1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | A72 is slightly larger and thicker, might feel less sleek |
| Weight | 200g | 203g | Negligible difference in hand |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21+ has more durable screen |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Identical screen size |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 394 PPI | Identical clarity |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical rich colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21+ offers smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 800 nits | S21+ is much better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | S21+ is significantly faster for all tasks, including gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 285,000 | S21+ demonstrates much higher overall performance |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Adreno 618 | S21+ has much better graphics performance for gaming |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 5000 mAh | A72 has slightly larger battery, potentially marginal better battery life |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Both charge relatively fast |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless, No Charger | 15W Charger Included | S21+ has more charging options, A72 has in-box charger |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | A72 has higher resolution for more detail, but S21+ larger pixels for better low light |
| Telephoto | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.0µm | S21+ has a much more powerful telephoto lens with larger sensor |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | A72 has higher resolution selfie for more detailed images |
| Ultrawide | 12MP | 12MP | A72 has a dedicated ultrawide lens |
| Macro | None | 5MP | A72 has a dedicated macro lens |
| Ultrawide + Macro | 12.2MP | None | S21+ has ultrawide lens with macro capabilities |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@30fps | S21+ can record much higher resolution videos |
| DXOMark | Main: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Main: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | S21+ has higher photo and video quality |
| Features | 8K Video, OIS, Triple Camera, RAW | OIS, Quad Camera | S21+ has more video capabilities, A72 more versatile for different shooting styles |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11, Max Android 15 | Android 11, Max Android 12 | S21+ is expected to receive more software updates |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | S21+ has faster and more efficient Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, aptX | 5.0 | S21+ has more features for high quality audio transmission |
| GPS | L1+L5, E1+E5a | Standard GPS | S21+ has more accurate GPS |
| SIM | Nano + Nano/eSIM | Nano + Nano | S21+ has eSIM support, enabling dual SIM setup without physical cards |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both have same storage options |
| RAM | 8 GB | 6/8 GB | S21+ standard 8GB better for multitasking, A72 can come with 6GB |
| Expandable | No | No | No expandable storage on either phone |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise Cancelling Mic, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | S21+ has better audio output & clearer calls |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Fingerprint | Basic | Basic | Both have basic fingerprint sensor for biometric security |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | S21+ has extra sensor for enhanced environmental data |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset and higher AnTuTu score translate to much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Brighter Display: 1300 nits brightness provides much better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight.
- Better Cameras: Significantly better telephoto lens, higher video recording capabilities (8K), and superior DxOMark scores for photos and videos.
- Faster Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 provides faster and more efficient wireless connectivity.
- Enhanced Audio: Hi-Res Audio, noise-canceling microphone, and overall higher quality audio output.
- Additional Charging Features: Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and overall charging options.
- eSIM Support: Enables more flexibility in dual-SIM usage
- More Software Updates: Expected to receive more Android updates over time.
- Premium Build: Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior screen protection.
- Extra Sensor: Barometer provides more environmental data.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: A slightly larger battery (5000 mAh vs 4800 mAh), might provide marginally better battery life.
- In-box Charger: Includes a 15W fast charger in the box.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP front-facing camera for more detailed selfies.
Trade-offs:
- The S21+ offers significantly superior performance, display, and camera quality but lacks an in-box charger.
- The A72 offers a lower price point and an in-box charger but compromises on performance, camera quality, display brightness, and overall features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Ideal User: Power users who prioritize performance, photography enthusiasts, gamers, users who frequently use their phones outdoors, or those who value future-proofing.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Professional-grade photography and videography.
- Heavy multitasking.
- Frequent outdoor usage in bright sunlight.
- Enjoying high-quality media and audio.
- Users who want the latest and best software features.
- Price-to-Value: Offers premium features and performance, justifying the higher price for users who need them.
Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Ideal User: Users who want a capable device with a good display and versatile camera, but don't need the top-end performance or features.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday social media usage.
- Casual gaming.
- General-purpose photography.
- Users who prioritize battery life over raw performance.
- Users who like to have all accessories in the box.
- Price-to-Value: Provides good features and functionality at a lower price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance Needs: Do you require the highest possible performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps, or is a moderate performance sufficient?
- Camera Priorities: Is superior camera quality (especially telephoto, video, and low-light performance) crucial for you, or is a versatile and good-enough camera system adequate?
- Battery and Charging: Do you prioritize longer battery life or prefer more charging options (like wireless charging), and are you ok without a charger in the box?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer/Power User: Choose the S21+ 5G. Its superior performance, brighter screen, and better speakers will provide a much more enjoyable experience, while the enhanced camera performance is also great to have.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User: Choose the A72 if you do not prioritize high performance or the best camera quality. The larger battery and included charger might be more important in this case.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the S21+ 5G. It has much better sensors, lens quality, and video recording capabilities, alongside premium features, making it the better overall choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between the two, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While I appreciate the slightly larger battery and included charger of the A72, the S21+ 5G offers a far superior experience overall. The performance boost from the Exynos 2100 is significant, ensuring that the phone remains responsive and capable for years to come. The significantly brighter display is a big plus for outdoor use, and the camera system is notably better, especially for telephoto shots and video recording. The addition of wireless charging, faster Wi-Fi, and higher quality audio are features that I value, making the S21+ worth the extra cost. While it lacks a dedicated macro lens, the primary camera is more than capable of close-up shots. The extra features are significant enough for a higher price point.
