The vivo iQOO Neo5 and Samsung Galaxy A72 represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The iQOO Neo5 aggressively targets performance with a flagship-adjacent chipset, while the Galaxy A72 prioritizes a well-rounded experience with a focus on display quality and battery endurance. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and fast charging, the iQOO Neo5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 significantly outperforms the Galaxy A72’s Snapdragon 720G. However, the Galaxy A72 offers a brighter display and comparable battery life, making it a strong contender for those valuing multimedia consumption and all-day usability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 16 | 2021, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 22 | Available. Released 2021, March 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.05 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 203 g (7.16 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS 1.0 for iQOO | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 100% in 30 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 4400 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Orange | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue |
| Models | V2055A | SM-A725F, SM-A725F/DS, SM-A725M, SM-A725M/DS |
| Price | About 320 EUR | £ 174.89 / € 359.99 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.23 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.4 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 279342 (v8)
GeekBench: 6483 (v4.4), 1627 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Neo5
- Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 870)
- Ultra-fast 66W charging (0-100% in 30 mins)
- Superior gaming performance
- Display brightness likely lower than A72
- Camera details are limited
Samsung Galaxy A72
- Brighter display (825 nits)
- Excellent battery endurance (117h)
- Established brand and software ecosystem
- Slower processor (Snapdragon 720G)
- Slower charging (25W)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A72 boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 825 nits, making it significantly more visible outdoors than the iQOO Neo5 (brightness data unavailable, but typically lower in gaming-focused phones). While the iQOO Neo5’s panel specifications are unknown, the A72’s 'Infinite' contrast ratio suggests a typical AMOLED experience with deep blacks. The A72’s larger screen size (assumed, based on market positioning) also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience. However, the iQOO Neo5 may prioritize a higher refresh rate for smoother gaming, a feature not explicitly stated for the A72.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. The Galaxy A72 likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more consistent results in various lighting conditions. However, without sensor size or aperture information for either device, a definitive comparison is difficult. The A72’s camera system is likely more versatile, offering a wider range of shooting modes and features. The iQOO Neo5, geared towards performance, may prioritize speed and responsiveness in its camera software.
Performance
The iQOO Neo5’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) is the dominant force here. Its octa-core CPU, with a prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, delivers significantly higher processing power than the Galaxy A72’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm). The 870’s Kryo 585 cores offer a substantial architectural advantage, translating to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. The A72’s Kryo 465 cores, while efficient, simply cannot compete with the 870’s raw horsepower. This difference is particularly noticeable in graphically intensive games and demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A72 achieves an impressive endurance rating of 117 hours, indicating excellent battery life. However, the iQOO Neo5 compensates with its blazing-fast 66W wired charging, achieving a 100% charge in just 30 minutes. While the A72’s 25W charging is respectable, it’s significantly slower. This means the iQOO Neo5 can quickly top up its battery, minimizing downtime, even if its battery capacity is slightly smaller (capacity data unavailable). The A72’s longer endurance is ideal for users who prioritize all-day battery life without frequent charging, while the iQOO Neo5 caters to those who need a quick power boost.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Neo5 if you need a phone for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or heavy multitasking. Its Snapdragon 870 provides a substantial performance boost over the competition. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A72 if you prefer a phone with a vibrant, easily viewable display, long battery life, and a more established brand ecosystem. It’s ideal for everyday use, photography, and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iQOO Neo5’s Snapdragon 870 likely to throttle under sustained gaming loads?
The Snapdragon 870 is known for its excellent thermal efficiency compared to higher-end chips like the 888. While some throttling is inevitable, the 870’s 7nm process and optimized architecture should minimize performance drops during extended gaming sessions. The iQOO Neo5’s cooling system (details unavailable) will also play a crucial role.
❓ Does the Galaxy A72’s camera perform well in low-light conditions?
Samsung’s image processing typically excels in low-light scenarios, utilizing techniques like pixel binning and multi-frame processing to capture brighter and more detailed images. However, without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance definitively. Expect a generally good experience, but not necessarily flagship-level results.
❓ Will the iQOO Neo5’s 66W charging degrade the battery health faster?
While faster charging can theoretically contribute to slightly faster battery degradation over the long term, modern smartphones employ sophisticated charging management systems to mitigate this effect. The iQOO Neo5’s 66W charging is unlikely to significantly impact battery health within the typical 2-3 year lifespan of the device.
