1. Specifications Comparison
Design
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro | Practical Impact |
Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 162.9 × 76 × 7.9 mm | Galaxy A72 is slightly larger and thicker, making the Poco X5 Pro more pocketable and comfortable for smaller hands. |
Weight | 203g | 181g | Poco X5 Pro is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro | Practical Impact |
Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer a large viewing experience. |
Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both offer a good visual experience. |
PPI | 394 | 395 | Virtually identical pixel density; both offer sharp display. |
Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of AMOLED displays. |
Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Poco X5 Pro provides a smoother scrolling and animation experience. |
Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | Samsung Galaxy A72 screen is much easier to see in bright sunlight. Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro brightness not specified, which is a significant omission and might indicate poor outdoor visibility. |
Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco X5 Pro has a more durable screen that is less prone to scratches and cracks. |
Performance
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro | Practical Impact |
Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Poco X5 Pro has a more powerful and efficient chipset, resulting in faster app launches and smoother gameplay. |
Antutu Score | 285,000 | 609,106 | Poco X5 Pro demonstrates significantly superior performance for demanding tasks and gaming. |
GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 642L | Poco X5 Pro has a more capable GPU, leading to better graphics performance in games. |
Camera
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro | Practical Impact |
Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.7µm | Poco X5 Pro captures more detailed images due to higher resolution and larger sensor. Galaxy A72's wider aperture may have slight advantage in low light but is likely less significant than the sensor size difference. |
Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Galaxy A72 has a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling optical zoom for better portrait and distant object photos. |
Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.06", 1.0µm | Galaxy A72 captures higher resolution selfies. The larger pixel size on the Poco X5 Pro might mean better low-light performance. |
Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", 1.12µm | Galaxy A72 captures wider scenes with more details than Poco X5 Pro. |
Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Galaxy A72 captures more detailed macro shots. Poco X5 Pro might have better low-light performance due to bigger pixel size. |
Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, slow-motion 120fps | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS, slow-motion 240fps | Both offer 4K video; Poco X5 Pro can record higher frame rate slow-motion. Galaxy A72 has a different stabilization method but it is unclear what that method is (Yes vs No). |
DXOMark | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not Available | Galaxy A72's camera has been objectively tested and scored well, especially for photos. |
Features | OIS, Optical Zoom, Quad Camera, Night Mode, etc | 4K Video, Ultra Stable Video, Triple Camera, RAW, Night Mode, etc | Galaxy A72 has Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) which can result in less blurry photos and videos. Poco X5 Pro has ultra stable video, potentially for better video results. |
Battery
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro | Practical Impact |
Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer comparable battery life; likely lasting a full day for most users. |
Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Poco X5 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer is generally safer and more durable with a better life cycle. |
Features | 15W Charger Included | Non-removable | Galaxy A72 charger provides significantly slower charging than the Poco X5 Pro. |
Software & Connectivity
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro | Practical Impact |
OS | Android 11, upgradeable to 12 | Android 12, upgradeable to 13 | Poco X5 Pro offers a more up-to-date software experience with potentially longer support. |
WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Poco X5 Pro offers faster and more stable wireless speeds with newer standard. |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Poco X5 Pro offers improved connectivity, lower energy consumption and better range. |
GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) | Poco X5 Pro offers better location accuracy with more supported satellite systems. |
SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both have dual SIM capabilities, enabling use of two phone numbers simultaneously. |
Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both provide same amount of internal storage, neither has expandable options. |
RAM | 6GB/8GB | 6GB/8GB | Both have similar RAM options good for multitasking and gaming. |
Audio | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Poco X5 Pro offers slightly better audio quality and noise cancellation for voice calls. |
Security | Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Poco X5 Pro has a more convenient fingerprint reader on the side rather than the under screen option. |
Sensors
Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro | Practical Impact |
Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Galaxy A72 has some additional sensors, though the real-world benefit is likely negligible for most users. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages
- Superior Display Brightness: The Galaxy A72's 800 nits brightness makes it significantly better for outdoor visibility, especially in sunlight.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: The Galaxy A72's telephoto lens allows for optical zoom, which provides better quality zoom photos and portraits.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: The 32MP front camera captures more detailed selfies.
- Better Wide-Angle & Macro Camera: It boasts higher resolution for both wide-angle and macro shots.
- Optical Image Stabilization: The OIS on the main camera can result in sharper images and more stable videos.
- Established Camera Performance: The Galaxy A72 camera has been objectively tested and scored well in tests.
Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro Advantages
- Significantly Faster Processor: The Snapdragon 778G 5G offers substantially higher performance for everyday use and gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: The 120Hz refresh rate provides a smoother visual experience.
- Much Faster Charging: The 67W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Newer Bluetooth and WiFi: Improved connectivity and speeds thanks to Bluetooth 5.2 and WiFi 6
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection.
- More modern OS: Ships with a newer version of Android.
- Newer Battery Technology: Li-Polymer is safer and more durable than Li-ion.
- Superior main camera: The 108MP sensor will likely provide more details and slightly better low light performance.
- Slightly better audio: the 2 microphones will allow for a slightly better noise cancellation during voice calls.
Trade-offs
- Samsung Galaxy A72: The older processor and lower refresh rate can feel slow compared to the Poco X5 Pro. Charging times are also considerably longer.
- Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro: The lack of a telephoto camera, lower brightness display and untested camera performance may be a trade off for some users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users
- Outdoor Users: Those who frequently use their phone in bright sunlight.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value versatile cameras with telephoto lens, OIS and higher megapixel for wide and macro shots.
- Users who want a tested and proven camera system: DXOMark scores show the A72 is a solid camera performer.
Specific Use Cases:
- Taking photos and videos while hiking in bright conditions.
- Capturing detailed portraits with optical zoom.
- Users who take a lot of wide angle and macro shots.
Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro Ideal Users
- Gamers: The powerful processor and 120Hz refresh rate make it ideal for mobile gaming.
- Power Users: Those who perform demanding tasks and need fast charging.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest connectivity options, modern OS and faster technology.
- Users who like to customize and have the most performance for their buck: Xiaomi is known for it's performance and features, usually at very aggressive pricing.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps.
- Quickly charging the phone before heading out.
- Taking very high resolution main camera shots.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro typically offers a better price-to-performance ratio, especially for gamers.
- Samsung Galaxy A72 has more camera features and better outdoor display which may make it valuable to specific users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- How important is outdoor screen visibility? If you frequently use your phone in direct sunlight, the Galaxy A72 is better.
- Do you prioritize performance, fast charging, and a smoother display? The Poco X5 Pro excels in these areas.
- How important are versatile camera features? The Galaxy A72 offers dedicated telephoto and OIS.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Frequent outdoor use and photography - Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for better screen brightness and versatile camera features.
- Scenario 2: Heavy gaming and performance-focused use - Choose the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro for faster processor, smoother display, and rapid charging.
- Scenario 3: Balanced usage with focus on value - Choose the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro which provides better price-to-performance ratio and future proofing with faster tech and newer software, as long as screen brightness and camera zoom are not a huge concern.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers benefits like a brighter display and a telephoto lens, the overall package of the Poco X5 Pro is more compelling for my needs.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 778G 5G is a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon 720G, offering a much smoother experience for daily use, app loading, and gaming.
- Display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes for a noticeably better visual experience when scrolling and using apps. The brightness of the Poco is unknown and might be an issue.
- Charging: The 67W fast charging is a game-changer for me, as I often need to top up my phone quickly.
- Future-Proofing: The newer connectivity options (WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2) and more recent version of Android will keep the phone relevant for longer.
- Modern Battery Tech: Li-Polymer battery tech is generally better and will provide better cycle life.
While I do value a good camera and the A72's telephoto lens is a plus, the advantages of the Poco X5 Pro in terms of speed, responsiveness, and fast charging outweigh that for my use cases. In most cases, I am not heavily reliant on optical zoom. Also, it's generally better to have a bigger, higher resolution sensor with good quality than a dedicated zoom. Lastly, the unknown brightness of the Poco might make the A72 preferable but without that information and assuming normal brightness, the Poco is the better option for me.