1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 163.6 × 74.3 × 8.9 mm | A72 is taller and wider, while the X4 GT is slightly thicker. The A72 might feel larger in hand. |
| Weight | 203g | 200g | Both are similar in weight, making them feel comparable in hand. |
| Build | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | X4 GT offers better scratch and drop resistance for daily use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | A72 offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Both offer similar sharpness. Minimal difference in pixel density. |
| PPI | 394 | 407 | The X4 GT is slightly sharper, but the difference is barely noticeable. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72 provides more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency for dark themes. Better for media consumption and always-on displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | X4 GT offers much smoother animations and scrolling, making it feel more responsive, especially in games and fast scrolling. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | The A72 has much better visibility in bright sunlight for better outdoor usage. Brightness for X4 GT is not known |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8100 (5 nm) | X4 GT is much faster, offering smoother performance in demanding applications and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 820,061 | X4 GT has significantly better performance, making it more suitable for gaming and heavy multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G610 MC6 | X4 GT offers superior graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 64MP, f/1.89, 1/1.72", 0.80µm | A72 has a slightly wider aperture (f/1.8 vs f/1.89), but X4 GT has a larger sensor, so should perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | Not Available | A72 has an additional telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.06", 1.00µm | A72 takes higher-resolution selfies and has a wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2 | A72 captures more detailed wide angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | A72 captures higher resolution macro photos, but X4 GT has larger pixel sizes |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@60fps (EIS) | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | A72 has EIS on all video recording options. X4 GT lacks EIS for all video recording. X4 GT has superior slow motion video capture (960fps vs 120fps). |
| DxOMark | 92 (photo 100, video 78) | Not Available | A72 has a good camera with high score for photos and videos |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5080mAh | Both offer similar battery life for a full day of moderate use. |
| Charging | 25W | 67W | X4 GT charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer tends to offer a slightly longer lifespan and better performance under stress. |
| Charger Included | 15W fast charger | Charger not mentioned | A72 comes with a 15w fast charger. The X4 GT is not mentioned. |
| ### Software |
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11, max 12 | Android 12 | X4 GT has newer OS version. A72 might not receive latest software updates |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | X4 GT supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more reliable connections on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | X4 GT has a newer and more efficient Bluetooth version for better device connectivity and lower energy consumption. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) | X4 GT provides slightly more accurate and reliable location tracking. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer adequate storage options for most users. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8 GB | X4 GT comes standard with 8GB, better for demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Both lack expandable storage, so choose the required storage size at purchase. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | X4 GT offers higher-quality audio and clearer voice capture for calls and recordings. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | X4 GT offers faster and more convenient fingerprint access compared to the basic sensor |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X4 GT | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, RGB, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both offer similar sensor features but the A72 has Geomagnetic and hall sensor where the X4 GT has RGB and Ultrasonic proximity sensor. Both offers a range of sensors for different functions. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED display offers better color reproduction, deeper blacks, and superior power efficiency.
- Better Camera System: Includes a telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait photography, higher resolution front-facing and wide angle lens, and EIS in video recording.
- Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility thanks to 800 nits of brightness compared to unknown brightness of X4 GT, making it better for use in bright sunlight.
Xiaomi Poco X4 GT Advantages
- Significantly Better Performance: The Dimensity 8100 chipset provides dramatically faster performance for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Faster Refresh Rate: 144Hz refresh rate provides much smoother scrolling and animations.
- Faster Charging: The 67W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Newer Bluetooth Standard: Bluetooth 5.3 offers better efficiency and connectivity options.
- Better Audio: Hi-Res audio and dual mics provide a richer audio experience and improved recording.
- Newer Android OS: Newer Android OS version, which could mean more recent software updates.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 offers better screen protection
Trade-offs
- A72 Trade-off: The A72's weaker chipset and slower refresh rate make it less ideal for gaming and heavy applications, but a better camera and display tech makes it suitable for media consumption.
- X4 GT Trade-off: The X4 GT has a IPS LCD and unknown brightness which means the screen will not perform as well as the A72, also lacks a telephoto camera lens, EIS and less comprehensive slow motion video.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users
Xiaomi Poco X4 GT Ideal Users
Price-to-Value Ratio
- Samsung Galaxy A72: Offers a good balance of display, camera, and battery features. Value for money depends on the local pricing and how highly you value these features.
- Xiaomi Poco X4 GT: Offers superior performance and a high refresh rate display. Value for money will depend on your priorities and if you highly value gaming and performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is your primary use case (gaming, media consumption, photography, etc.)?
- How important are display quality and outdoor visibility to you?
- How important are performance and refresh rate to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Gamers and Performance Seekers: If your priority is gaming, fast performance, and a smooth display, the Xiaomi Poco X4 GT is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Media Consumers and Casual Users: If you prioritize a high-quality display, versatile camera, and good outdoor visibility, then the Samsung Galaxy A72 is a better fit.
- Scenario 3: All-Rounder: If you are looking for a good all-round phone with great overall features, both are great, but depending on the weighting of the factors the choice changes. The A72 is better for media, casual and photography lovers. The X4 GT is better for performance lovers and gamers.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco X4 GT. While I appreciate the AMOLED display and the camera versatility of the Samsung Galaxy A72, the significantly superior performance of the Poco X4 GT is a bigger draw for me. I also like the faster refresh rate, faster charging, and better bluetooth version. The ability to run demanding applications smoothly and to have a device that feels snappy in daily use is my priority. Additionally, I like the better audio and screen protection of the X4 GT.
The lack of a telephoto lens is a loss, but it is a trade-off that I am willing to make for the superior performance. Additionally, while an IPS LCD panel is not as good as an AMOLED, I would be happy with that trade off as it is not a major disadvantage and not a deal breaker. Ultimately, the X4 GT is a better fit for my use case and preferred features.
