1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.8 × 74.5 × 8.4 mm, 190g | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm, 203g | A72 is larger and heavier, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. S20 FE 5G is more pocketable. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | S20 FE 5G offers better scratch and impact resistance on the screen, increasing longevity. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | A72 provides a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness, but perceived sharpness is slightly better on S20 FE 5G due to smaller screen size. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S20 FE 5G offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience, particularly in gaming. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 800 nits | S20 FE 5G is much easier to view outdoors in direct sunlight, providing better visibility in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | S20 FE 5G offers significantly faster processing speeds, better for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 623,000 | 285,000 | S20 FE 5G provides a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience overall. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 618 | S20 FE 5G delivers superior graphics performance, crucial for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1.8µm | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | A72 captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions due to higher resolution. S20 FE 5G has bigger pixel size for better low light. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.0µm | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm | Both offer optical zoom capabilities, but A72 has an additional telephoto for portrait shots. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Similar performance in wide-angle shots. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | A72 allows for close-up macro photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | Similar selfie quality. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | S20 FE 5G can record smoother video at 4K due to the higher frame rate. |
| DXOMark | N/A | 92 | A72's camera performance is rated as good by DXOMark. No rating for S20 FE 5G. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | A72 offers longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless, Reverse Wireless | 25W Fast Charging, 15W Charger Included | S20 FE 5G offers more versatile charging options with wireless and reverse wireless charging. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | S20 FE 5G supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity, especially in crowded networks. |
| Software | |||
| OS (Max Version) | Android 10 (13) | Android 11 (12) | S20 FE 5G will receive more software updates. |
| Other | |||
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device allows for storage expansion. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Snapdragon 865 chipset offers significantly faster processing and graphics performance, leading to a smoother and more responsive user experience.
- Practical Impact: Apps launch quicker, multitasking is smoother, and games run at higher frame rates with better graphics.
- Brighter Display: 1200 nits brightness provides excellent outdoor visibility, even in direct sunlight.
- Practical Impact: Easier to use the phone for navigation, photography, and general tasks outdoors.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz display offers smoother scrolling and animations.
- Practical Impact: Visually more appealing and responsive, especially noticeable in games and fast-paced apps.
- Advanced Charging: Supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Practical Impact: Conveniently charge the phone wirelessly or use it to charge other devices.
- Better Wi-Fi: Supports Wi-Fi 6.
- Practical Impact: Faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connections, especially in crowded networks.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides longer battery life.
- Practical Impact: Reduced need for frequent charging, ideal for users who are often away from power sources.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Practical Impact: Ability to capture detailed close-up shots of small objects.
- Newer at Launch: Launched later with newer Android Version at the time.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 64MP main camera offers more detailed images.
- Practical Impact: Better image quality in good lighting, especially when cropping or zooming in on photos.
- Telephoto Portrait Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens for portrait shots.
- Practical Impact: Higher quality portrait photos with better background blur.
- Included Charger: Ships with a 15W fast charger.
Trade-offs:
- Choosing the S20 FE 5G means sacrificing some battery life and macro camera capabilities for significantly better performance and a brighter, smoother display.
- Choosing the A72 means sacrificing raw performance and outdoor visibility for longer battery life, a macro camera, and potentially a lower price point.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes performance, display quality, and outdoor visibility.
- Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games.
- Using resource-intensive apps like video editing or photo editing software.
- Navigating outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Streaming high-resolution video content.
- Taking photos and videos in various conditions.
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, camera versatility (including macro photography), and are less demanding in terms of performance.
- Use Cases:
- All-day use without needing to charge.
- Taking a variety of photos, including close-up macro shots.
- Casual gaming and social media use.
- Users who value having a larger display for media consumption.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is raw performance and gaming to you? If you play demanding games or use resource-intensive apps regularly, the S20 FE 5G is the better choice.
- How important is battery life? If you need a phone that can last all day without needing to be charged, the A72 is a better option.
- What is your budget? (Assuming the S20 FE 5G is more expensive, which might not be the case depending on current deals). If budget is a primary concern, and the A72 offers a substantial cost saving, it may be the more sensible choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G for its superior performance and 120Hz display.
- Scenario 2: Frequent Traveler: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its longer battery life and versatile camera system.
- Scenario 3: Outdoor Enthusiast: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G for its brighter display and better outdoor visibility.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious User: If budget is a major constraint and the A72 is significantly cheaper, it offers a decent experience for everyday tasks and casual use.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G. My primary reason is the significantly better performance due to the Snapdragon 865 chipset. While the A72 has a larger battery and a macro lens, the S20 FE 5G's faster processor, brighter 120Hz display, and wireless charging capabilities provide a smoother and more enjoyable user experience that aligns with my typical usage scenarios. I would prefer the responsiveness and overall performance gains over the longer battery life and slightly more versatile camera system of the A72.
