1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-26 | 2022-04-28 | Xiaomi is newer, potentially longer software support |
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 162.5 x 76.7 x 8.5 mm | Galaxy A72 is slightly taller; overall similar size |
| Weight | 203g | 210g | Galaxy A72 is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen size |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 395 PPI | Virtually indistinguishable pixel density |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Poco F4 GT offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | Galaxy A72 much better visibility in bright sunlight; Poco F4 GT's brightness is unknown |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Poco F4 GT significantly faster for demanding tasks and gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,178,365 | Poco F4 GT offers dramatically better performance, app loading, and multitasking |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 730 | Poco F4 GT has significantly more powerful graphics processing |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.73, Sony IMX686 | Poco F4 GT has a slightly wider aperture, potentially better low light |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" | None | Galaxy A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait shots |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 20MP, f/2.4, 1/2", Sony IMX596 | Galaxy A72 has higher resolution, potentially sharper selfies and wider aperture for better low-light |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Omnivision OV8856 | Galaxy A72 captures more detailed wide-angle shots |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Galaxy A72 produces more detailed macro photos |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS; 1080p@60fps, EIS | 4K@60fps HDR; 1080p@120fps HDR | Poco F4 GT offers better video recording modes, HDR capabilities, and high frame rate; Samsung A72 offers electronic image stabilization (EIS) |
| DXOMark Score | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not Available | Galaxy A72 has a benchmark rating, Poco F4 GT does not |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, Quad Camera | Gimbal, LAF, Triple Camera | Different strengths in camera features |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | Galaxy A72 has slightly larger battery, may have slightly longer battery life |
| Charging | 25W | 120W | Poco F4 GT charges significantly faster, much less time spent plugged into a charger |
| Charger Included | 15W Charger Included | Not Specified | Samsung A72 comes with a charger included |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Poco F4 GT comes with a newer OS out of the box, likely to get more updates |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Poco F4 GT has faster and more reliable Wi-Fi, better performance in crowded networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Poco F4 GT has a newer Bluetooth version |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2) | Poco F4 GT supports more satellite systems for precise navigation |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer the same storage options |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | Poco F4 GT has more RAM, better multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports external storage |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Poco F4 GT offers better audio quality |
| Security & Build | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Poco F4 GT has more reliable and faster fingerprint unlock |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus | Poco F4 GT has superior screen protection |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, RGB | Both have a rich sensor suite, Poco F4 GT is more geared towards gamers with enhanced sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly higher brightness (800 nits) makes it much more usable in direct sunlight. This is crucial for outdoor use.
- Dedicated Telephoto Camera: Offers optical zoom and improved portrait capabilities, which is absent in Poco F4 GT.
- Slightly Larger Battery: Offers a marginally larger 5000mAh battery, potentially leading to longer battery life.
- Better front camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture.
- Better wide and macro lenses: Higher resolution lenses than Poco F4 GT.
- DXOMark score: Only phone that has been tested for camera performance.
Xiaomi Poco F4 GT Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset offers drastically superior performance for gaming and demanding applications, resulting in much smoother and faster user experience.
- Faster Display: 120Hz refresh rate makes animations and scrolling feel smoother than the 90Hz display of the Galaxy A72.
- Faster Charging: 120W charging speeds are dramatically faster than the 25W of the Galaxy A72, meaning much less time is spent plugged into a charger.
- Superior Audio: Hi-Res Audio and 3 microphones provide enhanced audio experience.
- Newer Software: Launched with Android 12, likely to receive more software updates.
- Newer WiFi standard: WiFi 6 and newer Bluetooth offers faster connection speeds.
- Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus provides much better protection against scratches and drops.
- Better fingerprint sensor: More convenient and responsive side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
- Better Video Recording: 4K@60fps with HDR, along with other high frame-rate recording.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A72 prioritizes camera versatility and outdoor visibility at the cost of processing power and charging speed.
- The Poco F4 GT focuses on performance, speed, and audio quality while sacrificing some camera features and outdoor display brightness.
- The lack of display brightness information on the Poco F4 GT is a significant concern, as is its poor performance in the DXOMark test when compared to the Galaxy A72.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Users who spend a lot of time outdoors and need good screen visibility in sunlight.
- Photography Lovers: Users who value camera versatility and want a good zoom/portrait camera.
- Moderate Users: Users who prioritize battery life and don't need the absolute best gaming performance.
- Budget Conscious: Users who are looking for a good all-around phone at a more reasonable price than a flagship.
- Users who care about a better front, wide and macro camera: Higher resolution in comparison to Poco F4 GT.
Use Cases:
- Taking photos and videos in various conditions, including outdoor settings.
- Long days of browsing, social media, and light gaming on the go.
- Everyday use with a focus on comfort and reliable performance.
Xiaomi Poco F4 GT Ideal User:
- Mobile Gamers: Users who want the best possible performance for demanding games.
- Power Users: Users who need a fast and responsive phone for heavy multitasking.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize high-quality audio and video consumption.
- Fast-Paced Users: People who appreciate extremely fast charging and don't want to wait long for their phone to charge.
- Users who value better overall specs: Superior processor, better display technology, faster charging.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games with high frame rates.
- Editing videos or photos on the go.
- Enjoying high-quality audio and video content.
- Power users who need very fast and responsive performance for everyday use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is display brightness for outdoor use? If you spend a lot of time outdoors, the Galaxy A72's brighter screen is essential.
- How important is gaming and overall performance? The Poco F4 GT offers significantly better performance for gaming and other demanding tasks.
- How important is fast charging speed? The Poco F4 GT charges much faster than the Galaxy A72.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Photography Enthusiast: The Galaxy A72 is the better choice due to its superior display brightness, dedicated telephoto lens, and better camera.
- Scenario 2: Hardcore Mobile Gamer: The Poco F4 GT is the clear winner with its vastly superior chipset, 120Hz refresh rate, and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Everyday User: If you want a balanced phone for daily use, a better display, and a versatile camera, the Galaxy A72 is a better choice. The Poco F4 GT is a better choice if you prioritize performance and fast charging, at the cost of camera quality and display brightness.
- Scenario 4: Budget User: If the Galaxy A72 is cheaper, this would be the option to choose. If Poco F4 GT is priced closely, then that is the clear winner.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F4 GT. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has advantages in camera versatility and outdoor brightness, the Poco F4 GT's raw performance and fast charging are too compelling to ignore. As a user who values performance for gaming and responsiveness for everyday tasks, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset provides a significantly smoother experience and provides far superior performance. The significantly faster charging speed of the Poco F4 GT is incredibly convenient and saves time spent waiting for the phone to charge.
