1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco M5s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 160.5 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | A72 is slightly larger, M5s is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 203g | 178.8g | M5s is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.43" | A72 offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness for both screens |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 409 PPI | Very similar sharpness, negligible difference in practice. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both displays offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | A72's display is slightly smoother for scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1100 nits | M5s offers significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | M5s has a more powerful processor, leading to faster app loading and smoother operation. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 418,627 | M5s demonstrates superior performance for gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G76 MC4 | M5s offers better graphics performance for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.9 | A72 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4 | None | A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.4 | A72 captures higher-resolution selfies and better low-light pictures |
| Wide-angle | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | A72 captures wide-angle photos with more detail |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | A72 has a better macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Portrait (depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | M5s offers a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode |
| Video | 4K@30fps (with EIS) | 4K@30fps | Similar recording quality but A72 offers video stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | M5s charges faster, reducing charging times. |
| Features | 15W charger included | Reverse charging | M5s can act as a power bank for other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 12 | M5s has a newer OS version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi MiMO) | M5s has Wi-Fi MiMO for improved connectivity |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Both phones have Bluetooth 5.0 but have different supported protocols. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 64/128/256 GB | Both have similar storage options, with M5s also having a cheaper 64GB option. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Both have similar RAM, good for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both offer good audio, A72 has Dolby Atmos, while the M5s has Hi-Res Audio |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | M5s' side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more ergonomic. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | M5s offers better screen protection against scratches. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Display: A 6.7" screen is ideal for media consumption and multitasking, offering a more immersive viewing experience.
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto camera with optical zoom for versatile photography.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution 32MP front camera with a wider aperture for better selfies, especially in low light.
- Better Wide Angle Camera: Higher resolution 12MP wide-angle camera for capturing wide scenes.
- Video Stabilization: Better video recording with video stabilization for smoother recording.
- Dolby Atmos: Better audio quality with Dolby Atmos.
- More Bluetooth Protocols: More bluetooth protocols for better compatibility with different devices.
Xiaomi Poco M5s Advantages:
- Better Performance: The MediaTek Helio G95 chipset offers significantly higher performance, resulting in faster app loading and smoother gaming experience.
- Higher Display Brightness: 1100 nits peak brightness provides much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging is significantly faster than the 25W charging on the A72, reducing downtime.
- Lighter and More Compact: More ergonomic design, easier to handle and carry around for extended use.
- Newer Android version: Comes with Android 12 out of the box.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to use the phone as a power bank.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides superior screen protection.
- Hi-Res Audio: Good audio quality with Hi-Res Audio.
- More cost effective: Can be obtained at a lower price for similar performance.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A72 prioritizes camera versatility and screen size, sacrificing some performance compared to the Poco M5s.
- The Poco M5s excels in performance and display brightness but has a less feature-rich camera setup, missing a telephoto lens and has lower resolution for some cameras.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Media consumers, photography enthusiasts, users who prefer larger screens and camera versatility.
- Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos on the go.
- Taking photos with zoom and in different scenarios.
- Heavy multi-tasking.
- Value: Good choice if camera features are more important than raw performance.
Xiaomi Poco M5s:
- Ideal User: Gamers, users who value performance and battery life, individuals who need good outdoor screen visibility.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming on the go.
- Extended usage throughout the day.
- Using the phone in bright outdoor conditions.
- Users that value price over premium features.
- Value: Excellent performance and battery life at a more affordable price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is camera versatility? (telephoto lens, selfie quality)
- Do I prioritize display brightness and performance over screen size and cameras?
- What is my budget and am I willing to compromise some features for a more affordable price?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you frequently use your phone outdoors and play demanding games: Choose the Xiaomi Poco M5s for its higher brightness and processing power, as well as its lower price point.
- If you frequently use your phone to capture high quality pictures with more zoom: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its telephoto lens, selfie camera and video stabilization.
- If you want a versatile phone with a more compact form factor and better screen protection: Choose the Xiaomi Poco M5s.
- If you need the best performance at a budget-friendly price: Choose the Xiaomi Poco M5s for its superior performance and faster charging.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M5s.
Reasoning:
While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a larger display and a dedicated telephoto lens which are appealing, the Poco M5s aligns better with my priorities. The significantly faster performance, higher display brightness, and faster charging make a much bigger difference to my day to day usage. The compact and lightweight design makes it more comfortable to handle throughout the day, and the addition of Gorilla Glass 3 adds to peace of mind. Even though the camera system isn't as versatile, I feel that the primary camera and performance aspects of the M5s make it the better overall choice.
