What Makes the Samsung Galaxy A72 Worth Buying?
The Samsung Galaxy A72 landed in March 2021 as one of the most feature-packed mid-range phones Samsung had released in years. It didn’t try to do one or two things exceptionally well — it tried to cover nearly everything, and for the most part, it succeeded. From a versatile quad-camera setup to a large Super AMOLED display with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, the A72 punched well above its price bracket.
The display is genuinely one of its strongest selling points. A 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate and 800 nits of peak brightness makes everyday content look rich and vivid. Scrolling through social media feels fluid, streaming videos pops with contrast, and outdoor visibility holds up reasonably well thanks to that HBM brightness ceiling. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, it’s also built to survive accidental drops better than most plastic-clad competitors.
Camera performance is another area where the A72 genuinely earns its keep. The rear quad-camera system includes:
- Main sensor: 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm wide lens with PDAF and OIS — great for detailed shots in varied lighting
- Telephoto: 8 MP with 3x optical zoom, PDAF, and OIS — a rare inclusion at this price tier
- Ultrawide: 12 MP, f/2.2, 123° field of view — excellent for landscapes and group photos
- Macro: 5 MP — for close-up detail shots
Having optical image stabilization on both the main and telephoto lenses is a notable hardware advantage. Zoomed-in shots stay steady, and low-light captures benefit from that stabilization when shutter speeds slow down. The 32 MP front camera with HDR support also makes it a strong choice for selfie-heavy users who want clear, detailed portraits without relying on heavy processing.
Battery life is a genuine strength. The 5000 mAh cell with 25W wired fast charging means most users will end a full day with charge to spare, and topping up doesn’t take forever. Throw in IP67 dust and water resistance, stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack, NFC, and up to 256GB of internal storage with a microSDXC expansion slot — and the A72 builds a compelling case for itself as a complete package.
Things to Know Before Choosing the Samsung Galaxy A72
No phone is perfect, and the A72 has a few trade-offs worth understanding before committing. The Snapdragon 720G chipset was a solid mid-range performer in 2021, but it’s not a powerhouse. Everyday tasks, social apps, and even moderate gaming run smoothly, but demanding titles at high settings will push it. Users expecting flagship-level performance will be disappointed — this is firmly a mid-range experience.
Software support is another consideration. The A72 launched on Android 11 and received updates up to Android 12 with One UI 4.1. Samsung’s update policy at the time for the A-series was more limited than its flagship Galaxy S lineup, meaning long-term buyers won’t have the extended five or six years of OS support newer Samsung models now offer. For buyers in 2024 and beyond, this is worth factoring in.
A few other limitations to keep in mind:
- No 5G: The A72 is a 4G LTE-only device. For markets rapidly expanding 5G infrastructure, this could be a limitation for longevity.
- USB 2.0 speeds: File transfers over USB are limited to USB 2.0 bandwidth — not ideal for quickly moving large video files.
- Optical fingerprint sensor: Under-display optical readers are slower and less reliable than side-mounted capacitive sensors. It works, but don’t expect flagship-level responsiveness.
- Plastic back: While the Gorilla Glass front and IP67 rating add durability, the plastic rear panel gives the phone a less premium feel compared to glass-back rivals.
The 90Hz refresh rate, while smooth, doesn’t reach the 120Hz mark that competitors were offering at similar price points. It’s not a dramatic difference in daily use, but tech-conscious buyers will notice it.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A72 Right for You?
The A72 was designed as an everyday workhorse — and that’s exactly what it delivers. Casual users who want a large, bright screen for streaming, browsing, and social media will feel right at home with it. The battery life means less anxiety about finding a charger mid-day, and the stereo speakers with a 3.5mm jack make media consumption genuinely enjoyable.
Photographers on a budget will appreciate the quad-camera system more than most. The combination of optical zoom, ultrawide, and OIS across multiple lenses isn’t common in this tier. It’s not going to replace a dedicated mirrorless camera, but for someone who wants versatile mobile photography without spending flagship money, the A72 delivers real value.
Students and everyday users benefit from the microSD slot and the choice of up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The IP67 rating adds peace of mind for outdoor use or unexpected rain. It’s also NFC-capable for contactless payments, which remains a practical convenience.
Mobile gamers with moderate expectations — think casual to mid-tier titles — will get a solid experience on the 90Hz display with the Snapdragon 720G handling the load. Anyone expecting to run the latest graphically intensive games at top settings should look toward phones with more capable chipsets. The A72 handles gaming well within its limits, but those limits are real.
Best Alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy A72
Buyers comparing options in the same segment will find a few phones worth considering alongside the A72. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G improved on the A-series formula with 5G connectivity and longer software support, making it a stronger long-term buy for those who can stretch the budget slightly. The Motorola Edge 20 offered 5G and a 108MP main camera in a similarly sized form factor. Google’s Pixel 5a brought the Tensor advantage of cleaner software updates and strong computational photography to the same price neighborhood.
If the camera system is the primary draw, the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro offered a 108MP sensor and a 144Hz display at competitive pricing. Each of these alternatives trades something the A72 does well, so the right choice depends on which features matter most — whether that’s 5G future-proofing, camera versatility, or software longevity.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Samsung Galaxy A72 support 5G connectivity?
No, the Samsung Galaxy A72 does not support 5G. It is a 4G LTE device supporting GSM, HSPA, and LTE network technologies. Buyers who anticipate needing 5G connectivity for future-proofing should consider an alternative model within Samsung’s lineup that includes 5G support.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A72 waterproof?
The Samsung Galaxy A72 carries an IP67 rating, which means it is dust-tight and can withstand submersion in up to 1 meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. It offers solid everyday water resistance for splashes, rain, and accidental drops in shallow water, though it is not rated for deeper or prolonged submersion like IP68-certified devices.
How good is the camera on the Samsung Galaxy A72?
The Samsung Galaxy A72 features a versatile quad-camera setup on the rear: a 64 MP main sensor with optical image stabilization, an 8 MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom also with OIS, a 12 MP ultrawide lens with a 123° field of view, and a 5 MP macro camera. The front-facing camera is a 32 MP shooter with HDR support. Both the main and telephoto lenses benefit from OIS, which is a meaningful hardware advantage that helps in low light and zoomed-in photography.
What Android version does the Samsung Galaxy A72 run?
The Samsung Galaxy A72 launched with Android 11 and received an upgrade to Android 12 with Samsung’s One UI 4.1 interface. It did not receive further major OS updates beyond Android 12, which is a consideration for buyers looking for extended long-term software support.
Does the Samsung Galaxy A72 have a headphone jack and expandable storage?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A72 includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio. It also supports microSDXC cards for storage expansion, though the card uses a shared SIM slot, meaning users will need to choose between a second SIM card or expanded storage on dual-SIM configurations.