1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 75.9 × 9.5 mm | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | Moto G Power is slightly thicker and narrower, while A72 is thinner and wider. Minimal practical difference in overall size. |
| Weight | 206.5g | 203g | Virtually identical weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.7" | A72 has a slightly larger display for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | A72 offers a much sharper image with more detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 266 | 394 | A72's display is significantly crisper and less pixelated. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | A72 has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | A72 provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 800 nits | A72 offers dramatically better outdoor visibility, especially in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | A72's chipset is more powerful, leading to snappier performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 178,220 | 285,000 | A72 provides noticeably faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 618 | A72's GPU offers better gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 64MP, f/1.8 | A72 captures more detailed images; Moto G Power has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto/Portrait Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | A72 offers optical zoom and portrait capabilities, enhancing versatility. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.2 | A72 takes far more detailed selfies. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | None | 12MP, f/2.2 | A72 captures more of the scene in a single shot. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | A72 captures more detailed macro shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Moto G Power offers depth information for portrait shots. |
| Video | 1080p@60fps with EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS | A72 can record higher quality videos, especially for content creators. |
| Camera Features | LAF | OIS, Night Mode | A72 has OIS for better low-light shots and smoother videos, also a dedicated night mode. |
| DxOMark | Not tested | Mobile: 92 | A72 has been tested and scored well indicating high quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 25W fast charging | A72 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charger in-box | 10W | 15W | The included charger for the A72 is higher wattage, resulting in faster charging from the box. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (upgradeable to 12) | A72 is more up-to-date and will receive updates for longer. |
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac, Dual-band, Direct | A72 offers more versatile wireless options. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0, multiple profiles | A72 supports a wider array of Bluetooth features for peripherals and audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A72 has more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Single SIM | Dual SIM | A72 supports two SIM cards simultaneously for greater flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64 GB | 128/256 GB | A72 offers significantly more internal storage. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 6/8 GB | A72 provides much better multitasking and overall performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | A72 provides richer and more immersive audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor which some users might find more convenient. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Hall, Geomagnetic | A72 has additional sensors for more advanced functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Slightly wider aperture on main camera: May result in slightly better low-light performance for the main camera (f/1.7 vs f/1.8).
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Some users prefer the convenience of a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- Laser autofocus (LAF): May improve focus speed in certain situations, but not always a reliable focusing method.
- Lower Price Point: Typically available at a significantly lower price point compared to the Samsung Galaxy A72.
Practical Implications: The Moto G Power is a budget-friendly option that focuses on battery life and basic functionality. However, some of the advantages of its camera are debatable when the full package is taken into account.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, and refresh rate provide a much richer and smoother visual experience, especially in bright sunlight.
- Significantly More Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 720G chipset offers faster processing, better graphics, and smoother multitasking, which is useful for gaming and heavy app use.
- More Versatile Camera System: Includes telephoto, wide-angle, and a high-resolution selfie camera offering more creative options. The Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is also a major bonus for video capture and low light images.
- Faster Charging: The 25W fast charging greatly reduces charging times, which is a key convenience feature.
- Dual SIM support: Ability to use two SIM cards simultaneously is a very useful feature.
- Significantly More Storage and RAM: Provides considerably more space for your apps, photos, and videos, and much better multitasking.
- Superior Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos provide a more immersive audio experience, great for entertainment.
- Modern Software: Ships with a more recent version of Android (11, upgradeable to 12).
Practical Implications: The Galaxy A72 offers a significantly superior user experience, particularly for those who value display quality, performance, photography capabilities, and storage.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Moto G Power: The primary trade-off is the weaker display, slower performance, and less versatile camera in return for a lower price.
- Samsung Galaxy A72: The main trade-off is the higher price point.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Users who prioritize affordability and need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks.
- Users who value long battery life above all else: Those who need a phone that can last through multiple days on a single charge.
- Light smartphone users: Those who don't engage in demanding tasks like gaming or heavy multitasking.
- Users seeking a phone with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Specific Use Cases:
- Basic communication (calls, texts, email)
- Casual browsing and social media
- Media consumption (streaming video) but with a lower quality
- Users who are not very demanding on performance
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize display quality: Those who value a vibrant, sharp, and smooth screen, especially for media consumption.
- Performance-focused users: Those who play games, multitask heavily, or use demanding apps.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with good image quality and useful features like optical zoom and OIS.
- Users who consume large amounts of content: Those who need plenty of storage for apps, photos, and videos and can benefit from the more modern storage options.
- Users seeking a high-quality media experience: Those that would appreciate the stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos.
- Users who need dual SIM support
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming and heavy app usage
- High-quality photography and videography
- Extensive media consumption
- Professional or creative use
- Frequent travelers needing dual SIM capabilities
- Users who value the more modern operating system
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Motorola Moto G Power: Offers good value for those on a tight budget. It fulfills basic smartphone needs at a lower price point.
- Samsung Galaxy A72: Offers significantly better features and performance at a higher price. The extra cost is justified if those higher-end features are important to you.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Moto G Power is a budget option, while the A72 costs significantly more.
- What is your primary use case? Do you prioritize a long battery life and basic tasks or higher performance and camera quality?
- How important is display and audio quality to you? The A72 has a far superior display and audio setup compared to the Moto G Power.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If your primary concern is cost and you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks and good battery life, the Motorola Moto G Power is a suitable choice.
- Scenario 2: Multimedia & Performance User: If you value a great display, strong performance for gaming and multitasking, and a versatile camera system, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you frequently take photos or record videos, and like optical image stabilization and zoom, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the best choice due to its superior camera system and OIS.
- Scenario 4: Travel User: If you need dual SIM support for travel or other reasons, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is the only one to consider.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would go for the Samsung Galaxy A72. While the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) offers better battery life and a more budget friendly price, the A72 provides a far superior overall experience.
My reasoning is as follows:
- Display Quality: The AMOLED display with higher resolution, PPI, and refresh rate is a major selling point for me, as I frequently consume media on my phone. The improved brightness is also essential for outdoor use.
- Performance: The Snapdragon 720G offers a significant performance uplift, which will translate to a smoother and more responsive user experience, particularly important for multitasking and occasional gaming.
- Camera Versatility: The telephoto, wide-angle lenses, higher-resolution main and front cameras, and optical stabilization, are far superior to the Moto G Power's camera setup. I appreciate the versatility these camera features offer, and the optical image stabilization makes a huge difference for video recording and low light situations.
- Storage and RAM: The higher RAM and storage configurations on the A72 are also essential for me.
- Software Updates The A72's newer Android version and better support mean that the phone would have a longer life span.
While the Moto G Power is a decent budget phone, the Samsung Galaxy A72 offers a much more premium experience. The higher initial cost will be justified by the improved daily user experience and significantly improved performance.
