1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 163.7 × 76.4 × 7.8 mm | A72 slightly larger, thicker, noticeable in pocket. F3 slightly more compact, thinner, better one-handed use. |
| Weight | 203g | 196g | F3 slightly lighter, less fatiguing during extended use. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | F3 has superior screen protection and may be more resistant to scratches and damage |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer immersive experiences. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness, both are good for media consumption. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Virtually identical pixel density, no practical difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, excellent for viewing HDR content. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | F3 provides smoother scrolling and animations, better for gaming. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1300 nits | F3 significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | F3 offers far superior performance, faster app loading, better multitasking and gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 800,216 | F3 has much higher benchmark score, translates to noticeably smoother and faster operation in demanding apps & games. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 650 | F3 provides better graphics performance, which is important for gaming and demanding apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, 0.80µm, Sony IMX582 | A72: higher resolution photos. F3: larger sensor for potentially better low-light performance, wider aperture. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" sensor, 1.00µm, OIS | None | A72 has dedicated telephoto for zoomed images, F3 lacks optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | A72 captures wider shots; F3 lacks ultra-wide camera. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | A72 takes close-up macro shots, F3 lacks dedicated macro camera. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 20MP, f/2.45, 1/3.4" sensor, 0.80µm | A72 captures higher-resolution selfies, slightly wider aperture. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS, slow-mo 120fps | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@240/960fps with EIS, slow-mo 960fps | Both record high-quality video but F3 offers significantly higher slow motion capabilities and smoother EIS. |
| DXOMark | 92 (Mobile), 100 (Photo), 78 (Video) | Not Available | A72 is tested and has a good camera score (especially in photo). |
| Features | Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, OIS, PDAF, Night Mode | 4K Video, Triple camera | A72 offers more camera versatility, while F3 has a greater range of video recording options. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4520mAh | A72 may offer slightly longer battery life, especially with less intensive usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 33W fast charging | F3 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Tech | Li-Ion, 15W Charger included | Li-Polymer, QC3 + / PD3.0 | F3's battery tech and fast charging allows for quicker recharge times and a slight improvement in battery lifespan. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Versatile Camera System: Offers a dedicated telephoto, wide-angle, and macro lens, providing more flexibility for different shooting scenarios and optical zoom.
- Larger Battery: Provides slightly better battery life for heavy usage, if only marginally due to less powerful chipset.
- Higher Selfie Resolution: 32MP front camera for detailed and clear selfies.
- Better Camera Score: Has a proven DXOMark score.
Xiaomi Poco F3 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU, leading to smoother overall performance, especially in gaming and demanding applications, and for longer-lasting performance.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother animations and scrolling, higher quality display technology.
- Higher Brightness: Better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: The Xiaomi Poco F3 has 33W fast charging, compared to 25W on the Galaxy A72.
- Newer Bluetooth and Wifi Standards: Faster wireless speeds with modern technologies.
- Better video recording: The Xiaomi Poco F3 can record up to 960fps in slow motion.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Camera Versatility vs. Performance: The Galaxy A72 offers a more versatile camera system but sacrifices performance for it, while the Xiaomi Poco F3 prioritizes performance but has a less versatile camera setup.
- Battery Life vs Charging Speed: The Galaxy A72 has a larger battery, but the Xiaomi Poco F3 charges much faster.
- Screen Protection: The Xiaomi Poco F3 has superior screen protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Casual photographers who value a versatile camera system with different lenses.
- Users who prioritize battery life over raw performance, and dont mind the extra wait while charging.
- Users who prefer a traditional smartphone experience with extra camera features.
- Users who prioritize camera quality: Based on the DXOmark score, this phone would be better for those who take a lot of photos.
Use Cases:
- Capturing diverse photos with optical zoom, wide-angle, and macro lenses.
- Daily use with a focus on media consumption and moderate gaming.
- Casual users who want a reliable camera and good battery life.
Xiaomi Poco F3 Ideal User:
- Mobile gamers who need high performance and a smooth display with higher refresh rate.
- Power users who need fast app loading and smooth multitasking, and a future-proof device.
- Users who prioritize fast charging and outdoor visibility in sunny conditions, or more extensive video recording.
- Users who prioritize performance over camera versatility.
Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games and other high-intensity tasks.
- Using resource-intensive applications and multitasking frequently.
- Watching videos and media content, especially in bright sunlight.
- Extensive video recording.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is gaming/performance? If you're a gamer or need smooth multitasking, the Xiaomi Poco F3 is the clear choice.
- Do you prioritize camera versatility or better overall image quality? If you need optical zoom and multiple lenses, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is better. Otherwise, the Poco F3 with better main camera performance might be better.
- Do you prioritize battery life or fast charging? If you want a slightly longer battery life but dont mind longer charging times, go for the Samsung Galaxy A72. The Poco F3 offers significantly faster charging, which could be more important to some users.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent gamer and power user: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for its superior performance, 120Hz display, and faster charging.
- Scenario 2: Casual user who values photography: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its more versatile camera system and good battery life.
- Scenario 3: Someone who takes many photos: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72, as it has a better score from DXOmark and is better overall for camera enthusiasts.
- Scenario 4: Frequent traveler in bright conditions: Choose the Xiaomi Poco F3 for its significantly better brightness.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally go with the Xiaomi Poco F3. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a more versatile camera system and slightly longer battery life, the performance gap between the two is too significant to ignore. The Poco F3's Snapdragon 870 chipset provides a noticeably smoother experience in daily usage and demanding tasks. Additionally, the faster 120Hz refresh rate and higher brightness screen is also more attractive to me than the slightly longer battery life of the Samsung. While the camera versatility of the Galaxy A72 is nice, I believe the performance and modern wireless standards of the Poco F3 would be more useful to me on a day to day basis.
