Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Xiaomi Redmi 12
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm | Redmi 12 is slightly taller & thinner, A72 slightly wider |
| Weight | 203g | 198.5g | Negligible difference in hand |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.79" | Virtually identical screen size |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2460 | Similar sharpness and detail |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 396 PPI | Indistinguishable sharpness |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | AMOLED: Superior contrast, richer colors, better for dark mode; LCD: Less vibrant |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is significantly brighter, much better for outdoor use under sunlight (Redmi 12 brightness is missing) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | Snapdragon 720G: generally better performance for gaming & demanding apps; Helio G88: Good for everyday tasks but less power |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 249,400 | A72: Slightly smoother performance in demanding tasks |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G52 MC2 | A72: Better gaming performance |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 0.64µm | A72: higher detail; Redmi 12: slightly larger pixel size |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.00µm | None | A72: Optical zoom and dedicated portrait shots |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm | 8MP, f/2.1 | A72: Much higher detail; Redmi 12: Slightly wider aperture |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.14µm | A72: Higher resolution wide shots; Both with similar performance |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | A72: Better macro shots |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 1080p@30fps | A72: Higher quality and stabilization; Redmi 12: Lacks 4K |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life expectancy |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | A72: Faster charging times |
| Features | 15W charger included | 9W reverse charging | A72: Fast charger included; Redmi 12: Can charge other devices |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 13 (upgradable to 14) | Redmi 12: More up-to-date Android version |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Similar WiFi capabilities |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | Redmi 12: Newer Bluetooth, more energy-efficient |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Similar storage options |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Redmi 12: offers 4GB option |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic | A72: Superior audio quality and experience |
| Security | |||
| Biometric | Basic Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Redmi 12: More convenient placement |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | Both phones have similar sensors |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED display with higher brightness, offering vibrant colors, better contrast, and much better outdoor visibility. This is a significant advantage for media consumption and general use in varied lighting conditions.
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 720G chipset provides better processing power and gaming performance than the Helio G88. This makes the A72 a smoother device for demanding tasks.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait photography and higher resolution selfie camera. It also shoots 4K video.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging is a significant advantage over the Redmi 12's 18W.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos improve the overall multimedia experience.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Advantages:
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 13 (upgradable to 14), offering a more up-to-date experience than the A72's Android 11 (upgradable to 12).
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 is more energy-efficient and offers better connectivity than the A72's Bluetooth 5.0.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to charge other devices via 9W reverse charging can be convenient in certain situations.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint: Generally preferred by some users over a basic fingerprint sensor as it can be more ergonomic.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A72's display is a big advantage, but it is an older device.
- The Redmi 12's more up-to-date software is a long-term advantage, but it lacks key display features and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who heavily watch videos, browse photos, or play games will benefit from the superior AMOLED display and enhanced audio.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality and versatility, including optical zoom and better front-facing camera, will prefer the A72.
- Power Users: Those needing reliable performance for multitasking and demanding apps.
- Users frequently in bright sunlight: They will appreciate the bright screen
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows with better contrast and color accuracy.
- Taking photos with good zoom capabilities.
- Playing graphics-intensive mobile games with smoother performance.
- General use in bright conditions where the brighter screen is a plus.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users who want a functional smartphone with a modern software experience at a lower price point.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and basic communication.
- Users Who Value Battery Sharing: With reverse charging functionality.
Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks like social media, web browsing, and messaging.
- Using newer Bluetooth headphones.
- Occasional photography without needing advanced features.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 generally offers more value if display quality, camera capabilities, performance, and audio quality are important to the user.
- The Xiaomi Redmi 12 provides good value for budget-conscious users who want a modern OS and basic functionality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is display quality for you? If a vibrant and bright screen is a must, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the clear winner.
- How important are camera versatility and quality? If you need a dedicated zoom lens, better selfies, and higher-resolution video, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is better.
- Do you need newer software or the ability to share power? If the latest Android version and the ability to reverse-charge other devices is important, the Xiaomi Redmi 12 is the better pick.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Media Enthusiast): You watch a lot of videos, play games, and love vibrant colors, choose the Samsung Galaxy A72.
- Scenario 2 (Casual User on a Budget): You just need basic features, a modern OS, and don't require top-tier cameras or performance, choose the Xiaomi Redmi 12.
- Scenario 3 (Photography Focus): You want more camera capabilities, including zoom, and better selfies, then pick the Samsung Galaxy A72.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. Despite being an older device, its superior AMOLED display with higher brightness, more versatile camera system with telephoto zoom, better performance and faster charging outweighs the advantages of the Redmi 12 for my needs. While the newer Android version and reverse charging on the Redmi 12 are nice to have, the practical impact of the A72's advantages is much more significant to my daily usage scenario. The higher quality display alone makes a big difference in how enjoyable the phone is to use, and having a telephoto lens is a plus for the type of photos I like to take. Ultimately, the A72 offers a more premium experience, despite its age.
