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The most popular Samsung handset last year wasn't from the Galaxy S or Note lines but rather from the midrange A-series, and when we say most popular we mean that it's the one that sold the most units and kept Samsung at the perch of the world's largest phone maker.
This year, we are expecting the same great things to happen with the Galaxy A72, the 2021 instalment of the popular Samsung upper midrange model number, that is why we are comparing the Galaxy A72 vs Galaxy A71 to prep you for the choosing game. You may also be interested in our:
Samsung is making the Galaxy A72 slightly larger, thicker, and wider than its predecessor to accommodate the longer display diagonal. Anything above six inches in height is unwieldy to carry around or operate with one hand anyways, and both phones are at fault here, so we'd rather have the slightly larger - 6.7" vs 6.5" - display. Both displays are very bright, tuned towards the colder side of the spectrum, and exhibit about average color credibility score for the price range. The higher refresh rate panel on the A72 wins hands down, as it's 2021, and once you go high, it's hard to go 60Hz again.
The CIE 1931 xy color gamut chart represents the set(area)of colors that a display can reproduce,with the sRGB colorspace(the highlighted triangle)serving as reference.The chart also provides a visual representation of a display's color accuracy. The small squares across the boundaries of the triangle are the reference points for the various colors, while the small dots are the actual measurements. Ideally, each dot should be positioned on top of its respective square. The 'x:CIE31' and 'y:CIE31' values in the table below the chart indicate the position of each measurement on the chart. 'Y' shows the luminance (in nits) of each measured color, while 'Target Y' is the desired luminance level for that color. Finally, 'ΔE 2000' is the Delta E value of the measured color. Delta E values of below 2 are ideal.
The Color accuracy chart gives an idea of how close a display's measured colors are to their referential values. The first line holds the measured (actual) colors, while the second line holds the reference (target) colors. The closer the actual colors are to the target ones, the better.
The Grayscale accuracy chart shows whether a display has a correct white balance(balance between red,green and blue)across different levels of grey(from dark to bright).The closer the Actual colors are to the Target ones,the better.
Samsung's Glasstic housing on an aluminum frame is wrapping the Galaxy A72 internals, available in Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Blue, and Awesome Violet colors.The kicker? The Galaxy A72 still has a headphone jack and supports a microSD card slot, unlike the more expensive Galaxy S21 series, and it will be have water-resistant certification to boot, unlike its predecessor.
We don't mind this plastic-to-glass feel, as it allows for some intriguing pattern finishes, and helps to lower the weight that is bordering on ridiculous with today's big glass phones. Moreover, you can toss it around without worrying it will crack and fracture, just what we'd expect from our midrangers - not to think and baby them as much as their expensive flagship siblings in the Galaxy line.
Samsung Galaxy A72 vs Galaxy A71 specs, performance and battery life
Just like last year, Samsung will keep notifying you that this and that Galaxy phone has the next-gen cellular connectivity standard abilities by denoting it with '5G' after the name, and the Galaxy A72 that will be doing this is still to be announced. Like the Galaxy A71 5G before it, the A72 5G might come at a later date, mostly confined to the US and Samsung's home turf, the nations with advanced 5G networks.
The non-5G, LTE version of the Galaxy A72 is equipped with a Snapdragon 7-series processor that actually sits lower on Qualcomm's totem pole than what's in the A71, but the 5G model for the US would be landing with a Snapdragon 750 model, so all is well. While the chipset differs slightly from the more potent Snapdragon 765 in the Galaxy A71 5G, it still supports up to 192MP single cameras, 120Hz display refresh, and fast downloads, so all is well. As you can see from our performance benchmark tests below, the scores are basically similar to what the A71 is able to muster.
If the T-Rex HD component of GFXBench is demanding,then the Manhattan test is downright gruelling.It's a GPU-centric test that simulates an extremely graphically intensive gaming environment that is meant to push the GPU to the max. that simulates a graphically-intensive gaming environment on the screen. The results achieved are measured in frames per second, with more frames being better.
AnTuTu is a multi-layered, comprehensive mobile benchmark app that assesses various aspects of a device, including CPU, GPU, RAM, I/O, and UX performance. A higher score means an overall faster device.
A 6GB RAM/128GB storage combo is the start here, as it was for the Galaxy A71, while Samsung also offers a more palatable 8GB RAM/256GB storage version for less than a Benjamin or so more, and that would be the wiser choice, especially on promo pricing.
Samsung isn't mincing its intentions here, and has equipped the Galaxy A72 5G with the largest battery it offers on Galaxy phones sold west of China or India. A little birdy told us that this is the 5000mAh battery pack that the Galaxy S21 Ultra almighty is offering itself, and a welcome upgrade from the 4500mAh unit of its predecessor.
Don't expect much longer battery life compared to the Galaxy A71, though, as the higher 90Hz (120Hz for the eventual 5G model) display refresh will make sure that surprises in the battery life department don't happen. Still, Samsung advertises the A71 as a two-day battery phone, so it has that advantage before the A71 in the battery department. In 60Hz mode, though, it decimates the A71's endurance on a charge.
On the other hand, Samsung is notorious with its fast charging standard that can top up the 5000mAh pack of the S21 Ultra for an hour and change just with the stock 25W charger, and since that's the charging speed that the Galaxy A72 supports, it will be ready to go when you are, for nearly two days of average use on a charge, and a fast fill-up when you finally get to an outlet in Mary's Gravy truck stop.
Samsung Galaxy A72 vs Galaxy A71 camera comparison
We are glad to report that the useless and gimmicky "depth" and even overkill 5MP macro cameras that the Galaxy A71 was forcing you to live with are gone from the Galaxy A72, and Samsung added the way more useful 8MP 3x telephoto cam, and a small-res, but large in sensor size 2MP macro shot.
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The main 64MP sensor that offers pixel-binned 16MP shots, and the 12MP ultra-wide camera have stayed but we had no complaints about those to begin with, while the main camera now gets optical stabilization for crisper shots and more stable footage.
Despite that 50% of the Galaxy A71 quad-camera setup was there just for props, we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of photos it was able to achieve with the other half, and the Galaxy A72 doesn't stray away from that tendency, as you can see from our samples below.
The exposure level is tuned a step higher on the A72, resulting in better shadows but burned highlights compared to the A71's calibration, while the newer model has more credible colors than the warmer, yellowish tones of its predecessor.
For all intents and purposes, though, except the clearly superior zoom and optical image stabilization of the A72, both phones produce very pleasing photos for their price range outside when there is enough light. Moving indoors, however, and taking selfies with the front camera, moves the needle way in the new Galaxy A72's favor when it comes to detail and exposure.
Samsung Galaxy A72 vs Galaxy A71 price
449 EUR ($535) vs $599 launch price for the 4G 6GB/128GB version
All in all, the telephoto and camera sensor upgrades, the larger battery, and the high refresh rate added to the display are the most meaningful Galaxy A72 vs A71 updates that may force even some of you who have been eyeing the Galaxy S21 range to think twice at this price point. On the other hand, the Galaxy A71 is much cheaper now, yet those upgrades are too sweet to pass on.
Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena since 2010, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.
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