Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 163.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm | The A72 is slightly taller and wider, while the M4 Pro 5G is a bit thicker. The difference is minimal and unlikely to impact handling significantly. |
| Weight | 203g | 195g | The M4 Pro 5G is slightly lighter, which may be noticeable during extended use. |
| Build | Unspecified Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | M4 Pro 5G's screen has better scratch and minor impact protection. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | A72 has a slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of sharpness; pixel density is negligible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72 has a superior display with deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark themes, which is great for media consumption and general use. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both provide smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | The A72 offers dramatically better outdoor visibility, essential for use in bright sunlight. The lack of specification for the M4 Pro 5G suggests that it has significantly lower peak brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | The M4 Pro 5G's chipset is newer and more efficient, leading to better overall performance and power management. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 438,700 | The M4 Pro 5G demonstrates significantly better benchmark performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The M4 Pro 5G offers a more capable GPU for graphics-intensive tasks and gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.64µm | A72 has higher resolution, potentially capturing more detail in well-lit conditions. M4 Pro 5G has a larger sensor and pixel size for potentially better performance in low light. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm | None | A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, allowing for better zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.14µm | The A72 has higher resolution in its wide-angle lens, for slightly more detail in wide shots. Both phones offer good wide-angle options. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | A72 has a dedicated macro lens for taking detailed close-up photos. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | 16MP, f/2.45, 1.0µm | A72 has higher resolution front camera which can capture better detail, especially in daylight, and wider aperture for better low light performance. The M4 Pro 5G has a larger pixel size potentially capturing more light. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 1080p@60fps | A72 can record in higher resolution 4K, potentially capturing videos with better detail. Both phones offer good video recording and EIS capabilities. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 92 overall, 100 Photo, 78 Video | Not tested | The A72's camera performance is rated very good by DXOMark, suggesting a better overall camera system than the M4 Pro 5G. |
| Features | OIS, PDAF | Ultra stable video | The A72 has Optical Image Stabilization, which reduces blurriness. The M4 Pro 5G has ultra stable video mode, suggesting smooth video recording. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W, Li-Ion | 33W, Li-Ion Polymer | The M4 Pro 5G charges faster. |
| Features | 15W Charger in Box | None | The A72 includes a 15W charger, but the M4 Pro 5G charges faster. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen offers much better contrast, vibrant colors, and deeper blacks, and has better peak brightness for readability under sunlight.
- Better Camera System: A more versatile camera setup with higher resolution sensors, a telephoto lens, and a dedicated macro lens, plus OIS for sharper photos. Its DXOMark rating supports the higher quality camera.
- Included Charger: Comes with a charger in the box, although it is slower than the M4 Pro 5G's charging capabilities.
- Higher Resolution Video: Capable of recording in 4K.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G Advantages:
- Better Performance: A newer, more powerful chipset results in superior performance in benchmarks, better handling of resource-intensive apps, and better gaming performance.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging means shorter charging times.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 LE for more efficient connectivity.
- Slightly Lighter: More comfortable to hold for prolonged periods.
- Hi-Res Audio: Enhanced audio for a better listening experience, plus better audio pickup with dual microphones.
- Better Screen Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides an extra layer of protection for the display.
Trade-offs
- The A72 offers a more vibrant and brighter display and a better, more versatile camera system at the cost of overall performance.
- The M4 Pro 5G provides more processing power and faster charging, sacrificing some camera versatility and display quality and brightness.
- A72 has a better display, a more versatile camera but has lower performance and slower charging. The M4 Pro 5G is the opposite: lower display quality and less versatile camera but higher performance and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who enjoy watching videos, browsing photos, and appreciate a vibrant and bright display.
- Photography Lovers: Users who want a versatile camera system with telephoto, macro, and high-resolution sensors, and benefit from OIS for more stable photos.
- Casual Gamers: Its less powerful performance is fine for casual gaming.
Specific Use Cases:
- Watching movies on the go.
- Taking a variety of photos in different scenarios, including zoomed shots and macro photography.
- Casual social media use, enjoying the vibrancy of the AMOLED screen.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Users who want a device with strong processing power for smooth gaming and multitasking.
- Performance Seekers: Individuals who value a fast and responsive device for everyday tasks.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those looking for a phone with good performance at a reasonable price.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphic-intensive mobile games.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously without lag.
- Enjoying music with Hi-Res audio.
- Users looking for a phone that charges rapidly.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Display Priority: Is a vibrant and bright AMOLED screen with deeper blacks and better contrast more important, or is a less-bright IPS screen sufficient?
- Performance Needs: Is top-tier performance and faster charging essential for your use case, or is a more modest chipset sufficient?
- Camera Versatility: Do you need a versatile camera system with features like telephoto and macro lenses, or is the basic camera on the M4 Pro 5G adequate?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography Lover & Casual Media User: If you prioritize camera versatility and a high-quality display for media consumption, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer & Performance Seeker: If you need a phone that can handle demanding games and tasks with smooth performance, the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G will provide a better experience.
- Scenario 3: All-Arounder: If you need an all-around phone that performs well in most categories, consider the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G if you can sacrifice a little display and camera quality for performance and charging speed.
My Choice
Based on my analysis, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has a superior display and a more versatile camera system, the performance difference is substantial, and the faster charging is a significant advantage for daily use. The Poco M4 Pro 5G's performance and faster charging outweigh the benefits of the AMOLED screen for me as a user, and the lack of peak brightness for the Poco isn't a significant drawback as it still likely provides good brightness. The lack of versatility in the camera is a trade-off I am willing to make for overall better performance in my most common use cases.
