1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 9 | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160 × 74.2 × 8.7 mm | 161.4 × 73.8 × 8.3 mm | Moto G73 is slightly taller and thinner, OnePlus 9 is slightly wider. |
| Weight | 192g | 181g | Moto G73 is lighter, might be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.55" | 6.5" | Minimal difference, negligible in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness for both. |
| Pixel Density | 402 PPI | 405 PPI | Virtually indistinguishable sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | OnePlus 9 has richer colors, deeper blacks, better contrast, better battery life in dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | OnePlus 9 is significantly better in bright sunlight; Motorola G73's brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 930 (6 nm) | OnePlus 9 has significantly higher processing power for demanding tasks, games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 880,900 | 497,466 | OnePlus 9 offers much faster app loading, better multitasking, superior gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | IMG BXM-8-256 | OnePlus 9 has a better GPU, translating to better graphics performance in games and visually intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/1.4", Sony IMX689, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/1.8, Unknown Sensor, 1.00µm | OnePlus 9: larger sensor, wider aperture; Moto G73: slightly higher res. OnePlus 9 captures more light and has better low-light performance. |
| Rear Wide Angle | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", Sony IMX766, 1.00µm | 8MP, f/2.2, Unknown Sensor, 1.12µm | OnePlus 9 has vastly superior resolution, captures much more detailed wide-angle shots. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown Sensor | None | OnePlus 9 has a dedicated B&W sensor for artistic shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.00µm | 16MP, f/2.4, Unknown Sensor, 1.00µm | Both are comparable in terms of selfie quality. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps with HDR, EIS | Up to 1080p@60fps | OnePlus 9 offers much higher resolution recording capabilities, more creative flexibility. |
| Camera Features | Triple Camera, PDAF/CDAF, 8K video, RAW 12-bit | Dual Camera, Front Flash | OnePlus 9 is better for advanced users who value higher quality and creative flexibility; Moto G73 includes a front flash for low-light selfies. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G73 should have longer battery life due to larger capacity. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless | 30W Fast Charging | OnePlus 9 charges much faster, and has the added benefit of wireless charging. |
| Features | Non-removable, Wireless Charging | Non-removable | OnePlus 9 offers the convenience of wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | Moto G73 has a newer OS out-of-the-box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual-band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual-band | Both offer similar WiFi performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2, LE, A2DP, aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.3, LE, A2DP, aptX, LDAC, AAC | Moto G73 has a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1, B2) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), NavIC | Moto G73 supports more satellite systems, OnePlus 9 more precise GPS. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | Both have the same storage options. |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 8GB | OnePlus 9 can handle heavy multitasking better due to more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Mics, Noise cancellation mic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Mics | OnePlus 9 offers slightly better audio capture and noise cancellation due to having 3 mics, also has superior audio recording due to noise cancelling. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor | Moto G73 is more convenient with a side-mounted sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | OnePlus 9 has a superior glass protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Fingerprint | OnePlus 9 has an additional gyroscope for more accurate motion tracking and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides a much smoother and faster experience, especially with demanding apps and games.
- Better Display: AMOLED technology offers superior contrast, colors, and power efficiency compared to the Moto G73's IPS LCD. The higher brightness is crucial for outdoor visibility.
- Superior Camera System: The OnePlus 9 boasts a better main sensor, drastically better ultrawide, and dedicated B&W camera for greater creative flexibility and higher quality images and video.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: The 65W fast charging and wireless charging option on the OnePlus 9 is a major convenience.
- Enhanced Audio Recording: The OnePlus 9 is superior for any recording, with an additional microphone and noise cancellation.
- More RAM Option: The 12GB RAM option allows for smoother multitasking.
Motorola Moto G73 Advantages:
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity results in longer usage time between charges.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 13 out of the box, which might include newer features and security patches, although OnePlus 9 can be updated to 13.
- Newer Bluetooth: Slightly newer version of Bluetooth for potentially more efficient pairing and data transfer.
- More GPS Systems: Supports additional GPS systems that could offer better location accuracy.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Scanner: More convenient and ergonomic for many users.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
- Front Flash: Useful for low-light selfies.
Significant Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9: Sacrifices battery life and potentially a newer OS and Bluetooth version for performance, display, and camera capabilities.
- Motorola Moto G73: Sacrifices performance, display quality, camera capabilities and charging speeds for better battery life, a newer OS, and more GPS systems.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who demand high performance for gaming, video editing, or other intensive tasks.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a high-quality camera system with advanced features and creative control.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who appreciate a vibrant display for watching videos and browsing social media.
- Users in Bright Environments: Anyone who needs a screen that's clearly visible in bright sunlight.
Users who appreciate top notch speakers: Users who need crystal clear audio quality, better for recording and general use.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming
- Professional photography and videography
- Watching high-definition videos
- Demanding multi-tasking scenarios
Motorola Moto G73 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Users seeking a reliable smartphone with good battery life, but not necessarily the best performance or features.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Users who want a phone that can last a full day without needing a recharge.
- Everyday Users: Those who need a dependable phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and social media browsing.
- Users Needing Accurate GPS: Users who need reliable navigation.
Users who enjoy taking selfies: The front flash makes it easier for taking selfies.
Use Cases:
- Daily communication and social media use
- Navigation
- Long hours of use away from a charger
- General use for people who do not need very high-performance.
Price-to-Value:
- The OnePlus 9 likely offers a better price-to-value ratio for users who need the extra performance, higher quality screen and superior camera, especially if available at a discounted price.
- The Motorola Moto G73 might be a good value option for users who prioritize battery life and a newer OS and don't need a high-end camera.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance? If you need a phone for demanding games or heavy multitasking, the OnePlus 9 is the clear winner.
- Do you prioritize display quality and camera features? The OnePlus 9's AMOLED display and superior camera system are significant advantages.
- Is battery life and newer OS a priority? The Motorola Moto G73 offers longer battery life and a more up-to-date operating system out of the box.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gaming & Multimedia: Choose the OnePlus 9. It will provide smoother gameplay, a better display for videos, and a more powerful experience overall.
- Scenario 2: Photography & Videography: Choose the OnePlus 9. Its superior camera system offers more creative flexibility and higher-quality results.
- Scenario 3: Daily Use & Long Battery Life: Choose the Motorola Moto G73. It will last longer between charges and handle everyday tasks well.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious Buyer: Choose the Motorola Moto G73. It offers good basic functionality at a potentially lower price point.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the OnePlus 9. While the Moto G73 offers longer battery life and a more recent version of Android out of the box, the areas where the OnePlus 9 excels are more important to me. I would prioritize the superior processing power for smooth and responsive performance. I also value the AMOLED display, which provides much better contrast and colors, especially for consuming video content. As a frequent photo and video taker, the higher quality camera system on the OnePlus 9 is a big plus. The addition of wireless charging and more powerful speakers is the cherry on top. While battery life is important, I think the faster charging on the OnePlus 9 somewhat mitigates the smaller battery capacity for me. The slight trade off with battery is worth the much better overall experience.
