1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 163.2 × 76 × 7.7 mm | A72 is slightly larger and thicker; F4 is more compact and may feel better in hand |
| Weight | 203g | 195g | F4 is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference; Both offer immersive viewing experiences |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp and clear visuals; no practical difference |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Both offer very similar pixel density, meaning similar visual clarity |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both displays |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | F4 has a smoother visual experience due to higher refresh rate, especially when scrolling and gaming |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1300 nits | F4 offers superior outdoor visibility, making it much easier to use in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) | F4 offers significantly faster performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 861,200 | F4 delivers over 200% higher benchmark score, resulting in a much snappier and more fluid experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 650 | F4 offers considerably better graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | A72 has a larger battery and is expected to provide longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 25W | 67W | F4 charges much faster, minimizing downtime |
| Charger Included | 15W Charger Included | None | A72 includes a charger, F4 does not |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.70µm, 1/2" OV64B | F4's main sensor has a slightly wider aperture and larger sensor size, possibly allowing slightly better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" OV08A10, 1.00µm | None | A72 has a dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom. F4 does not have optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12µm OV8856 | A72 captures wider scenes with slightly higher resolution; F4 is adequate for wide shots |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm GC02M1 | A72 captures higher-resolution macro shots; F4's macro is lower resolution |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2" IMX596, 0.80µm | A72 has higher resolution selfie camera with wider aperture for potentially better detail in selfies |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 4K@60fps, 1080p@60fps | Both offer excellent video recording; F4 offers 4K at 60fps and slow motion at 960fps |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not Tested | A72 has a tested mobile camera score. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (max 12) | Android 12 (max 13) | F4 offers more recent Android version with newer features and potentially longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | F4 offers faster Wi-Fi speeds and better performance in crowded networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | F4 offers better energy efficiency and potentially improved connectivity |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | F4 supports more satellite systems, potentially resulting in better location accuracy |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both offer sufficient storage options for most users |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 6GB or 8GB or 12GB | F4 offers a 12 GB RAM option for better multitasking, especially with many apps or browser tabs open. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, limiting storage to the built-in capacity. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | F4 has enhanced spatial audio, higher quality audio playback and better voice capture with dual mics. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | F4's side-mounted sensor is typically faster and easier to access compared to basic sensors, often embedded in the screen. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | F4 has better screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery provides extended battery life for users who need all-day power without frequent charging.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing users to get closer to subjects without significant loss of quality, especially useful for photographers.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Provides more detailed and higher quality selfies, ideal for social media enthusiasts.
- Includes a Charger: Comes with a 15W fast charger in the box.
Xiaomi Poco F4 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset offers superior performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps, leading to smoother overall user experience.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes animations and scrolling feel much more fluid.
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits brightness ensures great outdoor visibility even in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging dramatically reduces charging time, allowing for quick power-ups.
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and better GPS support provide modern connectivity features and more accurate location tracking.
- More RAM Option: Offers a 12GB RAM variant for enhanced multitasking and future-proofing.
- Improved Audio: Hi-Res Audio and dual microphones enhance the audio experience for playback and recording.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides enhanced protection against scratches and impacts
- More recent Android: The phone runs Android 12 out of the box and should have access to a newer Android version.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A72 trades raw performance for a larger battery and a dedicated telephoto camera, while the Poco F4 prioritizes speed, display quality, and charging speed at the cost of a slightly smaller battery and the lack of a telephoto lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value a versatile camera system with optical zoom capabilities and a high-resolution selfie camera.
- Users Needing All-Day Battery: Individuals who prioritize battery life and prefer not to worry about charging frequently.
- Casual Users: Those who don't need top-tier performance but appreciate a solid all-around device with a good display and camera.
Use Cases for Galaxy A72:
- Taking pictures with optical zoom in outdoor environments
- Casual gaming with good battery life
- General daily use with a reliable camera and good battery life
- Users that prefer to have a charger included
Xiaomi Poco F4 Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Those who need high performance and smooth graphics for demanding games.
- Power Users: Those who frequently multitask and require a responsive and snappy device.
- Media Consumption: Users who prioritize a smooth, vibrant, and bright display for video streaming and browsing.
- Users who want fast charging and modern connectivity: Those who need to charge quickly and appreciate the benefits of Wi-Fi 6 and modern Bluetooth
- Users who want the latest Android Version
- Users who want better screen protection
Use Cases for Poco F4:
- Playing graphics-intensive games
- Multitasking between multiple apps
- Watching videos and streaming media in varying lighting conditions
- Fast charging during short breaks
- Users who need accurate location tracking and reliable Wi-Fi
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Poco F4 generally offers a better price-to-performance ratio, providing significantly higher performance and a better display for a potentially similar price or slightly more. The Samsung Galaxy A72 might be a better option if you are able to find it at a significant discount and value the telephoto camera, or a larger battery.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance to you? (Gaming, multitasking, app snappiness)
- What do you prioritize more: battery life or charging speed?
- What type of camera features do you value the most? (Optical zoom vs low-light performance)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gaming: If you're an avid mobile gamer, the Xiaomi Poco F4 is the clear choice with its superior chipset, GPU, 120Hz display, and faster charging.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: If you prioritize versatile photography with optical zoom and a high-resolution selfie camera, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is better.
- Scenario 3: Long Battery Life: If you need a phone that lasts all day without charging often, the Samsung Galaxy A72 provides a larger battery at the expense of raw performance.
- Scenario 4: Everyday Usage: For most general users, the Xiaomi Poco F4 provides a better all around experience due to a higher performing chipset, faster charging, better screen protection and a more recent Android version.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco F4. Here's why:
While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has a few compelling features like the larger battery and telephoto lens, the overall experience of the Poco F4 is superior for my needs. The significant performance boost from the Snapdragon 870, combined with the smoother 120Hz display and dramatically faster 67W charging, would make day-to-day use much more enjoyable. I also highly value a bright display and modern connectivity options, both of which are strengths of the Poco F4. The lack of expandable storage is a bummer in both phones, but with 256GB as an option, it's not a deal breaker. Although the Samsung A72's camera setup has strengths, the Poco F4 is not that far behind, and the improved overall performance outweighs a slightly more versatile camera system for me. I am also a fan of updated software and the F4 will have an extra year of support over the Samsung. Finally, the improved screen protection and better price to performance ratio make the F4 a better value.
