1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 163.7 × 76.1 × 7.6 mm | A73 5G is slightly shorter and noticeably thinner, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Weight | 212g | 181g | A73 5G is significantly lighter, resulting in less wrist fatigue during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have large displays; good for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness; both displays are detailed enough for comfortable viewing. |
| PPI | 393 | 393 | Similar pixel density; both displays offer a similar level of detail. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | A73 5G's AMOLED display offers much better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, providing a superior viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | A73 5G's 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling, animations, and a more responsive feel compared to the 60Hz display. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness data unavailable for both. Impact on outdoor visibility is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | A73 5G has a significantly faster chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 575,551 | A73 5G offers substantially better benchmark performance, indicative of better overall processing power. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L | A73 5G has a better GPU, which translates to smoother graphics in games and more efficient handling of graphically intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80 µm pixel size | 108MP, f/1.8, Unknown pixel size | A73 5G has a much higher resolution sensor, allowing for more detail in photos; Motorola has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | 32MP, f/2.2, Unknown pixel size | A73 5G has higher resolution for more detailed selfies; |
| Wide Angle lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | 12MP, f/2.2, Unknown pixel size | A73 5G has higher resolution for slightly more detailed wide-angle photos. |
| Portrait Mode | Not Available | 5MP, f/2.4 | A73 5G has a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode with better background blur. |
| Macro lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | 5MP, f/2.4 | A73 5G has a higher resolution for slightly more detailed macro photos. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS, Slow-motion: 60 fps | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS, Slow-motion: 120 fps | Both offer 4K video recording. A73 5G has a higher slow-motion frame rate for better slow-motion footage. |
| Stabilization | EIS | EIS and OIS | A73 5G has OIS which reduces blur for sharper video and still images, and better low-light performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity; should provide comparable battery life under similar usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | A73 5G charges significantly faster, reducing downtime spent plugged into a charger. |
| Features | 10W rapid charger in-box, Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | A73 5G supports bypass charging which is ideal for gaming and heavy usage as it charges directly without passing through the battery. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Slightly wider aperture main camera: (f/1.7 vs f/1.8) May offer a minor advantage in very low-light situations, although this will be marginal.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports Bluetooth 5.1 compared to 5.0 in A73.
- 10W rapid charger in-box: Comes with a charger unlike the Samsung phone.
- SUPL support for GPS: This can help with faster location fixes
Practical Implications:
- The slightly wider aperture of main camera of the Motorola will provide little to no change in real world performance of the camera in all but the lowest of light conditions.
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate provides a much better visual experience.
- Significantly Faster Performance: Snapdragon 778G chipset offers much better performance across all tasks.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main, selfie, and wide-angle cameras, plus OIS and a dedicated portrait sensor.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging vs 15W, reducing charging time significantly.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers more internal storage and RAM for better multitasking and performance.
- Dual SIM: Supports two SIM cards.
- Stereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos: Superior audio quality for media consumption.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better screen protection.
- Bypass Charging: Better battery preservation while charging and gaming at the same time.
- More comprehensive sensors: For more advanced features.
- Beidou supported: For potentially better location accuracy.
- Newer Android version: Comes with Android 12 (upgradeable to Android 16), compared to Android 10 on the Motorola.
- WiFi 6 support: Offers faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks.
Practical Implications:
- The A73 5G offers an all-around better user experience, excelling in areas of display, performance, camera, and multimedia. The higher resolution cameras will allow for detailed photos even when zoomed in. Faster chipset will improve performance and make it future proof.
- The faster charging on the A73 will mean less time spent plugged into the wall. The A73's stereo speakers will be great for video watching. The display will also be great for consuming media content.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola One 5G Ace is heavier and thicker than the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G which is more sleek, and lightweight.
- The Motorola One 5G Ace has a basic LCD panel, while the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G has a vibrant AMOLED display, although brightness data is unavailable for both.
- The Motorola One 5G Ace has a newer Bluetooth version but a more basic sensor package.
- The Motorola One 5G Ace comes with a charger in the box, while you will have to buy one with the Samsung A73.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace Ideal User:
- Users on a very tight budget, where raw performance and display quality are less critical.
- Users who prioritize battery life above all other features, and are willing to make compromises on all other features.
- Users who are content with a basic smartphone experience.
- Users who value the inclusion of a charger in the box.
Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing, social media, and calls.
- Light app usage.
- Users who are on a very strict budget.
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Ideal User:
- Users who want a modern smartphone with a great display and camera.
- Users who prioritize gaming, media consumption, and multitasking.
- Users who value overall performance and speed.
- Users who take a lot of photos/videos.
- Users who need a device that will perform well for years.
Use Cases:
- Gaming, video streaming, and content creation.
- Photography and videography.
- Demanding apps and multitasking.
- Users who want a phone that feels premium and can keep up with their needs.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola One 5G Ace offers basic smartphone functionality at a very budget friendly price, while the Samsung A73 offers a superior experience for more money.
- The A73 5G has a higher price but provides a significantly better overall package and experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? (Motorola is more budget-friendly, while the Samsung is premium.)
- How important is display quality and performance? (Samsung is much better in both.)
- What are your primary use cases? (Basic tasks vs gaming, photography, and media consumption.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight budget, basic usage: The Motorola One 5G Ace is the better choice as it comes with a charger in box, but note the trade offs.
- Scenario 2: Budget is moderate, need a good all around phone: The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is the clear winner with its better display, camera, performance, and features.
- Scenario 3: Gaming is key: The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, with it's significantly faster processor, GPU, and faster refresh display is the best choice here.
- Scenario 4: Great photos and videos are needed: The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is the best choice here due to the higher resolution cameras and OIS.
- Scenario 5: Battery life is key and willing to compromise in all other areas: The Motorola One 5G Ace is the better choice for its battery capacity, and bundled charger.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G. While the Motorola One 5G Ace may be appealing due to it's inclusion of a charger in the box, and lower price, the A73 offers a vastly superior user experience in almost every meaningful category. The display alone is a game-changer with it's vibrant AMOLED screen and 120hz refresh rate. The significantly faster chipset will keep the phone snappy, and the better camera setup will allow for capturing much more detailed pictures and videos. Although the price is higher for the A73, I believe the performance boost, vastly superior screen, better camera, and modern features make it the clear winner. The long term usability of the A73 will justify the higher cost.
