1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 162.8 × 75.4 × 8.6 mm | A72 is slightly taller and wider; F5 Pro is slightly thicker. Overall, both have very similar sizes in hand. |
| Weight | 203g | 204g | Both phones feel similar in hand in terms of weight. |
| Build Material | (Not Specified) | (Not Specified) | Build quality information is missing from this data set for both phones |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Almost identical display sizes, negligible difference in hand. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1440x3200 | F5 Pro has much sharper and detailed images and text due to its higher resolution. |
| PPI | 394 | 526 | F5 Pro's higher pixel density provides noticeably clearer and crisper visuals. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | F5 Pro's 120Hz provides a slightly smoother scrolling and animation experience. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1400 nits | F5 Pro offers significantly better outdoor visibility and readability in bright sunlight. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | F5 Pro offers better protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | F5 Pro's chipset provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance; A72's is noticeably slower. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 1,317,798 | The F5 Pro performs dramatically better, indicating a major difference in overall speed and performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 730 | The F5 Pro's Adreno 730 handles graphics-intensive tasks (gaming) significantly better. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Main | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.70µm, 1/2", Omnivision OV64B | F5 Pro has a slightly wider aperture and larger sensor; It likely performs slightly better in low light. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm, Omnivision OV08A10 | None | A72 offers optical zoom capability for better zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12µm, Omnivision OV08D10 | A72 captures slightly more details with its higher resolution sensor. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm, Omnivision OV02B10 | A72 has a higher resolution macro lens, potentially producing more detailed close-up shots. |
| Front Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.00µm, Omnivision OV16A1Q | A72 has higher resolution selfie shots, but F5 Pro has a larger pixel size. Both should be very similar in real-world image quality. |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | F5 Pro offers significantly higher video resolution, suitable for high-end video recording. |
| Video Stabilization | EIS on all resolutions | EIS on all resolutions | Both offer digital stabilization for smoother video recording. |
| Slow Motion | 120 fps | 1920 fps | F5 Pro can record at much higher slow motion speeds. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not Specified | The A72 has been tested by DXOMark and shown to have a good photo score, but a weaker video score. The F5 Pro's camera performance is unknown from provided data. |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | Flicker sensor, Noise reduction, 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Both have similar features. The F5 Pro has more video features and the ability to shoot RAW images. The A72 offers Optical zoom and Quad Camera. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5160mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity, likely providing comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging, 30W Wireless Charging | F5 Pro charges much faster and offers the added convenience of wireless charging. |
| Charger Included | 15W Fast Charger | None Specified | A72 ships with a slower 15W charger, while it's unknown if the F5 Pro includes one. |
Software, Connectivity, and Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 13 | F5 Pro offers a newer version of Android with potentially better security, features, and performance. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | F5 Pro's WiFi 6 offers faster speeds and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | F5 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version offering more stable and efficient connections. |
| 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), QZSS (L1 + L5) | F5 Pro supports more satellite systems for more accurate positioning, especially in challenging locations. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | F5 Pro offers more storage options and base storage. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8/12 GB | F5 Pro offers more RAM, beneficial for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | F5 Pro has a slight edge in audio quality. |
| Security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer standard fingerprint biometric security. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Telephoto Camera: Offers dedicated optical zoom, which is missing on the F5 Pro, beneficial for zoomed photos.
- Higher Resolution Macro & Wide Cameras: A72's macro and wide camera sensors have more megapixels than the F5 Pro.
- Included Charger: It is known that the A72 includes a charger, but it is a slower 15W charger.
- DXOMark Tested: While the DXOMark scores are somewhat outdated, they provide at least some benchmark information for this phone.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers dramatically better CPU and GPU performance, making it faster for gaming, multitasking, and app loading.
- Superior Display: Offers a sharper, brighter, and smoother display with higher resolution, brightness, and refresh rate.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: Much faster wired charging and the convenience of wireless charging.
- More Advanced Video Features: 8K video recording and higher slow-motion capabilities
- Newer Software: Ships with a newer version of Android (13 vs 11 on the A72) with expected security and feature enhancements.
- Better Connectivity: Faster Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 support for better wireless performance.
- More Storage & RAM Options: Comes with more internal storage and RAM options, offering better multitasking and storage management.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 versus an unknown glass protection standard on the A72.
- Better GPS: Supports a better GPS standard for better accuracy.
- Hi-Res Audio: Features hi-res audio, for potentially better sound quality.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A72's Telephoto lens is beneficial for taking zoomed in pictures and optical zoom, while the F5 Pro sacrifices this for a better all-around experience.
- The Samsung Galaxy A72's macro lens and wide angle cameras are slightly higher resolution, but it sacrifices better performance for this.
- The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro lacks a charger in the box, requiring a separate purchase.
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 has a lower resolution and slower front-facing camera, compared to the F5 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Casual users who prioritize camera versatility over raw performance and are budget-conscious.
- Use Cases: General photography, social media browsing, light gaming, watching videos. Optical Zoom and having four camera lenses makes this phone ideal for those who want a flexible camera.
- Price-to-Value: The A72 offers a decent camera system, with a telephoto lens, for a potentially lower price.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, gamers, and content creators who prioritize performance, display quality, and fast charging.
- Use Cases: Heavy gaming, video editing, content creation, watching high-resolution videos, and demanding multitasking.
- Price-to-Value: The F5 Pro offers excellent specifications for the price, making it a high-value option for those wanting top performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance? If gaming, heavy multitasking, and fast app loading are priorities, the F5 Pro is the clear choice.
- What are your primary camera needs? If optical zoom is a must, the A72 is an option; otherwise, F5 Pro's better video capabilities and image processing are advantageous.
- What is your budget? If you are looking for the most budget-friendly option, the A72 is an option, but if you're willing to spend more for a top-tier experience, the F5 Pro should be your choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget Casual User): If you want a decent phone for everyday use, with some flexibility in camera options and prefer a lower price, the Samsung Galaxy A72 might be suitable.
- Scenario 2 (Performance Enthusiast): If you are a gamer or a power user who demands the best performance, screen quality, and fastest charging, the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is a better choice, even if it costs slightly more.
- Scenario 3 (Camera Centric User): If you take a lot of zoomed in photos or want the flexibility of four camera lenses, then the Samsung A72 is a better choice. However, if you are recording videos or prefer better dynamic range, the F5 Pro is a better option.
Conclusion
If raw power is the most important factor, the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is the better option by a long shot. Its superior performance and display quality make it a much better choice for gamers and those who want the best user experience, especially if you're more invested in recording videos and consuming media. The Samsung A72 is a good choice for a more casual user, but the F5 Pro offers much more value at the price and is, overall, a much better smartphone.
My choice: Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
The dramatically superior performance, display, and charging speed of the F5 Pro outweigh the A72's advantage in camera versatility and included charger. The F5 Pro is much better suited to power users and anyone wanting a phone that will age well over the next few years. The lack of a Telephoto lens is not a big loss and in most scenarios, the other camera sensors on the F5 Pro should be comparable or better than the A72. The newer software, wifi and bluetooth standards also make it the more future-proof device.
