1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A72 and Xiaomi Redmi 12C, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 168.8 × 76.4 × 8.8 mm | Redmi 12C is slightly taller and thicker, potentially feeling a bit bulkier in hand. Both have similar width. |
| Weight | 203g | 192g | Redmi 12C is lighter by 11g, which might be noticeable during extended use. |
| Build | Not Specified | Not Specified | No information on build materials, so cannot assess their impact on durability and premium feel. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.71" | Negligible difference in size; both offer a large display for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1650 | A72's higher resolution means sharper text, images, and videos; noticeably clearer image overall. |
| PPI | 394 | 268 | A72 provides significantly greater pixel density, leading to a much crisper and more detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | A72's AMOLED provides deeper blacks, higher contrast, vibrant colors and better power efficiency with dark themes; superior viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | A72 offers smoother animations during scrolling and gaming with a higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight. Redmi 12C's display brightness isn't specified making it hard to compare, but 0 nits indicates that it cannot be compared. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | A72's chipset is more powerful, leading to better performance in demanding apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 225,154 | A72 provides smoother multitasking and faster app loading, based on higher benchmark score. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G52 MC2 | A72’s GPU is better for graphically intensive tasks such as gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, Pixel size not specified | A72 offers higher resolution for more detailed photos. Sensor size and pixel size are unknown for Xiaomi Redmi 12C |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | Not Available | A72 has a telephoto lens for zoom capabilities and portrait photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | 5MP, Pixel size not specified | A72 has a much higher resolution front camera, which is significantly better for selfies and video calls. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Not Available | A72 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in each shot |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | 2MP, f/2.4, Pixel size not specified | A72 has better resolution for close-up shots compared to Redmi 12C. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS, 120fps slow-mo | 1080p@30fps, 30fps slow-mo | A72 supports higher resolution video recording with better stabilization and has better slow motion. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 92 (Photo: 100, Video: 78) | 45 (Photo: 50, Video: 43) | A72 has significantly better camera quality in both photo and video based on DxOMark scores. |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, OIS, Quad Camera, night mode, PDAF, continuous shooting, manual focus | Digital zoom, Dual Camera, PDAF | A72 offers a more versatile camera setup with additional zoom capabilities, OIS, night mode and more. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity, suggesting similar daily usage endurance. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 10W fast charging | A72 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime and improving convenience. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 12 | Redmi 12C comes with a newer OS out of the box. The A72 is upgradeable to the same version as the Redmi 12C. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards, offering similar connectivity performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Redmi 12C has a newer version of Bluetooth; A72 supports more Bluetooth profiles, ensuring compatibility with more accessories. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both offer similar GPS capabilities for navigation. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Micro SIM + Nano SIM | Both offer dual sim capabilities, but with different SIM type options. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 32GB/64GB/128GB | A72 has a higher maximum storage option, allowing more space for media and apps. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 3GB/4GB/6GB | A72 has more RAM option (8GB), which offers better performance for multitasking and demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, limiting storage capacity. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio | A72 provides a more immersive and higher quality audio experience with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | rear-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer a fingerprint sensor for device security. Rear-mounted sensors might be easier for some people. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Proximity, Hall, Geomagnetic | Accelerometer, Fingerprint, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual | A72 has more sensors, that enable some advanced features and gaming use cases. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness for a significantly better viewing experience.
- Better Performance: More powerful chipset and higher benchmark scores for smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Superior Cameras: Higher resolution sensors, telephoto and wide-angle lenses, better video capabilities, and significantly better DxOMark scores.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster 25W charging for quicker battery replenishment.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support.
- More RAM options: Offers up to 8 GB of RAM, which provides better multitasking and smoother operations.
- More storage options: Offers up to 256 GB of internal storage for more media storage.
More Sensors: Includes additional sensors for more advanced functionality.
Practical Implications: Offers a premium experience, suitable for users who prioritize media consumption, photography, gaming and general performance.
Xiaomi Redmi 12C Advantages:
- Newer OS out of box: Comes with Android 12, while A72 requires an upgrade.
- Lighter Weight: Slightly lighter, which might be comfortable for extended handling.
- Micro SIM Support: Includes micro-SIM support.
- Practical Implications: Suitable for users who prefer a lighter phone, need a micro-SIM card, and prioritize a newer OS out of the box.
Significant Trade-offs:
- A72 Trade-off: Potentially higher price point; older Android version out of box.
- Redmi 12C Trade-off: Significantly inferior display, camera, and performance capabilities compared to A72.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who watch a lot of videos or stream content, benefitting from the superior AMOLED display.
- Photography Lovers: Those who frequently take photos and want versatility, optical zoom, and high image quality.
- Gamers: Users who need good performance for demanding games.
- Power Users: Those who multitask heavily and require smooth performance in demanding apps.
- Users needing fast charging: Those that want to charge their device quickly.
- Users that want high quality audio: Those who prefer enhanced audio experience.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Redmi 12C:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those looking for an affordable smartphone.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Users who only need basic smartphone features and are less focused on performance.
- Users preferring light weight devices: Those who prefer a lighter phone for extended handling.
- Users with micro-SIM cards: Those that need a micro SIM card.
- Users who prioritize newer OS out of box Those who want a newer OS out of the box.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Watching high-resolution movies and videos.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Playing graphically demanding mobile games.
- Using multiple apps simultaneously without lag.
- Video conferencing and selfies, using the high-resolution front camera
- Listening to music using the stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support.
- Xiaomi Redmi 12C:
- Making phone calls and sending messages.
- Basic browsing and social media usage.
- Basic gaming and app usage.
- Ideal for those on a tight budget or as a secondary device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is display quality? If you prioritize vibrant, sharp, and bright displays, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the clear choice.
- What is your primary use for the camera? If you need versatile cameras with better image and video quality, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is far superior.
- What is your budget? The Xiaomi Redmi 12C is a budget option, while the Samsung Galaxy A72 is likely to be more expensive, but offers a much better experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Media User - Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its superior AMOLED display, enhanced audio, and better performance.
- Scenario 2: Basic Use on a Budget - Choose the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you are on a tight budget and need a basic phone for communication and basic tasks.
- Scenario 3: High quality photos and videos - Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its superior camera quality with better image quality and more versatile options.
- Scenario 4: Performance Focused user - Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its superior processor, GPU and RAM resulting in better performance.
My Choice and Why
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72.
The main reason is that the display quality is significantly better due to its AMOLED screen, higher resolution, higher refresh rate and brightness. The difference in display quality is the biggest deciding factor as this will impact day to day use.
The superior camera system on the A72 is also important, as it offers better picture quality, optical zoom, and better video capabilities. Furthermore, the better processing power provided by the Snapdragon 720G ensures a smoother experience for all day to day tasks as well as any light gaming. The faster charging would also ensure that the device can be charged up quickly, reducing downtime. The added stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support provide a better audio experience. Finally, the additional sensors on the A72 give added features and functionality.
While the Redmi 12C is cheaper and comes with a newer OS, the trade-offs in display, performance, camera quality, charging speed, and audio are too significant for me. The Samsung Galaxy A72, despite being older, delivers a far superior overall user experience that justifies the extra cost. Therefore, the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a more premium experience that is suitable for my typical use.
