1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 163.7 × 76.1 × 7.6 mm | The A73 5G is taller and wider but thinner, potentially feeling less bulky in the hand due to the thickness. The 9R has a larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 189g | 181g | The A73 5G is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable for extended use or one-handed operation. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The A73 5G offers better screen protection against scratches and drops. The 9R's protection is unknown, potentially more vulnerable. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.7" | The A73 5G offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption and better multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of sharpness. |
| PPI | 402 | 393 | Both offer very similar pixel density, resulting in similar sharpness and clarity of the screen. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness is not provided for either phone, making it impossible to compare. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | The 9R's Snapdragon 870 offers significantly higher performance, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 821,600 | 575,551 | The 9R demonstrates considerably higher performance in benchmarks indicating a smoother experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 642L | The 9R’s Adreno 650 offers better graphics performance, crucial for demanding games and graphically intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP (f/1.7) | 108MP (f/1.8) | The A73 5G captures more detailed images due to its higher resolution. The 9R's wider aperture (f/1.7) may perform slightly better in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP (f/2.4) | 32MP (f/2.2) | The A73 5G captures more detailed selfies and the wider aperture may perform slightly better in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 16MP (f/2.2) | 12MP (f/2.2) | The 9R captures higher-resolution ultrawide photos. |
| Portrait Lens Resolution | 2MP (f/2.4) | 5MP (f/2.4) | The A73 5G captures portrait mode with slightly more detail. |
| Macro Lens Resolution | 5MP (f/2.4) | 5MP (f/2.4) | Both phones offer comparable macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 60fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 4K 30fps, EIS | The 9R offers higher frame rate and HDR for videos. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF, HDR, RAW, Manual Focus, etc. | OIS, PDAF, HDR, etc. | The 9R offers more manual control and RAW capture which is beneficial for photography enthusiasts. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | The A73 5G has a larger battery, providing better endurance for day-long use. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | The 9R charges significantly faster, reducing downtime and providing a quick top-up option. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | The A73 5G's bypass charging allows for gaming while plugged in, which reduces battery wear. |
Other
| Feature | OnePlus 9R | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 12 (upgradable to 16) | The A73 5G offers newer OS version and support, ensuring access to the latest features and security updates for longer. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | The 9R, with up to 12GB of RAM, will be superior in multi-tasking and can handle demanding apps smoother. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both lack expandable storage which can be limiting for users with large media libraries. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The 9R offers better audio and call clarity due to the noise cancellation mic. |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer the same WiFi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP | The 9R has the newer Bluetooth version and better audio codecs, but the A73 has broader device compatibility. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The 9R has better GPS accuracy with more satellite systems. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic, RGB, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both have comprehensive sensor suites, the A73 having a few extras like geomagnetic and RGB. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 9R Advantages
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 870 chipset and Adreno 650 GPU offer significantly better processing and graphics performance compared to the A73 5G.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging is considerably quicker than the 25W charging of the A73 5G, reducing downtime.
- More RAM: Up to 12GB of RAM is available, enabling smoother multitasking and handling of demanding apps.
- Enhanced Audio: Features a noise cancellation microphone.
- More GPS Systems: The 9R offers more GPS systems, making it more accurate for navigation.
- Advanced Camera Features: Manual focus, and RAW capture offer more options for photography enthusiasts.
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Advantages
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery provides better battery life.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 12 (upgradable to 16), offering longer software support.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 provides superior screen protection.
- Higher Resolution Main & Selfie Cameras: Captures more detailed photos.
- Bypass Charging: Reduces battery degradation during gaming sessions.
- Broader Bluetooth Profile Compatibility: Offers broader device compatibility with more Bluetooth profiles supported.
Trade-offs
- OnePlus 9R: Sacrifices battery life and some camera resolution for superior performance and charging speeds. Older software with less future support.
- Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Sacrifices performance and fast charging for a larger battery and better camera. Less powerful but better screen protection, software, and device compatibility.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 9R
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and those who value speed and performance above all else.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming: Handles demanding games at higher frame rates.
- Multitasking: Quickly switches between apps with no lag.
- Fast-Paced Use: Requires quick charging for busy lifestyles.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Benefits from the advanced manual camera features.
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G
- Ideal User: Average users, content consumers, and those who value battery life and camera quality.
- Use Cases:
- Content Consumption: Enjoys movies, videos, and social media on a larger screen.
- Photography: Values high-resolution photos with good low-light capabilities.
- All-Day Battery: Needs a phone that lasts throughout the day without charging.
- Users Seeking Long-term Software Support: Appreciates a longer software update commitment.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- OnePlus 9R: Offers a higher price-to-performance ratio. It provides flagship-level performance but sacrifices some features in other aspects.
- Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Offers better value for users focused on media, battery, and camera capabilities with longer software support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Performance Needs: Do you prioritize raw speed, responsiveness, and gaming performance (OnePlus 9R) or are you okay with good but not the best performance (Samsung A73 5G)?
- Battery Life vs. Charging Speed: Do you prioritize all-day battery life (Samsung A73 5G) or the ability to quickly top up the battery (OnePlus 9R)?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need a versatile camera with high resolution (Samsung A73 5G), or is manual control and advanced options more valuable (OnePlus 9R)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Heavy Gamer: The OnePlus 9R is the clear winner due to its superior chipset, GPU, and higher RAM. The faster charging also helps keep the gaming session going.
- Scenario 2: Frequent Traveler: The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is the better choice with a longer lasting battery and a camera that's great for vacation pictures.
- Scenario 3: Social Media Enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G wins because of the bigger display, great front camera, and better battery life.
- Scenario 4: Professional Photographer: The OnePlus 9R is better because of the manual control, RAW image capture, and greater video recording capabilities.
My Choice
Given the specifications and my focus on performance and versatility, I would choose the OnePlus 9R. While the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G offers a better battery and camera, the 9R's superior processor, GPU, and faster charging make it the more compelling option for me. I value speed and smooth performance over everything else, and the 9R provides that in abundance. The additional camera options are also a plus. While the battery is smaller, the 65W charging negates the downsides. While screen protection is an unknown for the 9R, the device also has a superior GPS and the improved audio capabilities.
