1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco M5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 164 × 76.1 × 8.9 mm | A72 is slightly wider, M5 is slightly thicker; negligible differences for most users. |
| Weight | 203g | 201g | Virtually identical weight; very similar feel in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.58" | A72 offers slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2408 | Virtually indistinguishable sharpness; both are very sharp. |
| PPI | 394 | 401 | Negligible difference in pixel density; both displays appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72 has richer colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency for dark themes, better for media consumption and dark mode users. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both have smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 screen is much more visible outdoors in bright sunlight; M5's brightness is unspecified, likely significantly lower which will affect usability outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | MediaTek Helio G99 (6 nm) | M5's chipset is more powerful for gaming, faster app loading and smoother operation. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 414,500 | M5 significantly outperforms A72 in benchmarks; M5 offers more snappy and responsive experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Different GPUs will impact gaming differently based on specific game optimization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | 18W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | A72 charges faster, meaning less time tethered to the charger. Li-Polymer in M5 is generally more durable. |
| Features | Non-removable, 15W charger included | Non-removable | A72 comes with a fast charger, convenient out of the box. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | A72 captures more detailed images in good light due to its higher resolution, but M5 may have better low light performance, with a bigger sensor size. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | None | A72 has optical zoom, enabling closer shots without losing quality and a dedicated portrait lens with better background blur. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 5MP, f/2.2 | A72 takes much more detailed and higher quality selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | A72 is more versatile with the wide-angle lens for group photos and landscape shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | M5 provides depth information for software-based portrait modes. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | A72 offers higher resolution for better macro details. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps, Slow-motion: 120 fps | 1080p@30fps, Slow-motion: No | A72 can record much higher resolution video with stabilization and smoother 60fps option; better for video creators. |
| Features | OIS, Quad camera, Optical zoom | Ultra stable video, Triple camera | A72 provides additional hardware stabilization for photos and videos; M5 has software image stabilization only, which will impact quality. |
| DXO Mark | Main Score: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not tested | A72 has a better main camera and is known to perform well, according to DxoMark ratings. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | M5 has a newer OS out of the box, ensuring newer features and better long-term updates and support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display | 802.11ac, Dual band, Hotspot, Direct, Display, MiMO | Both have similar Wi-Fi performance, with MiMO added in the M5 for potentially better signal stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, with various profiles | 5.3, LE, with various profiles | M5 has newer Bluetooth for faster and more energy-efficient connections; both offer adequate connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Identical positioning accuracy for navigation. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM, Dual Standby | Dual Nano SIM, Dual Standby | Both devices allow for two SIM cards to be active simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 64/128 GB | A72 offers higher internal storage options; good for users storing large media and apps. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 4/6 GB | A72 has more RAM (8GB), allowing more apps to run in background; better for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports microSD card, so users are limited to internal storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio Features | A72 offers significantly better audio quality for music, videos and gaming, with richer sound and better sound separation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | M5's side-mounted fingerprint sensor may be faster and more ergonomic. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | A72 has more sensors that may enhance gaming and other apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen provides significantly better colors, contrast, and outdoor visibility compared to the IPS LCD on the Poco M5.
- Better Camera System: Includes telephoto, wide-angle, and higher-resolution front-facing cameras, offering greater versatility and quality, and optical image stabilization (OIS).
- Better Video Recording: Records up to 4K resolution with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) and slow-motion at 120fps.
- Better Audio: Features Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers, offering an improved multimedia experience.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 15W fast charger in the box.
- More RAM: Has options for 8 GB RAM, allowing for better multitasking.
- Gyroscope Sensor: Offers enhanced gaming experience.
- DXOMark Score: Has a good rating on the camera performance
Xiaomi Poco M5 Advantages:
- More Powerful Processor: The MediaTek Helio G99 offers superior performance, especially for gaming.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 12 out of the box, with an upgrade to Android 14, ensuring longer software support.
- Newer Bluetooth: Uses Bluetooth 5.3 with LE which provides more power efficiency.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Often perceived as more convenient than the under-screen sensor found in other phones.
Trade-offs:
- Galaxy A72: sacrifices performance for a better screen, camera system, and audio.
- Poco M5: prioritizes performance and a newer OS, at the expense of display, camera quality, and audio features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos, movies and enjoy rich colors and deep blacks, will benefit from the AMOLED screen with excellent audio.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera with good optical zoom capabilities and image quality for both photos and videos will appreciate the A72 camera system.
- Casual Gamers/Everyday Users: Those who aren't focused on graphically demanding games, but value smoothness, great screen, battery, camera and overall media consumption.
- Users of Samsung ecosystem: Those who are already in the Samsung ecosystem and value its features.
Xiaomi Poco M5 Ideal User:
- Gamers: Prioritizes performance for a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
- Power Users: Those who require a fast processor for multitasking and app loading.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Seeks a phone with strong performance at an affordable price point.
- Users looking for latest software: Those who value the latest software updates.
Specific Use Cases:
- Galaxy A72: Perfect for watching Netflix/Youtube on the go or in the bedroom, taking detailed photos and videos on vacation, and also good for social media content creators.
- Poco M5: Great for playing demanding mobile games, quickly switching between different apps, capturing some photos and videos on occasion.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? If you prioritize vibrant colors, deep blacks, and outdoor visibility, the A72's AMOLED is superior.
- How important is gaming and performance? If you want a smoother and faster experience for high graphic games and heavy app usage, the Poco M5 is better.
- How important is camera versatility? If you need a more flexible camera system with zoom and quality front camera, the A72 is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Consumption & Photography Focus: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. Its superior AMOLED display, versatile camera, and excellent audio make it ideal for enjoying movies, videos, and capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Scenario 2: Gaming & Performance Focus: Choose the Xiaomi Poco M5. The Helio G99 chipset delivers significantly better gaming and multitasking performance, and the newer OS will provide long term updates.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use & Budget: This depends on which areas are most important to you. If you prioritize the screen and camera and will sacrifice performance then A72 might be better, but if you value gaming and software over those, M5 might be better.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A72. While the Poco M5 offers better performance on paper, the AMOLED display, more versatile camera system with OIS, higher resolution video recording, better selfie camera, and superior audio experience provided by the A72 are more compelling for my personal use cases. I value media consumption and a high quality camera setup more than a slight performance bump in gaming. The AMOLED screen provides much better viewing angles and visibility in bright sunlight, while the Poco M5's display would be a big downgrade. Although the performance is worse compared to the Poco, the phone is still very smooth for everyday tasks and can handle most games decently, and for me the camera and screen are more important.
