1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 161.1 × 75 × 7.9 mm | Poco F5 is more compact and easier to handle, A72 slightly bulkier. |
| Weight | 203g | 181g | Poco F5 feels lighter and more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference, both offer large viewing areas. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness and clarity. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 395 PPI | Virtually indistinguishable in terms of sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Vibrant colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Poco F5 has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 offers dramatically better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Poco F5's brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | Poco F5 delivers significantly faster performance, better for gaming and heavy apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,134,558 | Poco F5 is substantially faster, smoother for multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 725 | Poco F5's GPU offers much better graphics performance, crucial for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.8 | 64MP f/1.79, 1/2" sensor, OV64B, 0.7 µm pixels | Poco F5 has slightly wider aperture, potentially better in low light. |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP f/2.4, 1/4.4" sensor, OV08A10, 1.00 µm pixels | Not Available | A72 has optical zoom capabilities for better portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2, 0.80 µm pixels | 16MP f/2.45, 1/3.1" sensor, S5K3P9, 1.12 µm pixels | A72 takes higher resolution selfies; Poco F5 has larger pixels for potentially better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12MP f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixels | 8MP f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor, IMX355, 1.12 µm pixels | A72 captures wider angle photos with slightly higher resolution. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP f/2.4, 1.12 µm pixels | 2MP f/2.4, 1/5" sensor, GC02M1, 1.75 µm pixels | A72 offers higher macro resolution, while Poco F5 has larger pixels for potentially better low-light macros. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@120fps with EIS | Both offer good video quality; Poco F5 has 1080p@120fps for better slow-motion. |
| Camera DxOMark | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not Available | A72's camera is rated by DxOMark; no data available for Poco F5. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life expected. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging, Li-Ion | 67W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Poco F5 charges significantly faster. |
| Charger Included | 15W | Not Specified | A72 Includes a charger, charging is unknown for the Poco F5 |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (max 12) | Android 13 (max 14) | Poco F5 has a newer operating system, potentially better security and features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6) | Poco F5 has faster and more stable Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Poco F5 has a more modern, efficient Bluetooth standard. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Poco F5 has more precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Full Active | Poco F5 allows use of two SIM cards while on a call. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB | Poco F5 has only 256GB |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | Poco F5 offers more RAM for better multitasking and smoother performance |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Poco F5 has more advanced audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Poco F5 offers more convience with side mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco F5 offers better screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Better Outdoor Visibility: Significantly higher screen brightness (800 nits), which is critical in sunny conditions.
- Telephoto Camera: Offers optical zoom, a valuable feature for portrait photography and getting closer to subjects without quality loss.
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: 32 MP Front Camera, good for high quality selfies and video conferencing
- DXOMark Camera Rating: Samsung has been tested for camera quality, providing some reassurance in this area.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset provides substantially faster performance for gaming, multitasking, and app loading.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging is much quicker than the A72's 25W, critical for users with limited time to charge.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz refresh rate delivers smoother animations and a more responsive user interface.
- Modern Software: Ships with Android 13 (upgradeable to 14) offering better security and the latest features.
- Advanced Audio: Hi-Res Audio and a noise cancellation microphone, offering better audio quality.
- Modern Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster and more reliable connections.
- More RAM Options: Up to 12 GB of RAM, offers smoother multitasking and faster switching between applications
Trade-offs:
- The Poco F5 lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, relying on digital zoom, and its brightness is unknown.
- The Samsung A72’s older chipset falls far behind the Poco F5 in performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: The brighter screen makes it easier to use in sunny environments.
- Casual Photographers: Users who value having a telephoto lens for portrait shots and zoom capabilities will appreciate the A72’s camera setup.
- Users who value a Known Camera: Users who prefer a camera that has been benchmarked and ranked by DxOMark.
- Budget-conscious users: If the price point is significantly lower, the A72 offers a usable but older experience.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Outdoor Photography: Capturing photos in daylight, where the high screen brightness is beneficial.
- Casual Social Media: Sharing photos with friends and family where the front facing camera's high resolution is valuable.
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Poco F5:
- Gamers: The powerful chipset and high refresh rate are ideal for mobile gaming.
- Power Users: Those who frequently multitask or use demanding apps will appreciate the extra RAM and processing power.
- Users who value future proofing: The newer chip and software ensure longer usability.
- Users who value fast charging: Users who value less time plugged into the wall.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Poco F5:
- Mobile Gaming: Playing demanding games with high frame rates and responsiveness.
- Video Editing: Smooth rendering and editing thanks to the powerful processor.
- General Multitasking: Seamless switching between multiple apps.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance? If gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking are priorities, the Poco F5 is superior.
- How important is outdoor screen visibility? The A72’s bright screen is essential for outdoor use in bright sunlight.
- How much do you value fast charging? The Poco F5 charges much faster, a significant convenience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor photography in sunny conditions is essential: The Samsung A72 is the clear choice due to its brightness.
- Scenario 2: Demanding tasks and gaming are frequent: The Xiaomi Poco F5 offers a superior experience due to its faster performance and higher refresh rate.
- Scenario 3: Both budget and performance are important: The Xiaomi Poco F5 offers significantly more performance and newer software. However, the price and availability could be a factor.
- Scenario 4: User Values Battery Charging Time: The Xiaomi Poco F5 is the clear choice with 67W charging over 25W charging on the Samsung.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F5. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has its merits, specifically the high screen brightness, the performance gap between the two phones is simply too vast to ignore. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chip in the Poco F5 is a significant upgrade for general usage, gaming, and multitasking. Additionally, the faster charging is extremely convenient, and the newer software version provides a more future-proof experience. The lack of outdoor brightness is a trade off, but not an essential feature to me. The Poco F5 offers superior overall performance for daily usage.
