Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-26 | 2024-01-12 | Poco M6 Pro is significantly newer, likely with more up-to-date software and features. |
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm, 203g | 161.1 x 75 x 8 mm, 179g | Poco M6 Pro is more compact and lighter, potentially more comfortable for one-handed use and prolonged periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen size. Both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of sharpness, suitable for daily use and media consumption. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Virtually identical pixel density; sharpness is indistinguishable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Poco M6 Pro provides a smoother experience with 120Hz, particularly noticeable in animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1800 nits | Poco M6 Pro has much better visibility under bright sunlight and outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra | Poco M6 Pro's chipset offers significantly better performance for gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 450,000 | Poco M6 Pro has much higher benchmark score, indicating faster app loading and better responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Poco M6 Pro is expected to deliver better graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity; both should provide a full day of use for average users. |
| Charging | 25W | 67W | Poco M6 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing time spent waiting. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm pixels | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.7µm pixels, 1/2" sensor | Poco M6 Pro has a slightly wider aperture, which theoretically should improve low-light performance, slightly larger sensor size. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" sensor, 1.0µm pixels | None | Galaxy A72 has a telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm pixels | 16MP, 1/3.06" sensor, 1.0µm pixels | Galaxy A72 has a higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixels | None | Galaxy A72 has a dedicated ultrawide lens for capturing wider scenes. |
| Portrait (depth) | None | 2MP, f/2.45, 1/5" sensor, 1.75µm pixels | Poco M6 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for improved bokeh effects. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm pixels | None | Galaxy A72 has a macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Wide + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" sensor, 1.14µm pixels | Poco M6 Pro combines Wide and Macro capabilities into single lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 1080p@60fps with EIS | Galaxy A72 can record 4K video; Both offer stabilization, with Poco M6 Pro having higher slow-motion capture. |
| DxoMark | Main: 92; Photo: 100; Video: 78 | None | Galaxy A72 has good camera results, while Poco M6 Pro does not have camera scores available |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 12 | Android 13 | Poco M6 Pro has a more modern OS, likely with the latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac + MiMO | Similar Wi-Fi standards; Poco M6 Pro has additional Wi-Fi MiMO for enhanced performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Poco M6 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version with better energy efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Poco M6 Pro offers more satellite systems for better location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Poco M6 Pro has a 512GB storage option for users with large storage needs. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Poco M6 Pro has a 12GB RAM option for power users. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Poco M6 Pro supports Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both devices provide basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unkown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco M6 Pro provides superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic, Hall | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Poco M6 Pro uses a different proximity sensor and includes a gravity sensor. Samsung includes Hall sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities, enabling closer shots without digital distortion.
- Dedicated Wide Angle & Macro Lenses: Provides more creative options with separate lenses, although not all users will need all lenses.
- 4K Video Recording: Higher resolution video recording for sharper videos, potentially important for video creators.
- DXOMARK Score: Has a published camera score.
Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra chipset offers superior processing power, resulting in snappier performance.
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Smoother display experience for everyday use and gaming.
- Much Higher Brightness: Excellent outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster battery charging which is a plus.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13, providing a more modern user experience.
- More RAM options and Storage: Comes in a 12 GB ram configuration and up to 512 GB storage, providing a better option for power users.
- Better Build Quality: It has a superior screen protection
Trade-offs:
- Camera System: While the Poco M6 Pro has a capable primary sensor, it lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, macro and wide angle lens found on the A72, and 4K video recording, limiting creative options.
- Software: The Samsung Galaxy A72's Android experience might be preferred by users familiar with Samsung's ecosystem.
- Physical Size: The Galaxy A72 is slightly bulkier than the Poco M6 Pro.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize versatile camera features, including optical zoom, wide-angle, and macro photography, as well as 4K Video recording. Users who prefer the Samsung ecosystem.
- Use Cases:
- Photography enthusiasts wanting to capture various scenes with different lenses.
- Casual video creators who benefit from 4K video.
- Users already invested in the Samsung ecosystem.
Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers and power users who prioritize performance, speed, and a smoother display experience, or users who often work outdoors
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers who need a high refresh rate and a fast chipset.
- Users who frequently multitask or use demanding apps.
- Users who need a brighter screen for outdoor use.
- Users who desire the latest android version.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize a versatile camera system with zoom capabilities, or is raw performance more crucial? If the former, the Galaxy A72 could be suitable, if the latter, the Poco M6 Pro is the choice.
- Do you use your phone often in bright sunlight? If so, the Poco M6 Pro’s significantly brighter display is highly beneficial.
- How important are the newest software features and future updates for you? If having the newest android version and software updates are important, the Poco M6 Pro is the clear winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Photography and Video:
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A72 offers more camera versatility with its dedicated telephoto, macro and wide angle cameras, but limited to 4K30fps.
- Scenario 2: Gaming & High-Performance Apps:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro excels with its superior chipset, 120Hz refresh rate and more ram.
- Scenario 3: Everyday Use & Media Consumption:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro provides a snappier, smoother experience due to the newer and better chipset, while the screen has better outdoor visibility due to its higher brightness.
My Choice and Why
Based on my analysis, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M6 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 720G in the Samsung Galaxy A72 is significantly outmatched by the Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra. The Poco M6 Pro will offer a noticeably smoother and more responsive user experience for daily tasks and demanding apps.
- Display: The 120Hz refresh rate and the drastically higher brightness of the Poco M6 Pro make it far superior for everyday usability, especially in outdoor conditions.
- Charging Speed: The 67W fast charging is a game-changer, drastically reducing the time needed to recharge the phone.
- Newer Software: The Poco M6 Pro ships with Android 13, making it a more future-proof option than the Galaxy A72 which is upgradable only to Android 12.
- Build Quality: The Poco M6 Pro has a better screen protection with the Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
While the Samsung Galaxy A72's camera system has some advantages with the Telephoto and dedicated wide angle lenses, the improvements in performance, display, charging, and build quality of the Poco M6 Pro are more important for my daily usage. The Poco M6 Pro is a more well-rounded phone that will offer a better experience.
