1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 160.5 × 74.3 × 8.3 mm | A72 is slightly larger, potentially less comfortable for small hands. X6 Pro is more compact and easier to handle |
| Weight | 203g | 186g | X6 Pro is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use and pocket carry |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Minimal difference in size, both are large enough for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | X6 Pro has a significantly sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images |
| Pixel Density | 394 ppi | 446 ppi | X6 Pro offers a noticeably crisper image, beneficial for reading, detailed graphics, and overall visual quality |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colours and deep blacks due to AMOLED technology |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | X6 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing user experience |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1800 nits | X6 Pro is significantly better for outdoor use, particularly in bright sunlight, where it will remain easily viewable. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8300 Ultra (4 nm) | X6 Pro's newer chipset provides vastly superior performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,479,279 | X6 Pro's benchmark score is dramatically higher, indicating much better overall performance |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali G615-MC6 | X6 Pro's GPU will handle graphics-intensive tasks, such as gaming, much more smoothly. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Similar battery life in theory, but real-world usage may vary based on the chipset |
| Charging | 25W | 67W | X6 Pro charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 64MP, f/1.7 | X6 Pro's slightly wider aperture may result in marginally better low-light photos |
| Telephoto | 8MP | None | A72 offers optical zoom, which X6 Pro lacks. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 | A72 takes higher-resolution selfies, but X6 Pro has larger pixel size, which may help in low light |
| Wide Angle | 12MP | 8MP | A72 captures more detailed wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | 2MP | A72 captures more detailed macro photos. |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@30fps | Both capture video up to 4K, but X6 Pro offers 4K@24FPS. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not Available | A72 has been tested, but its score is not comparable to that of X6 pro due to different testing methods. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Android 14 upgradable to 17 | X6 Pro offers a much newer version of Android, which will have more features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | X6 Pro supports faster and more efficient WiFi connections |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.4 | X6 Pro offers faster speeds and better power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), NavIC System | X6 Pro provides more precise location tracking due to added satellite support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | X6 Pro provides more storage options for storing media and apps. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | X6 Pro provides better multitasking capabilities and allows for better app handling |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | X6 Pro offers enhanced audio quality with Hi-Res Audio certification. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both have basic biometric security with fingerprint sensor |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | X6 Pro offers better screen protection from scratches and minor impacts |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | X6 Pro has a more advanced proximity sensor and an RGB sensor, providing enhanced functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Optical Zoom: The dedicated telephoto lens allows for better zoom capabilities, which is ideal for those who often take zoomed-in photos.
- Higher-Resolution Selfie Camera: The 32MP front camera captures more detailed selfies.
- More detailed wide angle and macro lens: The A72 has a higher megapixel count on its wide angle and macro lenses, allowing for more detail to be captured.
- Known Camera Performance: DxOMark testing provides an idea of the A72's camera capabilities in a standardized way, while there is no benchmark for the X6 Pro
Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Dimensity 8300 Ultra chipset provides a significantly faster experience, especially with demanding tasks and gaming.
- Higher Resolution and Refresh Rate Display: The sharper and smoother display makes for a better visual experience.
- Much Brighter Display: The higher brightness provides much better visibility in bright sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging is much faster than the 25W charging on the A72.
- Newer Software: Android 14 offers the latest features and security updates.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Larger storage and RAM capacity allow for more files and better multitasking.
- Superior connectivity: The X6 Pro has Wi-Fi 6 capabilities and Bluetooth 5.4, providing a more modern connectivity experience.
- Better Build Quality: The X6 Pro comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
- More advanced sensor array: With an ultrasonic proximity sensor and RGB sensor.
- Hi-Res Audio Support: The X6 Pro features Hi-Res Audio, providing better audio experience through wired headsets.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A72 trades significant performance and display quality for a more versatile camera setup with telephoto capabilities and a more detailed front camera.
- The Poco X6 Pro sacrifices the optical zoom and higher-resolution front camera for significantly better overall performance, a superior display, and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Casual Photographers: Users who want a versatile camera with good zoom capabilities and a detailed selfie camera.
- Users Who Value Familiarity: People who are accustomed to Samsung's One UI and prefer its user experience and features.
- Users who want known camera performance: Given the DXOMark scoring, the A72s camera performance is objectively known.
Use Cases for the Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Taking photos in a variety of scenarios, including those requiring zoom.
- Casual media consumption.
- Everyday social media and communication.
- Users who enjoy using Samsung's specific features.
Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro Ideal Users:
- Gamers: Users who need the highest level of performance for gaming and other demanding tasks.
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who want the best visual experience with a sharp, bright display.
- Power Users: People who need fast charging, ample storage and better multitasking capabilities.
- Future Proofing: Those who want a newer device with better connectivity and a long life through software updates.
Use Cases for the Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro:
- Playing graphics-intensive games.
- Watching high-resolution videos and streaming content.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously.
- Working on-the-go and doing demanding tasks.
- Using the latest wireless protocols.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco X6 Pro generally offers a better price-to-performance ratio, providing much better performance, display, and charging for a similar price point compared to the Samsung Galaxy A72.
- The A72 provides a better camera in terms of versatility but is significantly less performant and has a worse screen.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is the primary use case for the phone? (Gaming, photography, everyday use, etc.)
- How important is performance and future-proofing? (Do you need the latest and greatest performance?)
- How important are camera features like optical zoom? (Is the versatility of the zoom and high res front camera critical?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Gamer/Power User: The Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro is the clear choice due to its superior chipset, higher refresh rate display, and faster charging capabilities.
- For the Casual Photographer: If optical zoom and a higher resolution selfie camera are essential, and performance is not a concern, the Samsung Galaxy A72 might be preferred.
- For The Average User: If you want a modern and future-proof device, with great performance, a great screen, fast charging and superior build quality, the Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro is the better choice.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a more versatile camera system with optical zoom, the overall package of the Poco X6 Pro is far more compelling for my needs. The significantly better performance, superior display (especially the higher brightness), much faster charging, and newer software are crucial for my daily use. The lack of optical zoom on the X6 Pro is a reasonable trade-off for these substantial upgrades, and the standard camera of the X6 Pro is still capable. The X6 Pro will age better over time, and be a much more enjoyable device for my use-case.
