Samsung Galaxy A72 vs ZTE nubia Z50S Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 26, 2021 July 27, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 107.28 cm³ 103.8 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.3 "/g 2.98 "/g
Weight 203 g 228 g
Height 165 mm 163.9 mm
Width 77.4 mm 76.3 mm
Thickness 8.4 mm 8.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Awesome Black
  • Awesome White
  • Awesome Blue
  • Awesome Violet
  • Black
  • Khaki
  • Silver/White

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.8 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1260 x 2800
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.9 % 89.3 %
Pixel Density 394 PPI 452 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 110.29 mAh/in²
Battery Density 46.61 mAh/cm³ 49.13 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5100 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Adreno 618 Adreno 740 (719 MHz)

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.1
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 3.1

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 13
Maximum OS Version 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72ZTE nubia Z50S ProPractical Impact
Dimensions165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mmThe A72 is slightly taller and wider, while the Z50S Pro is a bit thinner, but the difference is minimal in everyday use.
Weight203g228gThe A72 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The Z50S Pro feels denser and may be less comfortable for some.
FoldableStandardStandardBoth are standard smartphones.

Display

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72ZTE nubia Z50S ProPractical Impact
Size6.7"6.8"Negligible difference; both offer large, immersive displays.
Resolution1080 x 24001260 x 2800The Z50S Pro has a sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images.
PPI394452The Z50S Pro's higher pixel density offers a noticeably crisper visual experience.
TechnologyAMOLEDAMOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great contrast.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzThe Z50S Pro has smoother animations, beneficial for gaming and scrolling.
Brightness800 nits1500 nitsThe Z50S Pro is significantly better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.

Performance

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72ZTE nubia Z50S ProPractical Impact
ChipsetSnapdragon 720G (8nm)Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4nm)The Z50S Pro's chipset is significantly faster, leading to better app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance.
AnTuTu Score285,0001,579,720The Z50S Pro offers much higher performance levels.
GPUAdreno 618Adreno 740The Z50S Pro offers considerably better graphics processing power.

Camera

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72ZTE nubia Z50S ProPractical Impact
Standard Camera64MP, f/1.8, 0.80µm54MP, f/1.6, 1.00µm, Sony IMX800The Z50S Pro's larger pixel size and wider aperture generally capture more light and detail, while the A72 has a higher resolution
Telephoto + Portrait8MP, f/2.4, 1.00µm, Omnivision OV08A108MP, f/2.4, 1.00µm, Hynix HI-847Both are comparable.
Selfie Camera32MP, f/2.2, 0.80µm16MP, f/2.5, 1.00µm, Omnivision OV16A10The A72 has higher resolution, but the Z50S Pro's larger pixel size might improve low-light performance.
Wide Angle Lens12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm50MP, f/2.0, 0.61µm, Omnivision OV50D40Z50S Pro has much better quality wide angle camera.
Macro Lens5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µmNoneThe A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, which the Z50S Pro lacks.
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps8K@30fps, 4K@120fpsThe Z50S Pro offers superior video recording capabilities, including higher resolution and framerate.
DXOMarkMobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78NoneOnly the A72 has been tested by DXOMark.
FeaturesOIS, Quad CameraOIS, Triple Camera, Gimbal, RAW, Flicker Sensor, 8K VideoThe Z50S Pro offers more advanced features.

Battery

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72ZTE nubia Z50S ProPractical Impact
Capacity5000mAh5100mAhSimilar battery life is expected.
Charging25W Fast Charging80W Fast ChargingThe Z50S Pro charges much faster, significantly reducing charging times.
Features15W Charger IncludedNoneThe A72 includes a charger, while Z50S Pro does not.

Software & Connectivity

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72ZTE nubia Z50S ProPractical Impact
OSAndroid 11 (upgradable to 12)Android 13The Z50S Pro has a more up-to-date OS with better features and security patches.
WiFiWi-Fi 5Wi-Fi 7The Z50S Pro supports newer Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds and better network performance.
Bluetooth5.05.3The Z50S Pro has a newer Bluetooth version with better efficiency and connectivity options.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1+B2), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICThe Z50S Pro supports more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking.
SIMDual SIM (Nano)Dual SIM (Nano)Both support dual SIM functionality.

Storage

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72ZTE nubia Z50S ProPractical Impact
Internal128GB/256GB256GB/1024GBThe Z50S Pro provides much more internal storage for large media libraries and applications, especially the 1TB version.
RAM6GB/8GB12GB/16GBThe Z50S Pro has more RAM for better multitasking and application performance.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone allows for expandable storage.

Audio & Security

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72ZTE nubia Z50S ProPractical Impact
Audio QualityDolby Atmos, Stereo SpeakersDTS / DTS X, Stereo SpeakersBoth offer stereo speakers. A72 includes Dolby Atmos, while the Z50S Pro features DTS/DTS X for enhanced audio.
SecurityFingerprint SensorFingerprint SensorBoth use similar basic fingerprint sensors.

Build Quality & Sensors

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A72ZTE nubia Z50S ProPractical Impact
Screen ProtectionUnknownUnknownWe lack data on the specific screen protection for either phone.
SensorsProximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Light sensor, Hall, GeomagneticAccelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtualBoth phones come with a comprehensive sensor suite. Z50S Pro has an ultrasonic proximity sensor while A72 has a traditional proximity sensor.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:

  • Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use and easier to handle.
  • Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
  • Included Charger: Comes with a 15W fast charger in the box.
  • DXOMark Tested: Camera performance is objectively measured by DXOMark.
  • Dolby Atmos: Improved audio quality for media consumption.

ZTE nubia Z50S Pro Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: Much faster processor and GPU for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for a clearer visual experience.
  • Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
  • Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
  • Faster Charging: 80W fast charging for significantly reduced charging times.
  • Better Video Recording: 8K video recording at 30FPS with support for up to 4K 120fps.
  • More Storage & RAM: More RAM for better multitasking and a 1TB option for storing large media files.
  • More Advanced Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster wireless performance.
  • Better GPS Accuracy: Supports more satellite systems for better location tracking.
  • Wider Aperture on Main Lens: Better low light performance due to larger aperture of f/1.6 vs f/1.8 and a bigger sensor.
  • Triple Camera & Gimbal: More advanced camera features such as a gimbal, flicker sensor and raw image capture.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • A72: Significantly weaker performance and older software.
  • Z50S Pro: Heavier, and lacks a dedicated macro lens.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A72:

  • Users who prioritize comfort and a lighter device.
  • Casual photographers who enjoy macro photography.
  • Users who don't require high performance gaming or intensive multitasking.
  • Budget-conscious users looking for a good all-around phone with a known brand.
  • Users who prefer a more traditional proximity sensor.

Specific Use Cases for A72:

  • Everyday social media, web browsing, and casual use.
  • Basic photography and capturing close-up shots.
  • General media consumption with Dolby Atmos support.
  • Users who want a phone with an included charger.

Ideal User for ZTE nubia Z50S Pro:

  • Gamers and power users who demand top-tier performance.
  • Users who prioritize a high-quality display for visual clarity and responsiveness.
  • Users who need a phone with excellent outdoor visibility.
  • Users who need fast charging and a large battery.
  • Users who need professional-quality video capabilities, or plan to shoot high-resolution video.
  • Users who need a large internal storage capacity.
  • Users who prefer an ultrasonic proximity sensor.

Specific Use Cases for Z50S Pro:

  • Mobile gaming, running demanding apps, and extensive multitasking.
  • Content creation with high-resolution video recording and editing.
  • Outdoor use in bright sunlight where a bright screen is needed.
  • Power users who need maximum storage and ram.
  • Users who need high accuracy location tracking, especially in urban areas with large buildings.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The price is not provided, but the Z50S Pro is expected to be more expensive, though it is a more advanced smartphone in almost every category. If the price difference is within a certain percentage, it should still provide better value to most people due to it's better features.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. Performance Needs: Do you need a high-performance device for gaming and demanding apps, or is casual use sufficient?
  2. Display Priorities: Is a sharper, brighter, and smoother display essential for your use, or is an adequate display fine?
  3. Camera Requirements: Do you need specific features like macro photography, or is overall better quality more important?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Casual User
    • If you are a casual user primarily focused on social media, browsing and general use with less intensive needs for performance, the Samsung Galaxy A72 could be a good choice. It is lighter and comes with a charger.
  • Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User
    • If you need high-end performance, for gaming, and multitasking, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the clear choice. It also excels at content creation and provides much better video quality.
  • Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast
    • If you are a photography enthusiast, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro provides a more versatile and advanced set of features with more focus on image quality and video.
  • Scenario 4: Outdoor User
    • If you frequently use your phone outdoors in bright conditions the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is much better suited due to it's much higher brightness levels.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 has its merits in terms of weight and the inclusion of a macro lens, the Z50S Pro offers a much more compelling overall package. The substantially faster processor, superior display, faster charging, better camera, and updated software are key factors that outweigh the benefits of the A72.

The Z50S Pro's performance improvements are significant, providing a smoother and more responsive user experience for everything from daily tasks to gaming. The brighter and higher-resolution display makes a noticeable difference in visual quality, especially when viewing content outdoors. The fast charging is also a substantial convenience, especially for someone who uses their phone heavily throughout the day. Additionally, it's also more future-proof thanks to it's more modern specs in connectivity and processing power.

While the A72 is a capable device, the Z50S Pro's technological advantages make it the better choice for a more modern smartphone experience.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.