1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G 5G | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | Motorola is taller and thicker; Samsung is wider. Motorola feels bulkier, while Samsung is slightly slimmer and might be more comfortable for some to hold. |
| Weight | 212g | 203g | Samsung is lighter, making it slightly more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen size, providing similar viewing space. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of sharpness. |
| PPI | 393 | 394 | Virtually identical pixel density; sharpness is indistinguishable. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. It's also more energy-efficient for dark-themed interfaces. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Samsung provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the visual experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 800 nits | Samsung's display is significantly brighter, making it much more usable in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G | Motorola's chipset offers better processing power, resulting in smoother app loading, quicker multitasking, and slightly faster gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 390,000 | 285,000 | Motorola is expected to perform significantly better in benchmarks. Likely smoother experience in most daily tasks and more headroom for demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 618 | Motorola's GPU should result in slightly improved graphics performance, although real world differences might not be very significant. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should provide similar battery life, typically lasting a full day of moderate use. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Samsung charges slightly faster, reducing time spent plugged into the wall. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.8 | Samsung's main sensor captures more detail; Motorola has slightly better low-light performance due to a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | Samsung provides an additional optical zoom option, useful for portraits and distant subjects. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.2 | Samsung captures more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2 | Samsung offers a wider field of view and captures slightly more details. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | Samsung's macro lens provides more detailed close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@30fps, EIS | Both offer similar video quality, but Samsung has better stabilization. |
| Slow-motion | 60 fps | 120 fps | Samsung is better for high quality slow-motion videos. |
| DXOMark | N/A | 92 (Mobile) | Samsung's camera is well-regarded in testing. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 | Samsung provides a newer operating system and is likely to receive future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both support the same wifi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 | Motorola has slightly newer Bluetooth; Samsung has more Bluetooth profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Samsung supports more satellite systems for improved GPS accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Samsung offers more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 6/8 GB | Samsung has more RAM, beneficial for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage options. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Samsung provides better audio quality through stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Rear Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both phones have a fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Hall, Geomagnetic | Samsung has additional sensors which will have an impact on advanced features such as gaming, VR, AR and other complex functionalities |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G 5G Advantages:
- Faster Processor: The Snapdragon 750G offers a noticeable performance advantage, resulting in snappier app loading and smoother overall operation.
- Potentially Better Low-light Main Camera: Wider f/1.7 aperture could allow better light gathering in low-light scenarios although it is outclassed by the higher resolution of the Samsung sensor.
- Slightly Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 offers potentially better connection stability and efficiency, but not significantly in real world scenario.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with 90Hz refresh rate and significantly higher brightness provides a much more vibrant, smoother, and usable screen, especially outdoors.
- Better Camera System: Offers telephoto lens, higher-resolution sensors, and OIS for better zoom, detail, and low-light photos and videos.
- More Internal Storage and RAM: Offers higher base storage and RAM options, better for multitasking and storing media.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging is a bit faster, reducing downtime.
- Better Audio Quality: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos enhance the listening experience.
- More Feature-rich Software: Ships with a more recent version of Android and offers a more comprehensive set of features and customizations.
- More GPS Satellites: Better GPS for navigation due to more satellite connectivity options.
- Additional Sensors: More sensors such as the Hall sensor and Geomagnetic sensor allows for a more robust array of features.
Trade-offs:
- Motorola's performance advantage comes at the cost of an inferior display and camera.
- Samsung's superior display and camera system are traded for slightly lower performance and a more expensive device.
- Both devices lack expandable storage, which could be a limiting factor for some users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Gamers: Users who prioritize performance and gaming on a tighter budget might prefer the faster processor.
- Performance-Oriented Users: Those who value responsiveness and speed in everyday tasks and applications.
- Users that value a stock android experience: Motorola often uses a very minimal skin on top of stock Android
Use Cases:
- Smooth performance in graphically intensive games.
- Fast and responsive app loading and multitasking.
- Everyday usage for browsing and social media.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize display quality for watching videos, browsing, and photography.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who desire a versatile camera system with optical zoom, stabilization, and high-quality selfies.
- Users that desire a premium experience: Those who value a more polished and feature-rich user experience.
Use Cases:
- Enjoying movies and TV shows with vibrant colors and deeper blacks.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos with versatile camera capabilities.
- Using the phone comfortably outdoors in bright sunlight.
- General usage with smooth navigation and better audio.
Price-to-Value:
- The Motorola Moto G 5G offers excellent performance for its price, but its display and camera are not as competitive.
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 is a more premium device with a correspondingly higher price, offering a better overall user experience, but comes at a premium price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? If you frequently consume media, use your phone outdoors, or value a vibrant display, the Samsung's AMOLED screen is a significant advantage.
- Do you value camera versatility or raw performance? If you take photos regularly and need good quality on all types of scenarios, the Samsung is better. If you're a gamer or want faster general performance, the Motorola might be better.
- What's your budget? The Motorola is likely the more budget-friendly option, while the Samsung comes with a higher cost but offers more features and premium experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Gaming: If your priority is smooth gaming performance on a budget, the Motorola is likely the better choice.
- Outdoor Photography: The Samsung is the better choice if you take photos outdoors often or want to take videos with quality.
- Multimedia Consumption: The Samsung wins if you frequently stream videos or use your phone for social media and browsing.
- General Use with Reliability: The Samsung is better for users who want better quality in general use, with great screen quality, reliable camera and good performance for their everyday needs.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. While the Motorola Moto G 5G offers a performance advantage with its Snapdragon 750G chipset, the Samsung Galaxy A72 provides a more well-rounded user experience. The superior AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate is a significant upgrade for everyday use and media consumption. The improved camera system, with additional telephoto lens, and higher-resolution sensors, along with better slow motion capabilities and stabilization provide much needed versatility. The higher storage and RAM options are beneficial, and the faster charging is also a practical perk.
While the Motorola is better if you really want to maximize your performance on a budget, the Samsung makes better use of its specifications, and in my opinion offers a much better overall experience.
