1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A72 and Xiaomi Redmi A3, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi A3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 168.3 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm | The Redmi A3 is slightly taller and narrower. Differences are minor and unlikely to have a significant impact on handling. |
| Weight | 203g | 193g | The Redmi A3 is lighter by 10g, which may provide a slightly more comfortable feel during extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi A3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.71" | Virtually identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1650 | The A72's higher resolution results in significantly sharper images and text, making reading and media consumption much clearer. |
| PPI | 394 | 268 | The higher pixel density on the A72 leads to a much crisper and more detailed display. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | The A72's AMOLED display offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, leading to a superior viewing experience, particularly in dark environments. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both phones have smooth scrolling and animations with 90Hz refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | The A72's display is much brighter, making it significantly easier to see outdoors under direct sunlight. The Redmi A3's brightness is missing, which suggests it's much lower and not suitable for outdoor use. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi A3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | MediaTek Helio G36 (12 nm) | The Snapdragon 720G is a more powerful and efficient processor, resulting in smoother performance, faster app loading, and better gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 127,000 | The A72 scores more than twice as high, indicating a significantly faster and more responsive experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | PowerVR GE8320 | The Adreno 618 provides better graphics processing, leading to smoother gameplay and better performance in graphics-intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi A3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 64MP | 8MP | The A72's main camera captures much more detail, resulting in better photos, especially in good lighting. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/2.0 | The wider aperture on the A72 allows it to capture more light, leading to better performance in low-light conditions. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 8MP | None | The A72 provides better portrait mode shots with more natural background blur, and the telephoto lens allows for better zoomed-in shots. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 32MP | 5MP | The A72's selfie camera captures much more detail, leading to better quality selfies and video calls. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP | None | The A72 allows for capturing expansive landscape shots or large group photos. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP | None | The A72 can take detailed close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | The A72 can record higher-resolution videos with electronic image stabilization for smoother footage. The Redmi A3 lacks both 4K and video stabilization. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 92 | 45 | The A72 offers significantly better image quality in photos and videos according to DxOMark's testing. |
| Camera Features | Extensive (OIS, PDAF, Night Mode) | Basic | The A72 provides more features like optical stabilization (OIS) for clearer photos and videos and PDAF for faster autofocus. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi A3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, suitable for a full day of moderate usage. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 10W fast charging | The A72 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi A3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 14 | The Redmi A3 has a more recent Android version, but the A72 has received an update to Android 12. |
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both have dual-band Wi-Fi. The A72 also supports Wi-Fi Display for screen mirroring. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | The Redmi A3 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering better power efficiency and potentially improved connection stability |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | The A72 offers slightly more precise location tracking with Galileo. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi A3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 64/128 GB | The A72 offers more storage for those who need it. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 3/4/6 GB | The A72 has more RAM, supporting better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards for storage expansion. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | The A72 has better audio with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers. |
| Security | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The A72 has a less advanced fingerprint sensor compared to the Redmi A3. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Redmi A3 provides superior protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Comprehensive (Fingerprint, Proximity, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic) | Basic (Accelerometer, Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual) | The A72 has a more comprehensive sensor suite for more features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with higher resolution, higher pixel density, and much higher brightness provides better visual quality and outdoor visibility.
- Much Better Performance: More powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset and superior GPU, leading to faster performance and gaming.
- Better Camera System: Significantly higher resolution cameras, telephoto lens, macro lens, and much better image quality, especially with its wide angle lens and OIS. 4K video recording is a major advantage.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging compared to the Redmi A3's 10W.
- Better Audio: Enhanced with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
- More RAM and Storage: Up to 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of Storage.
Xiaomi Redmi A3 Advantages:
- Newer Android OS: Comes with a more recent version of Android (14) out of the box.
- Newer Bluetooth: Has the most recent Bluetooth version 5.3.
- Slightly Lighter: 10g lighter.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Scanner: Potentially a more convenient fingerprint scanner.
- Superior Screen Protection: Equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for improved durability.
Trade-offs:
- A72: The Galaxy A72 is older (2021 release), while the Redmi A3 is newer (2024 release)
- Redmi A3: The Redmi A3 sacrifices display, camera, performance, and audio quality for a lower price, better screen protection, and a slightly newer Android version.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Those who watch videos, browse photos, and read content heavily will appreciate the vibrant AMOLED display and high resolution.
- Mobile Photographers: Individuals who want to take good quality photos in various situations and want features like telephoto, wide angle, macro and 4K video recording.
- Gamers: Mobile gamers who need good performance and smooth graphics.
- Power Users: Individuals who require strong performance, good multitasking, and fast charging.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Watching HDR videos on the go.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos at social events.
- Playing graphics-intensive games with smooth frame rates.
- Multitasking between apps without performance issues.
Xiaomi Redmi A3 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a functional smartphone at a lower price point.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Individuals who primarily use their phone for calls, messages, and basic browsing.
- Users Prioritizing Durability: Individuals that prefer improved screen protection for a more durable phone.
- Users Seeking Recent OS: Individuals who prioritize a newer version of Android.
Specific Use Cases for Xiaomi Redmi A3:
- Everyday use for calls, messages, and simple social media.
- Basic web browsing and video consumption.
- Users who need a reliable device with good battery life without demanding performance requirements.
Price-to-Value:
The Samsung Galaxy A72 is positioned as a higher-end mid-range smartphone, providing a premium experience. The Xiaomi Redmi A3 targets the budget segment, offering essential features at a lower cost. If performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and audio features are priorities, the A72 offers significantly more value.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for buyers to consider:
- What is my budget? The Redmi A3 is much cheaper than the A72, making it the better choice if cost is the primary factor.
- How important is display and camera quality? If high-resolution and vibrant display with advanced camera capabilities are important, the A72 is the clear choice.
- What level of performance do I need? For gaming, smooth multitasking and fast app loading, the A72 is far superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi A3 if you need a functional phone for basic use with a more recent OS and better screen protection.
- Media Enthusiast/Mobile Photographer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its superior display, much better camera system, and overall performance.
- Gaming Enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice due to its powerful chipset and enhanced graphics.
- Everyday User: If you value performance, screen quality, and camera capability then Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would opt for the Samsung Galaxy A72. While it's an older device, the dramatic differences in display quality, performance, and camera capabilities outweigh the newer Android version and slightly better screen protection of the Redmi A3. The AMOLED display, the much stronger processor, the superior camera system with features like OIS, and 4K video recording, and faster charging are crucial for my usage. The additional sensors and audio quality also contribute to a richer experience. The A72 offers a significantly better overall experience for the cost.
