1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A72 and ZTE Axon 40 Ultra, focusing on their practical impact:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 163.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | A72 is slightly taller and wider, may feel a bit bulkier in hand. Both have same thickness. |
| Weight | 203g | 204g | Virtually identical weight, so no significant difference in hand feel. |
| Build | Not specified | Not specified | No clear difference regarding material. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Negligible difference. Both provide a large screen experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1116x2480 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has slightly sharper image quality, though most people will not notice a huge difference. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 400 PPI | Both offer similar levels of sharpness; negligible real-world difference. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, great for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra will have smoother animations and transitions making the display feel snappier. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1500 nits | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is significantly brighter, making it far better for outdoor use in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has a significantly faster and more efficient processor, leading to much better gaming performance and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,061,300 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers a dramatically faster experience in all tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 730 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra's GPU provides much better graphics performance, making it better for gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | 64MP, f/1.6, 1/1.72" Sony IMX787, 0.7µm | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra should perform better in low light due to the wider aperture and larger sensor, but lower pixel size. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.0µm | None | A72 offers dedicated telephoto for better zoom and portrait shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | 16MP, f/2.0, 1.22µm | A72 has higher resolution, however, the Axon has a wider aperture and larger pixels, possibly performing better in low light for selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/3.5, 1/2", 0.7µm | Axon has a dedicated telephoto lens for more powerful zoom capabilities |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | None | A72 has a dedicated wide angle lens, useful for landscape photos and group photos |
| ToF 3D Sensor | None | 0.3MP | Axon has a ToF 3D Sensor, useful for AR and portrait photography |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | A72 has a dedicated macro lens, suitable for extreme close-up shots |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 64MP, f/2.3, 1/1.72", Sony IMX787, 0.7µm | Axon has a dedicated ultrawide + macro lens for more flexible photography |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers much higher quality video recording capabilities |
| DxOMark Score | 92 (photo:100, video:78) | Not tested | A72 is rated well for photos but not as well for videos. No information about the Axon |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both should offer comparable battery life for daily use, given similar capacity. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra charges much faster, allowing you to quickly top up your battery. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | No significant difference for user experience. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 (upgradable to 13) | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has a more recent operating system with access to the newest features. |
Connectivity | Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact | |---|---|---|---| | WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers faster and more reliable WiFi performance. | | Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers a more recent version of bluetooth for better connectivity and efficiency. | | GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1) | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers a more precise GPS experience with dual-band GPS support | | SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512GB or 1024GB | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers significantly more storage options for users who need it. |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 8 GB, 12GB, 16GB or 18 GB | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has more RAM, making it perform better in multitasking and more demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so choose your storage variant carefully. |
Audio | Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact | |---|---|---|---| | Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Both have stereo speakers, Axon has a better quality of sound and better microphone set for better voice recording |
Security | Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact | |---|---|---|---| | Fingerprint sensor | Basic | Basic | Both phones have basic fingerprint readers for security. |
Build quality | Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact | |---|---|---|---| | Screen protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection information not provided for either phone. |
Sensors | Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | Practical Impact | |---|---|---|---| | Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Both phones have a similar sensor suite with the A72 having a compass and the Axon 40 having gravity |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Telephoto + Portrait Lens: Dedicated 8MP telephoto lens for better zoom and portrait shots.
- Wide Angle Lens: Dedicated 12MP wide-angle lens useful for landscape and group photos.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated 5MP macro lens for close-up photography.
- Included Charger: Comes with a 15W fast charger in the box.
- Better DxOMark score: Rated well for photos.
Practical Implications for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- More versatile camera setup with a wide, telephoto and macro lens
- User doesn't need to purchase an extra charger.
- Better still photos
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers much better performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
- Much Brighter Display: 1500 nits brightness for excellent visibility in sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging for quickly topping up the battery.
- Better Video Recording: Supports up to 8K recording at 30fps.
- Better Audio: DTS / DTS X audio for better surround sound and 3 microphones for better audio recording.
- More storage and RAM Options: Up to 1TB storage and 18GB of RAM.
- More recent OS: Android 12 with upgrade to 13
- Better Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 LE.
- ToF 3D Sensor: Useful for Augmented reality applications
- Better GPS: Dual-band GPS for better accuracy
- More Versatile Camera Lens: The ultrawide lens is also capable of macro shots.
Practical Implications for ZTE Axon 40 Ultra:
- Smoother, more responsive overall experience due to much faster processor and higher refresh rate.
- Significantly better visibility when used outdoors.
- Much faster charging times, less time tethered to an outlet.
- Much higher quality video for professional work.
- Much more storage and ram for users needing it.
- Better connectivity and audio
- Under-display front-facing camera for uninterrupted display.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a more versatile camera system with dedicated telephoto, wide-angle, and macro lenses, but lacks the raw power and advanced features of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra.
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra has a much more powerful processor, higher refresh rate and brighter display, but loses versatility in the camera by not having telephoto, wide angle, and macro lenses.
- ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is a much newer phone, having better processor, video quality, audio, connectivity and more storage, but the camera is less versatile.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Casual photographers: Users who want a versatile camera system with wide, telephoto, and macro lenses for general photography purposes.
- Budget conscious users: Users who prioritize a decent camera and smooth display at a lower price point.
- Users who want a complete package: The user receives a charger with the phone, instead of needing to buy one separately.
Use Cases:
- Taking a variety of photos (landscapes, portraits, close-ups)
- General media consumption and social media use.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Ideal User:
- Power users and gamers: Users who need top-tier performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Content creators: Users who need high quality video recording and a bright display for outdoor use.
- Multitaskers: Users who require a lot of RAM for running multiple apps simultaneously.
- Users looking for a cutting-edge experience: With features like an under-display camera, wifi 6 and 120hz refresh rate.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphic-intensive mobile games.
- Recording 4k/8k video for professional projects.
- Using resource-heavy applications for work or study.
- Enjoying media in very bright environments.
- Needing huge storage space for large files.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 provides good value for users who prioritize a versatile camera system and are on a budget.
- The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra offers a much higher price but has a much better processor, display, and other features, which makes it a better long-term option for power users.
4. Decision Framework
Here are key questions to help buyers decide:
- What is my primary use case for the phone? (Photography, gaming, media consumption, professional content creation?)
- How important are performance and display quality? (Do you need top-tier performance or is adequate performance sufficient? Do you need a bright display for outdoor visibility?)
- What is my budget and am I willing to sacrifice some performance for versatility? (Are you willing to pay a premium for the latest processor and fast charging, or are other aspects of the device more important?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User with a Focus on Photography: The Samsung Galaxy A72 is a suitable choice due to its versatile camera system and budget-friendly price.
- Power User/Gamer/Content Creator: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the better option due to its dramatically superior processing power, higher refresh rate, faster charging, and overall higher specs, which are important for demanding tasks.
- User needing better video and audio: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the better option due to it's better video recording quality and more versatile audio recording options.
- User wanting a new, future-proof device: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is the better option due to it's better processor, and it's newer operating system.
My Choice and Why!
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra.
Here’s why:
- Performance is paramount: As someone who uses my phone for a wide variety of tasks, including resource-intensive apps and gaming, the significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a no-brainer. The better performance is a very significant factor for me, because a phone that feels slow and sluggish will make my daily tasks much more annoying.
- Brighter Display and higher refresh rate: The 1500 nits of brightness on the Axon 40 Ultra is very important for use in outdoor environments, which makes the display much easier to see under bright light. I often find myself in bright environments, so the extra brightness will make a noticeable difference in usability. A higher refresh rate also makes the device feel much smoother, so combined with the stronger processor, the UI will feel much more responsive.
- Better long-term value: While the Galaxy A72 offers a more versatile camera, it's older and less powerful. Given my desire for a phone with better longevity, the cutting edge technology of the Axon 40 Ultra makes it a much better buy long term. The better video, audio and connectivity options in this device makes it a great choice for future-proofing.
- Versatile Ultrawide Lens: While the A72 has three dedicated lenses, the ultrawide of the Axon is able to act as a macro lens, and I feel that a dedicated ultrawide lens is much more useful than a telephoto or a macro lens, making this a benefit for the Axon in my eyes.
While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has some advantages, particularly with its more versatile camera setup, the performance, display, audio, and connectivity of the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra make it the clear winner for my needs. The improved performance and screen on the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra outweighs the camera advantages of the A72 in my opinion, and I would pick the Axon every time given my needs.
