Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Motorola Moto G73 and the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. I'll break down the tech specs and translate them into real-world implications for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key specs, focusing on how they impact the user experience:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G73 | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 161.4 x 73.8 x 8.3 mm | 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm | The ZTE is slightly taller and wider, but both have the same thickness. This makes the Moto G73 a bit easier to handle. |
| Weight | 181g | 228g | The Moto G73 is significantly lighter, which is better for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | The ZTE offers a bit more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1260x2800 | The ZTE has a much sharper display with significantly more pixels and a higher density. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The ZTE offers superior colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency, especially with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | The ZTE is dramatically brighter, making it much easier to see in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4 nm) | The ZTE's chipset is significantly more powerful, providing faster loading times and better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 497,466 | 1,579,720 | The ZTE is far superior in benchmark performance, indicating smoother multitasking, gaming, and overall usage. |
| GPU | IMG BXM-8-256 | Adreno 740 | The ZTE has a much more powerful GPU, which translates to better gaming and graphics performance. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5100mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, which suggests comparable day-long usage. |
| Charging | 30W | 80W | The ZTE charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800 | The ZTE's main camera has a wider aperture and a larger sensor, resulting in better low-light performance and image detail. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | Not Available | 8MP, f/2.4, Hynix HI-847 | The ZTE offers telephoto capabilities, providing better flexibility in photography. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4 | 16MP, f/2.5 | The Moto G73 has a slightly wider aperture, which might offer a marginal improvement in low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.88" OV50D40 | The ZTE’s ultrawide has a much higher resolution and a wider aperture, capturing significantly more detail. |
| Video | 1080p@60fps, no stabilization | 8K@30fps with EIS, 4K@120fps with EIS | The ZTE is far superior in video recording, offering much higher resolutions, framerates and video stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Basic, Dual Camera | Advanced, Optical Zoom, OIS, Gimbal | The ZTE offers a more versatile camera system with extra features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13 | Both run on Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | The ZTE offers future-proof connectivity with a newer WiFi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 LE | 5.3 LE | Both phones offer the latest Bluetooth standards. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS... | A-GPS, GLONASS... | The ZTE offers a broader range of GPS systems, possibly offering more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones can operate two SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256 GB or 1024 GB | The ZTE offers significantly more storage capacity. |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12GB or 16 GB | The ZTE provides far more RAM for multitasking, gaming, and future-proofing. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | The Moto G73's audio system is better for spatial audio; ZTE Nubia Z50S Pro also offers a premium experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Moto G73's fingerprint sensor is convenient and reliable. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have an unknown protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Biometric, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The ZTE has a superior sensor configuration. |
2. Key Insights
Motorola Moto G73:
- Strengths: Lighter design, side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Dolby Atmos.
- Competitive Advantages: More affordable.
- Trade-offs: Weaker chipset, significantly less powerful GPU, and lower resolution display.
- Limitations: No telephoto camera, slow charging, limited video quality, no expandable storage.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro:
- Strengths: Superior display quality (AMOLED), significantly more powerful processor (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2), large RAM options, much brighter display (1500 nits), faster charging, telephoto lens, more advanced video and camera features, and a more versatile wide-angle lens.
- Competitive Advantages: Performance powerhouse with top-tier features.
- Trade-offs: Heavier, slightly larger, no Dolby Atmos, more expensive.
- Limitations: No expandable storage.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Motorola Moto G73:
- Best for: Users who need a reliable phone for everyday tasks (browsing, social media, messaging), value affordability, and prioritize a lightweight design.
- Use Cases: Daily commuting, basic photography, casual gaming, and media consumption.
- Value: An excellent budget-friendly option that will be perfectly acceptable for people looking for a basic everyday phone.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro:
- Best for: Power users, gamers, photography enthusiasts, and those who need top-tier performance and display quality.
- Use Cases: Demanding gaming, professional photography, video editing, heavy multitasking, and content creation.
- Value: Offers premium features and performance, which are worth the investment for those who need it.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your buying decision:
How much do you prioritize performance and display quality?
- If these are critical for you, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the clear choice.
- If they are not the most important, the Motorola Moto G73 will be acceptable, and save you money.
Are you a heavy user of your phone's camera?
- If so, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro with its superior main, telephoto, wide-angle lenses, higher video resolution, and advanced features is the better option.
- If you are not, you will be perfectly content with the Motorola Moto G73.
What is your budget?
- The Motorola Moto G73 will be the less expensive option.
- The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the clear choice if budget is not a concern and you want the best phone out of these two.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Budget-Conscious User: If you need a reliable phone for everyday tasks at the lowest cost, the Motorola Moto G73 is the way to go.
Power User/Gamer: If you need the best possible performance, the highest refresh rate, the clearest display, and premium camera capabilities, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the ideal choice.
Balanced User: If you want a good balance of performance and features but are still budget-conscious, the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro offers a more well-rounded experience, while costing significantly more.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would go with the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. The significantly better performance, superior AMOLED display with 1500 nits of brightness, much faster charging, and the more versatile camera system make it the clear winner in terms of technology. As a tech journalist and analyst, I appreciate cutting-edge features and smooth performance. While it is heavier and more expensive, the overall experience would be far superior. I'd be willing to pay the extra cost for the drastically better performance and features.
The Moto G73 is a decent phone, but it simply cannot compare to the sheer power and technology of the ZTE.
