1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | Poco X3 Pro is slightly thicker and has a slightly larger overall volume, potentially feeling bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 215g | 203g | Galaxy A72 is lighter by 12g, which may be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer similar viewing areas. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical resolution ensures similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 395 | 394 | Virtually indistinguishable pixel density, both appear equally sharp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Galaxy A72's AMOLED offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and potentially more vibrant colors, superior for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | Poco X3 Pro's 120Hz provides smoother scrolling and animations, which can feel more responsive, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced UIs. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 800 nits | Galaxy A72's significantly higher brightness enhances outdoor visibility, particularly crucial in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Poco X3 Pro's Snapdragon 860 (7nm) offers significantly faster processing for demanding apps and gaming compared to Galaxy A72's Snapdragon 720G. |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 285,000 | Poco X3 Pro has dramatically superior performance according to benchmark results; translates to much faster app launches, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 618 | Poco X3 Pro's Adreno 640 provides superior graphics performance for gaming and GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Similar capacity suggests comparable battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Poco X3 Pro charges faster, minimizing charging time. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Differences in battery chemistry, but likely to have negligible impact on daily usage. |
| Included Charger | Not Specified | 15W Fast Charger Included | Galaxy A72 includes a 15W fast charger in the box, which could be considered convenient. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 48MP | 64MP | Galaxy A72's higher resolution main sensor might capture more details in good lighting, but real-world difference depends on image processing. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.79 | f/1.8 | Poco X3 Pro’s slightly wider aperture may perform slightly better in low light, but differences are marginal. |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 8MP (f/2.4) | Galaxy A72 features a telephoto camera for optical zoom capabilities (not on Poco X3 Pro). |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP | 32MP | Galaxy A72's higher resolution selfie camera may capture slightly more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP | 12MP | Galaxy A72's wide angle lens may capture a higher level of detail. |
| Portrait (Depth) Camera | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | 5MP (f/2.4) | Galaxy A72's macro lens may be better. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Similar video recording capabilities, but stabilization differences could be more crucial. Poco X3 Pro has additional slow-motion capabilities. |
| Stabilization | EIS | OIS | Galaxy A72 with OIS provides superior image stabilization for video and low-light photography compared to EIS of Poco X3 Pro. |
| DxoMark | - | Overall Score 92 | Galaxy A72 has a DxOMark score, showing a decent performance for its camera. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Both phones will likely have similar software experiences after upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Both phones feature the same WiFi standards, with Poco X3 Pro additionally supporting Wi-Fi MIMO for possibly better speeds and stability in some scenarios. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 (LE) | 5.0 | Galaxy A72 features many bluetooth features for a better audio experience. Poco X3 Pro has a focus on audio codecs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Same internal storage options are available for both models, no advantage in storage is apparent. |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 6/8 GB | Similar RAM options ensures similar multi-tasking capabilities. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both phones offer stereo speakers and high-quality audio options. Differences depend on user preferences regarding Hi-Res Audio vs Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro side-mounted fingerprint sensor could be considered more convenient to access. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Unknown | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint | Proximity, Hall, Geomagnetic, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has Ultrasonic Proximity Virtual. Samsung Galaxy A72 has Hall and Geomagnetic sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 860 chipset provides much faster processing power for apps, multitasking, and especially gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: The 120Hz refresh rate offers a smoother user experience with less motion blur, particularly noticeable in gaming and scrolling.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 offers superior screen protection.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging is noticeably quicker compared to the Galaxy A72's 25W charging.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: More convenient access.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display Technology: AMOLED display delivers significantly better color reproduction, deeper blacks, and better contrast, with significantly higher brightness.
- Telephoto Camera with Optical Zoom: Offers optical zoom capabilities missing on the Poco X3 Pro, useful for capturing distant subjects.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Provides better image stabilization for photos and videos, especially in low light.
- Better Selfie Camera: 32MP selfie camera captures slightly more detailed images.
- Dolby Atmos: Provides a different audio experience.
- More Bluetooth Features: Multiple bluetooth features for a better audio experience.
- Included Charger: 15W Fast Charger is included in the box.
Trade-offs:
- The Poco X3 Pro sacrifices display quality (IPS LCD vs AMOLED) and camera versatility (lack of telephoto lens) for significantly higher performance.
- The Galaxy A72 offers a premium display, a more versatile camera system, and optical image stabilization (OIS) but has noticeably weaker performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro - Ideal User:
- Gamers: The superior processing power, Adreno 640 GPU, and 120Hz refresh rate make this phone excellent for mobile gaming.
- Power Users: Those who need fast app loading, smooth multitasking, and snappy performance will appreciate the Snapdragon 860.
- Budget-Conscious Performance Seekers: Prioritize performance over camera versatility and display quality at a more affordable price point.
Specific Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously.
- Demanding tasks like video editing.
Samsung Galaxy A72 - Ideal User:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: The vibrant AMOLED display is excellent for watching videos, browsing photos, and consuming media.
- Photography Lovers: The versatile camera system with OIS and a telephoto lens offers more flexibility in capturing different types of shots.
- Users Prioritizing Screen Quality: Users who value color accuracy, deep blacks, and high brightness in a display will prefer the AMOLED panel.
- Users who prioritize convenience: Includes a charger in the box.
Specific Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
- Taking a variety of photos, including telephoto zoom shots.
- Using the phone outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Prioritize audio quality.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Poco X3 Pro generally offers a higher price-to-performance ratio, making it a great value for gamers and performance-focused users.
- The Galaxy A72 offers more premium features like an AMOLED display, telephoto camera, and OIS, which may justify the higher price for certain users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is gaming or raw performance to you? If you prioritize gaming or demanding tasks, the Poco X3 Pro is significantly better. If you are a more casual user, the performance of the Galaxy A72 should be sufficient.
- How important is display quality for you? If you value vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high brightness, the AMOLED display of the Galaxy A72 is a must. If a smooth experience is more important to you, the 120hz screen on the Poco X3 Pro is a great feature.
- How important is camera versatility and stability? If you value optical zoom and stable image/video capture, the Galaxy A72 is the better choice due to its telephoto lens and OIS. If you just want a simple camera, the Poco X3 Pro's camera system is more than enough.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Hardcore Mobile Gamer: Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro for its top-tier performance and high refresh rate.
- Scenario 2: Frequent Media Consumer & Casual Photography: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its superior display, OIS, and telephoto lens.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User Needing Good Performance: Choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro for its significantly better price-to-performance ratio.
- Scenario 4: Casual User Prioritizing Display and Versatile Camera: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for its premium features and versatility.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. While the Poco X3 Pro is a powerhouse in terms of performance, for my personal use case, the superior AMOLED display is a higher priority. I often watch videos and browse photos on my phone, and the visual quality of the Galaxy A72 is far superior. Additionally, the telephoto lens and OIS provide much more flexibility in photography, which I also appreciate. Although the Poco X3 Pro is better for gaming, I don't play graphically intense games often enough to prioritize that over display quality and camera versatility. The inclusion of a 15W charger in the box is also a small added benefit.
