Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A72 vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm, 203g | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm, 176g | Redmi Note 12S is more compact and lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.43" | A72 offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both offer similar sharpness, with no visible difference in clarity during daily use. |
| PPI | 394 | 409 | Virtually indistinguishable in real-world use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, resulting in an excellent viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer a smoother visual experience compared to 60Hz displays, useful for scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1000 nits | Redmi Note 12S has better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | Redmi Note 12S has a more powerful chipset, resulting in snappier app loading times and smoother performance in demanding applications. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 412,400 | Redmi Note 12S shows a significant performance advantage in benchmarks, indicating better overall speed and responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Redmi Note 12S's GPU is more capable in gaming and GPU-intensive tasks, based on the AnTuTu scores. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80 µm | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.52", 0.70 µm | Redmi Note 12S captures more detailed photos and potentially better low-light performance due to larger sensor and higher MP count. |
| Telephoto Camera | 8MP, f/2.4 | None | A72 offers optical zoom capabilities, useful for getting closer to subjects without losing image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80 µm | 16MP, f/2.4 | A72's selfie camera produces higher resolution images and has a wider aperture for better low-light shots. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | 8MP, f/2.2 | A72 captures slightly more detailed wide-angle shots |
| Macro Camera | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm | 2MP, f/2.4 | A72 captures better detail for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | A72 allows for higher resolution video recording, including 4K. |
| Video stabilization | Yes | No | Samsung Galaxy A72 offers EIS for smoother videos |
| DXOMark Camera Score | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not available | A72 has a tested and rated camera system, showing strong performance, especially in photography. Redmi Note 12S has no public DxOMark scores. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both provide similar battery life for a full day of typical use. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Redmi Note 12S charges faster, allowing for shorter charging times. |
| Features | 15W Charger included | Reverse charging | A72 comes with a charger out of the box, while Redmi Note 12S allows you to charge other devices using it as a power bank. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to Android 12 | Android 13 | Redmi Note 12S offers a newer software version out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO | Redmi Note 12S has MIMO technology for potentially faster and more reliable Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Redmi Note 12S has a newer version of Bluetooth that is more power efficient, but with different feature profiles. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB or 256 GB | Both offer similar storage options, with Redmi Note 12S having a lower 64 GB option. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Both provide sufficient RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers the ability to expand storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | Hi-Res Audio | Both offer good audio quality, but with different enhancement technologies; preference may vary. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Redmi Note 12S's side-mounted sensor tends to be faster and more convenient than standard in-display sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Redmi Note 12S has better screen protection, likely more scratch-resistant. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Samsung Galaxy A72 has more sensor types for advanced features; Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S uses an ultrasonic proximity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Display: Better for media consumption, multitasking, and gaming.
- Telephoto Camera: Offers optical zoom for better versatility in photography.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Captures more detailed selfies and has a wider aperture for better low-light performance.
- 4K Video Recording: Ability to record high-quality 4K videos.
- DXOMark Scores: Tested and rated camera system, showing strong performance in photography.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Helps reduce blur in photos and videos.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Chipset: Provides a smoother and more responsive user experience, especially when gaming and running demanding apps.
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and more pocketable.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: Reduces time spent charging the phone.
- Newer Android Version: Starts with a more recent version of Android, with potential for longer support.
- Advanced Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is typically faster and more convenient.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used as a power bank to charge other devices.
- Screen Protection: Superior screen protection using Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
- Wi-Fi MIMO: Faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connection.
Trade-offs:
- The A72 offers a more feature-rich camera system with optical zoom and higher resolution for selfies and wide-angle shots but is let down by an older processor.
- The Redmi Note 12S prioritizes performance and a better screen brightness, but its camera lacks a telephoto lens and 4k video recording.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a large display for media consumption and multitasking.
- Users who enjoy photography and want versatility with zoom capabilities.
- Users who record videos and want 4k quality and video stabilization.
- Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
- Taking photos in various scenarios, utilizing the telephoto lens.
- Recording videos for personal vlogs or social media content.
- Users who like bigger devices.
- Value: The A72 is a good option if you want to benefit from a good display and camera system for media and photos.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize speed and performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Users who need a compact and lightweight phone for comfortable handling.
- Users who value better outdoor visibility and a fast charging experience.
- Users who want the latest Android version.
- Use Cases:
- Playing mobile games.
- Using demanding apps like video editing tools.
- Spending time outdoors using the phone.
- Users who want a more compact device.
- Value: The Redmi Note 12S provides great value for users who need strong performance and a modern feature set at a competitive price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize screen size and a more feature-rich camera system, or speed and a more compact design?
- How important is video recording in 4k and optical zoom versus faster performance and display brightness?
- Are you willing to trade-off camera quality, in favor of faster charging, more compact design, and a better CPU performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Media Lovers and Photographers: If you frequently watch videos, take pictures with zoom, the Samsung Galaxy A72 may be more suitable.
- For Gamers and Performance Seekers: If you want a phone that performs fast and has a smoother performance experience, and you tend to use your phone outdoors under sunlight, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is a better option.
- For Budget-Conscious Buyers: If price is a primary concern, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S likely provides better value with its strong performance, and more modern features, even if you are sacrificing features like OIS and 4k video recording.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would personally pick the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has some enticing features like the telephoto camera and 4K video recording, the significant performance boost from the Helio G96, combined with the faster charging, better screen brightness, and more compact design of the Redmi Note 12S would ultimately provide a smoother and more enjoyable day-to-day experience. For me, having a snappier device that can handle demanding tasks and charges quickly is more important than having 4K video recording or a better camera system. Additionally, the better screen protection and newer software is a plus.
