1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Oppo Reno5 5G | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.1 x 73.4 x 7.9 mm | 163.7 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm | A73 is taller & wider, Reno5 is slightly thicker; A73 feels larger in hand. |
| Weight | 172g | 181g | Reno5 is lighter; More comfortable for extended use, less fatigue |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.43" | 6.7" | A73 has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both displays have the same sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 393 PPI | Both offer similar sharpness; Difference is negligible in everyday use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors, deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | A73 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 750 nits | 0 nits (Data Missing) | Reno5 is significantly brighter, providing better outdoor visibility; A73 brightness data missing |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 765G (7nm) | Snapdragon 778G (6nm) | A73 has a newer, more powerful chipset, providing better overall performance & efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 325,000 | 575,551 | A73 has significantly higher benchmark score, indicating faster app loading and smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 642L | A73's GPU handles graphics-intensive tasks and games much better. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4300 mAh | 5000 mAh | A73 has a larger battery, offering better battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Reno5 charges much faster, convenient for quick top-ups. |
| Battery Features | Reverse Charging, Dual-cell | Bypass Charging | Reno5 can charge other devices; A73 bypass charging minimizes heat during gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.7 | 108MP, f/1.8 | A73 has higher resolution sensor, potentially capturing more detail; Reno5 has a wider aperture for better low-light. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4 | 32MP, f/2.2 | A73 has a wider aperture, potentially leading to better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Available | 12MP, f/2.2 | A73 offers a wider field of view for landscape or group photos, a feature missing from Reno5. |
| Portrait Mode | Not Available | 5MP, f/2.4 | A73 has dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh effect portraits. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | A73 has a higher resolution macro sensor, potentially capturing finer detail. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 8MP, f/2.2 | Not Available | Reno5 has a dedicated lens for wide and macro photos. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Both record 4k videos; Reno5 HDR and EIS at different frame rates, A73 only has EIS for stabilization |
| Camera Features | Many | OIS | Reno5 includes ultra-stable video and advanced autofocus; A73 has OIS which improves video recording and low-light photos. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 (upgradable to 16) | A73 comes with a newer OS out of the box and will get more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | A73 supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi 6, Reno5 supports Wi-Fi MiMO |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Reno5 has a slightly newer Bluetooth for better connectivity, Reno5 additionally supports APT-x, LDAC, and SBC; A73 has more advanced profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Reno5 has slightly more comprehensive GPS. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Both offer sufficient storage, user can pick storage option based on preference |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 6GB/8GB | Reno5 offers more RAM, potentially better for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | No options to expand storage on both phones. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Both have similar audio performance. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass 3+ | Gorilla Glass 5 | A73 has superior screen protection. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo Reno5 5G Advantages:
- Faster Charging: The 65W charging is significantly quicker, reducing downtime significantly.
- Brighter Display: The 750 nits brightness ensures better visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
- More RAM (optional): Up to 12GB of RAM allows for smoother multitasking and heavier application usage.
- More GPS Systems: Supports QZSS system for better location tracking.
- Wider Main Camera Aperture: f/1.7 aperture on the main camera potentially performs better in low-light conditions compared to the A73's f/1.8.
- More Bluetooth Features: Supports APT-x, LDAC, SBC
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G Advantages:
- More Powerful Chipset: Snapdragon 778G provides significantly better performance for daily tasks and gaming.
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery offers longer battery life compared to the Reno5's 4300mAh.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations.
- Superior Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass 5 offers better protection against scratches and drops.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera f/2.2 aperture captures more light.
- Dedicated Depth and Wide Angle lenses: Offers more versatility for portrait and landscape photography.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 12 and will likely get more future updates.
- Better Wi-Fi: Supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster, more reliable wireless connectivity.
- OIS for Camera: Better stabilization for both video and photos, specially in low-light.
- Bypass Charging: Can be used while charging with minimized heat generation.
Trade-offs:
- Reno5: Sacrifices overall performance and battery life for a brighter display, faster charging, and more RAM.
- A73: Sacrifices charging speed and brightness for a more powerful chipset, better battery life, and improved camera versatility with OIS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Oppo Reno5 5G:
- Users Prioritizing Fast Charging: If quick charging is essential, the Reno5 is ideal.
- Frequent Outdoor Users: The brighter display makes it easier to view content in sunlight.
- Multitaskers (with 12GB variant): Those who switch between apps frequently can benefit from the higher RAM.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: If found at a lower price point, it could be a good value for the features it offers
Use Cases for Oppo Reno5 5G:
- Quickly charging between meetings or classes.
- Using GPS and maps outdoors.
- Casual gamers and regular social media users.
- Users who want advanced autofocus and video features
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A73 5G:
- Gamers: The more powerful chipset and better GPU provide a better gaming experience.
- Heavy Media Consumers: The larger display and better speakers make it ideal for watching videos and movies.
- Photo Enthusiasts: The camera's additional lenses and higher resolution can capture better pictures.
- Users who prioritize long term software support.
- Users who want optical stabilization for photos and videos.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A73 5G:
- Playing demanding games and running graphic-intensive apps.
- Watching videos on the go or at home.
- Taking photos in various scenarios with the different lenses.
- Using the phone for multiple years with software support.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Oppo Reno5 5G might offer a better value for budget-conscious buyers seeking fast charging and a brighter screen with the trade off of slightly less performance.
- The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G provides a higher price-to-value ratio for users needing a more powerful phone with a better display, camera versatility, and longer-term support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is battery life vs. fast charging? (Longer lasting battery vs. quicker top-ups)
- How important is performance vs. camera versatility? (More power for games and tasks vs. more camera options for pictures)
- Is a brighter display important to you? (Better visibility outdoors vs. other benefits like screen protection)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "The Power User": Prioritizes performance for gaming and heavy multitasking. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A73 5G due to its more powerful chipset and higher refresh rate.
- Scenario 2: "The On-the-Go Professional": Needs a reliable phone with fast charging and a display that works outdoors. Recommendation: Oppo Reno5 5G due to faster charging and brighter screen.
- Scenario 3: "The Camera Enthusiast": Values image quality and versatility over pure performance. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A73 5G due to its more versatile camera system with OIS.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 778G chipset is a significant step up from the Snapdragon 765G. This translates to a noticeably smoother experience in day-to-day usage, app loading, and especially gaming.
- Battery: The 5000mAh battery will get me through a full day of usage, something very important to me. While the Reno5 has faster charging, having a larger battery is more convenient in my daily life.
- Camera: The extra lenses on the A73 makes it more appealing to me. Additionally, the optical image stabilization (OIS) is a big deal for photo and video quality, especially in low light and while recording videos.
- Long Term Support: The fact that Samsung A73 is newer and will get 4 OS updates is also a deciding factor as I intend to use a smartphone for a long time.
While the Oppo Reno5 has merits with its fast charging and brighter display, the A73 offers better value overall for my needs.
