1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm | 162 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm | A72 is slightly taller and wider, Note 11 is a bit thicker. A72 will feel slightly larger in the hand. |
| Weight | 203g | 181g | The Note 11 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | A72 has a marginally larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both are identical, expect similar sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 405 PPI | Both displays are very similar in sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | Unspecified | A72 offers superior display quality with vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency with dark themes (assuming the Note 11 has an LCD). |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smoother scrolling and animations than standard 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | A72 has significantly higher brightness for better outdoor visibility. Note 11 has an unknown brightness so could be an issue in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12nm) | The Snapdragon 720G is generally more powerful, translates to smoother performance in demanding apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 253,100 | A72 has a benchmark score 13% higher, suggesting marginally better overall performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The Adreno 618 in the A72 is generally better for gaming, providing slightly better graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, should last a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 18W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | A72 charges faster. The difference between battery tech Li-Ion vs Li-Polymer is unlikely to have practical implications here. |
| Features | 15W Fast Charger included | Reverse Charging, 9W reverse wired charging | A72's charger gives you faster out of the box experience, Note 11 can be used to charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP (f/1.8) | 50MP (f/1.8) | A72 captures higher resolution images, potentially better for cropping/printing. Both will perform well in good light. |
| Telephoto | 8MP (f/2.4), 1/4.4", 1.0µm pixel size, OV08A10 | Not Available | A72 offers dedicated optical zoom for better quality close-ups without digital artifacts. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP (f/2.2), 0.8µm pixel size | 8MP (f/2.0), 1.12µm pixel size | A72 takes higher resolution selfies. Note 11's slightly wider aperture could mean better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP (f/2.2) 1.12µm pixel size | 8MP (f/2.2) unspecified pixel size | A72 captures higher-resolution wide-angle photos. |
| Macro Camera | 5MP (f/2.4), 1.12µm pixel size | 2MP (f/2.4), unspecified pixel size | A72 macro shots will have slightly more detail due to the higher resolution. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | A72 supports higher resolution 4K recording with EIS, suitable for higher quality videos. |
| Stabilization | EIS | No | A72 has stabilization for smoother videos when moving or shaky hands |
| DXOMark Score | Main: 92 (Photo: 100, Video: 78) | Not Available | A72 has been tested and performs well in both photo and video performance |
| Camera Features | OIS, Quad Camera, Manual Focus, PDAF, Night Mode | Triple camera, RAW, 4K Video | A72 offers OIS for improved low-light shots and video, along with a more feature rich set of photography options. Note 11 has RAW for more control over edits |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 12 | Android 11 | Both come with Android 11. A72 is confirmed for future OS upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both support modern WiFi standards with identical features. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | Note 11 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version, potentially more energy efficient, both support standard audio profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both offer similar location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support Dual SIM usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB | A72 comes with larger storage options if you need more space for files. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 4GB/6GB | A72 offers more RAM for smoother multitasking and running demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | A72 provides enhanced audio quality for a more immersive experience. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Basic | Side-mounted | Note 11 offers a faster and more convenient side-mounted sensor. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Note 11 provides better scratch resistance for the screen |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both phones have standard sensors; A72 offers Hall and Geomagnetic sensors. Note 11 uses an ultrasonic proximity sensor which may be more reliable. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with higher brightness, offering vibrant colors, deeper blacks and better visibility in sunlight.
- Better Performance: More powerful Snapdragon 720G chipset and higher AnTuTu score means smoother gaming and overall performance.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution cameras with a dedicated telephoto lens, offering better quality zoom and more versatile photography capabilities. Offers Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) which is useful for low light photography.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging compared to the 18W on the Redmi Note 11 means shorter charge times.
- Better Audio: Includes Dolby Atmos and is considered slightly better by a small margin.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G Advantages:
- Lighter Design: Significantly lighter and slightly smaller, making it more comfortable to hold.
- Newer Bluetooth: Slightly newer Bluetooth version which may be more energy efficient.
- Reverse Charging: The ability to charge other devices, useful in a pinch.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for better scratch resistance.
- More Convenient Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint scanner, generally faster and more intuitive.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A72 sacrifices some ergonomics (slightly larger and heavier) for a better screen, camera, performance and faster charging.
- The Xiaomi sacrifices some performance and screen quality for a lighter design, and better build materials.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos or movies benefit from the high quality AMOLED display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a more versatile camera system with optical zoom.
- Gamers: Those who play demanding games will benefit from the better performance and powerful GPU.
- Outdoor Users: Those who use their phone in bright sunlight will need higher brightness for better visibility.
- Multi-taskers: Those who frequently switch between apps will benefit from the extra RAM available.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking a capable phone at a more accessible price point.
- Ergonomics-Focused Users: Those who want a lighter and more comfortable phone for extended use.
- Practical Users: Those who value utility features like reverse charging and screen protection.
- Casual Gamers and Social Media Users: Those who need a reliable phone for everyday use and moderate gaming.
Use Cases:
- A72: Editing photos/videos, watching HDR content, playing demanding 3D games, taking detailed photos/videos in various conditions.
- Note 11: Casual web browsing, social media, simple games, listening to music and podcasts on the go, charging other devices.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? (Do you value a high brightness AMOLED over a more basic LCD screen?)
- How important is camera versatility? (Do you need optical zoom and more detailed images?)
- How much do you value ergonomics and portability? (Is a lighter, more compact phone more important than a larger screen and better performance?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you prioritize the best possible visual experience, performance, and camera features, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the better choice.
- If you prioritize affordability, a lighter build and don't need the best-in-class performance or camera experience, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G is the better choice.
- If you need reverse charging and a more robust screen, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G should be considered.
- If you need faster charging, the Samsung A72 is preferable.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A72. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 4G has some appealing aspects like its lighter weight and newer Bluetooth, the A72's superior display (AMOLED with higher brightness), better performance (Snapdragon 720G), more versatile camera system, and faster charging outweigh these advantages for my needs. As someone who consumes a lot of media, takes many photos, and plays some mobile games, the A72 offers a more compelling experience in these areas. The slightly larger size and weight are acceptable trade-offs for the performance and display benefits, and the superior camera with OIS is invaluable.
