Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Xiaomi Poco M4 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm | Similar size, A72 slightly wider, M4 5G slightly thicker; negligible difference in pocketability. |
| Weight | 203g | 200g | Virtually identical weight, both feel substantial in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.58" | A72 has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Both offer sharp visuals; the difference in resolution is negligible. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 401 | Both screens are sharp and detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72's AMOLED provides deeper blacks, richer colors, better contrast, and more efficient dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smoother scrolling and animations compared to 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight; M4 5G brightness data is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | M4 5G has a slightly more efficient processor based on smaller node size. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 381,300 | M4 5G offers faster app loading and smoother overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Different GPUs; M4 5G has a more powerful GPU in benchmark scores and should provide better graphic performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should have similar battery life for daily usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 18W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | A72 charges faster; Li-Ion vs Li-Polymer is negligibly different. |
| Battery Features | 15W Charger Included | Reverse Charging | A72 Includes charger; M4 5G can charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP f/1.8 | 13MP f/2.2 | A72 has significantly higher resolution and a wider aperture for better low-light photos. |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP f/2.4 | Not Available | A72 has dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.2 | Not Available | A72 has wide-angle lens for capturing more in a scene. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP f/2.4 | Not Available | A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Depth Sensor | Not Available | 2MP f/2.4 | M4 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.2 | 5MP f/2.2 | A72 offers much higher resolution for detailed selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | A72 records higher-quality video with stabilization; M4 5G only does 1080p. |
| Slow-motion Video | 120fps | Not Available | A72 has slow-motion capabilities where the M4 5G does not. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 | M4 5G runs the latest version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both have similar WiFi capabilities; M4 5G has Wi-Fi MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | M4 5G uses a newer version with LE (Low Energy). |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both offer similar GPS capabilities for navigation. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256GB | 64 GB or 128GB | A72 offers higher storage options, beneficial for users who store a lot of media. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | A72 offers more RAM for better multitasking and gaming performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | A72 offers more immersive audio experience with dedicated features and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | M4 5G has a more advanced sensor for better ergonomics. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | M4 5G has better protection from everyday scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Hall, Geomagnetic | - | A72 has more sensors for a better user experience, better gaming features |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher brightness for better outdoor visibility and vibrant colors.
- More Versatile Cameras: Quad-camera system with telephoto, wide-angle, and macro lenses for diverse photography needs, and higher resolution sensors.
- Better Video Recording: Capable of recording 4K video with stabilization.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging compared to 18W on the Poco M4 5G.
- Higher Storage and RAM Options: Up to 256 GB storage and 8GB RAM for more storage and better multitasking.
- Better Audio: Offers better audio separation and immersion due to its Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G Advantages:
- Newer Chipset and Performance: More powerful chipset providing faster performance.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 LE for lower power consumption.
- More Advanced Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is generally more convenient.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides more protection.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 12 out of the box
Trade-offs:
- The A72 offers superior display, camera versatility, and audio, but the Poco M4 5G provides faster performance, a more convenient fingerprint scanner and reverse charging.
- Both lack expandable storage, which is a major trade-off for some users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Media enthusiasts, photography lovers, users who prioritize screen quality, and those who need more storage.
- Use Cases:
- Watching videos or movies in bright environments due to the high-brightness AMOLED screen.
- Capturing detailed photos and videos in various scenarios using the multiple camera lenses.
- Enjoying immersive audio experiences with enhanced spatial audio.
- Multitasking with more ram and storage for apps and media files.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G:
- Ideal User: Gamers, users on a budget, and those who want a smooth experience.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with faster and more efficient processing.
- Longer battery life due to a more efficient chipset.
- Charging other devices as an emergency option
- Enjoying a more convenient security system.
- Everyday tasks where smooth performance is a must
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality, camera versatility and Audio? If these are crucial, the A72 is the better option due to its AMOLED screen, multiple camera lenses and better audio quality.
- How important is performance and gaming? The M4 5G is better for these aspects due to its more powerful chipset.
- What is your budget, and which features do you value most? If you are on a budget, the M4 5G may be more appealing given its overall value proposition with reverse charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: A user loves taking photos, enjoys watching videos, and prefers a high-quality screen. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A72.
- Scenario 2: A user needs a phone for mobile gaming and everyday performance at a good price. Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco M4 5G.
- Scenario 3: A user needs a budget-friendly phone with a long battery life, decent performance and reverse charging for emergencies. Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco M4 5G.
- Scenario 4: A user loves quality audio, stereo speakers and needs more storage for large media files. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A72
Personal Choice
If I had to choose, I would lean towards the Samsung Galaxy A72. While the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G provides a newer chipset and better gaming performance, the A72’s vastly superior AMOLED display and more flexible camera system cater better to my personal usage, which involves a lot of media consumption and photography. The higher storage and RAM capacity are also big pluses. The A72 provides a richer, more complete experience for my needs, making it worth the trade-off in processing power.
