Samsung Galaxy A72 (samsung-a72q)

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Samsung Galaxy A72
Samsung Galaxy A72 (samsung-a72q)
Samsung Galaxy A72 (samsung-a72q)
Manufacturer Samsung
Name Galaxy A72
Codename samsung-a72q
Released 2021
Category testing
Pre-built images no
Original software Android (One UI)
Original version 11 (OneUI 3.1)
Hardware
Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (SM7125)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)
GPU Adreno 618
Display 1080x2400 (AMOLED, 6.7")
Storage 128/256 GB
Memory 6/8 GB
Architecture AArch64
Type Handset
Unixbench Whet/Dhry score 5657.7
Features
USB Networking
Works
Flashing
Works
Touchscreen
Works
Display
Partial
WiFi
Works
FDE
Mainline
Works
Battery
Works
3D Acceleration
Works
Audio
Partial
Bluetooth
Works
Camera
GPS
Mobile data
Works
Internal storage
SMS
Works
Calls
Broken
USB OTG
NFC
Sensors
Accelerometer
Magnetometer
Ambient Light
Proximity
Hall Effect
Barometer
Power Sensor
Misc
Built-in DVB
Camera Flash
Keyboard
Touchpad
USB-A
HDMI/DP
Ir RX
Stylus
Memory Card
Haptics
Ethernet
FOSS bootloader
This device is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (SM7125).
See the SoC page for common tips, guides and troubleshooting steps

Contributors

Users owning this device


How to enter flash mode

To enter one of these modes phone must be connected to PC (usb-c headphones and phones might also work)

  • Odin Mode: Power on the device with both Volume Up and Volume Down buttons. Then click Volume Up to confirm.
  • Recovery: Power on the device with both Power and Volume Up buttons.

Unlocking the Bootloader

Icon WARNING: This will reset your device to Factory settings and blow the Knox E-Fuse! You have been warned.

Samsung made this easy (thankfully):

Reboot into Download mode (hold down Vol+ and Vol- while plugging it into a computer) and hold down Vol+.

This way, you can also relock the bootloader (with the only benefit being that the message at the Beginning is gone, no more Knox)

Installation

First, install pmbootstrap.

After that, set up the device to be used:

$ pmbootstrap init
Channel [edge]:
Vendor [samsung]: samsung       <- enter this
Device codename [i9100]: a72q   <- enter this
Enable this package? (y/n) [y]  <- you probably want non-free firmware
User interface [plasma-mobile]: <- choose any UI by your preference. Plasma Mobile works without issues :)
...

Then, create the rootfs image (and install it on sd card if you want)

$ pmbootstrap install (--sdcard=/dev/whatever_your_sdcard_is if you want to install to sd card)

After that, flash the kernel by doing

$ pmbootstrap flasher flash_kernel

and if you didn't install to an SDCard, flash the rootfs by running

$ pmbootstrap flasher flash_rootfs

After installation download emptyDTBO.img and flash using heimdall or TWRP.

Status table explanation

This table explains more in detail why some features are marked as partial (P) or Broken (N). Generally it's because feature works with some limitations, or is a "work-in-progress":

Component Status Notes
Screen P Changing brightness causes graphical artifacts(It's recommended to disable automatic brightness control)
Audio P Only audio from built in stereo speakers works.
Calls N Can recieve and make calls but call audio missing.

Notes

Issues with DEs etc.:

  • framebufferphone: has issues with Touch
  • xorg: doesn't work/crashes on adreno 618 (wayland/xwayland works fine)

See also