1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 161.8 × 75.3 × 8.9 mm | A72 is taller and wider, M3 Pro is slightly thicker. May affect one-handed use & pocketability. |
| Weight | 203g | 190g | M3 Pro is lighter by 13g, potentially more comfortable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | A72 has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer same sharpness, crisp text, and images. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 405 PPI | Very similar sharpness in practice, negligible difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72 has superior color reproduction, deeper blacks, better contrast, and more efficient with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smoother scrolling and animations compared to 60Hz. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 screen significantly more visible outdoors, especially in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Different processors with varying performance characteristics, potentially better power efficiency on the M3 Pro 5G. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 379,761 | M3 Pro has higher benchmark score indicating faster performance in apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Different graphics processors that may impact gaming performance, M3 Pro 5G has a slight advantage. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 48MP, f/1.79 | A72 captures more detailed photos; M3 Pro has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4 | None | A72 offers optical zoom and dedicated portrait shots. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | A72 offers wide shots that M3 Pro lacks. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | A72 captures more detailed selfies; M3 Pro has a wider aperture. |
| Depth Camera | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | M3 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A72 provides higher resolution macro photos. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps (EIS) | 1080p@30fps | A72 shoots higher quality videos with stabilization. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 92 | Not Tested | A72 offers better photo quality and more features compared to M3 Pro 5G. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical Zoom, Quad Camera, Panorama, etc | Digital Zoom, Triple Camera, HDR, etc | A72 provides a more versatile photography experience with OIS and optical zoom. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should provide similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging (Li-Ion) | 18W fast charging (Li-Polymer) | A72 charges faster, potentially getting you back up to a full charge quicker. |
| Features | 15W Charger Included | Reverse Charging | A72 includes a charger; M3 Pro can be used as a power bank for other devices. |
| Software & Storage | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 11 | A72 has a confirmed software upgrade. |
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 64/128 GB | A72 offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 4/6 GB | A72 offers more RAM, ideal for heavy multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers the option to expand storage via microSD. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, dual-band | 802.11ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi MiMO | Both offer standard Wi-Fi, M3 Pro provides slightly faster Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | M3 Pro uses a newer Bluetooth version with low energy support. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio | A72 has an edge with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers, enhancing the audio quality. |
| Security & Build Quality | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | M3 Pro offers potentially faster and more convenient access to the device. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | M3 Pro is more resistant to scratches and impact on the screen. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. The 800 nits brightness is crucial for outdoor visibility.
- Versatile Camera System: Features a telephoto lens with optical zoom, a wide-angle lens, and higher resolution sensors, resulting in more flexibility for different shooting scenarios.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging gets you back to a full charge faster than the 18W of the M3 Pro.
- Enhanced Audio Experience: Includes Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for a richer audio output.
- Higher Storage and RAM options: The option for 256 GB storage and 8 GB of RAM is beneficial for users with larger media libraries and multitasking needs.
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G Advantages:
- Stronger Performance: Higher AnTuTu benchmark scores indicate potentially faster overall performance and smoother gaming.
- 5G Connectivity: Enables faster network speeds if available in your area.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 is more durable against scratches and accidental drops.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, acting as a power bank.
- Newer Bluetooth: Provides slightly better Bluetooth performance with lower energy usage.
- More modern security: The side mounted fingerprint reader is faster and more convenient than a basic one.
Trade-offs:
- A72: Lacks 5G, basic fingerprint reader, screen protection is unknown, and it's heavier than the M3 Pro.
- M3 Pro: IPS LCD screen is not as vibrant, weaker camera system, and lacks optical zoom. Slower charging speeds compared to A72.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal Users: Multimedia enthusiasts, photography lovers, and users who prioritize display quality.
- Use Cases:
- Watching videos, streaming, and consuming content.
- Taking photos in various conditions due to its versatile camera system.
- Users who need good visibility in bright sunlight.
- Those who use their phones for audio or listening to music with the enhanced audio setup.
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G:
- Ideal Users: Gamers, budget-conscious users who want 5G, and users seeking a longer lasting phone.
- Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games and running resource-intensive apps.
- Using 5G networks for faster data transfer.
- Users who value having a better security experience
- Those who occasionally need to charge other devices.
- Value: It has a better price-to-performance ratio, if available at similar costs, offers a significant performance advantage with 5G support.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to consider when choosing between these phones:
How important is display quality? If you prioritize a vibrant display, better contrast and outdoor visibility then the Samsung A72 is superior.
How important is camera versatility? If you want a more complete camera experience with more lenses, stabilization, and optical zoom, then go with the Samsung A72. If only basic, reliable photos will do, the Poco is sufficient.
- What is your primary use case? If you're a gamer or need 5G connectivity, or want better performance, or want more modern security, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G is better. If you are a multimedia consumer, or need higher quality photos/video then the Samsung A72 is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Media Consumption & Photography: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its superior AMOLED display, camera versatility, and excellent brightness.
- For Mobile Gaming and Performance on a Budget: Choose the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G for its higher benchmark scores, better screen protection and 5G capabilities.
- For Basic Users: The Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G provides a sufficient experience at a lower price.
What I Would Choose and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally go for the Samsung Galaxy A72. My reasons are as follows:
- Superior Display: As someone who frequently consumes media and reads on their phone, the AMOLED display is a significant advantage for me, as the difference in the quality will be noticeable. The brighter screen will also benefit me when I'm outside.
- Camera Versatility: I appreciate having optical zoom and a dedicated wide-angle lens, as it makes the camera more flexible for different situations. While I wouldn't be using my phone as my main camera, I still want the best photos I can get in a variety of situations.
- Audio Enhancement: The Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers will contribute to a better overall multimedia experience. Having a more immersive audio will benefit me when I want to watch something without using headphones.
While the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G offers better performance and 5G, these aren't my top priorities, and the trade-offs in terms of display and camera quality aren't worth it for my use cases. The A72 will provide a better overall experience for my daily usage even with it's more expensive cost.
