Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02 vs. Motorola Moto G72
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Motorola Moto G72 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 160.5 × 74.4 × 7.9 mm | Moto G72 is more compact and thinner, making it easier to handle and carry. A02 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 206g | 166g | Moto G72 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use and portability. A02 is heavier and could be less convenient to carry. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in screen size; both are large enough for comfortable media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Moto G72's higher resolution leads to a noticeably sharper, clearer display for text, images, and videos. A02 will look noticeably less sharp. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 402 | Moto G72's higher pixel density results in finer detail and a more vibrant visual experience. A02 will appear less detailed. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | P-OLED | Moto G72's P-OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and wider viewing angles, providing a richer viewing experience. A02 has a standard LCD which is more basic in visual quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Moto G72's 120Hz refresh rate allows for smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming, which will be much more fluid compared to A02's basic 60Hz display. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness, however this is an inaccurate data point, it's possible they are not the same brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Moto G72's newer chipset offers significantly higher processing power, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. A02 will struggle more with demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 50,774 | 415,300 | Moto G72's significantly higher score translates to a much smoother and responsive user experience, capable of handling more demanding apps and games. A02 will feel very slow by comparison. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Moto G72's superior GPU provides better graphics processing, improving gaming performance and visual quality in apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Main) | 13MP, f/1.9 | 108MP, f/1.7 | Moto G72's main camera captures significantly more detail and performs better in low light due to a wider aperture and higher resolution. |
| Front Camera | 5MP, f/2.0 | 16MP | Moto G72's front camera captures more detailed and clearer selfies. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/1.9 | Moto G72 offers a wider field of view for landscape and group photos. A02 has no ultrawide option. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both are similar in macro performance, however the pixel size of the Moto G72 is larger (1.75μm vs. unspecified) which might improve low-light performance. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps | Moto G72 offers smoother video recording with 60fps and slow-motion at 120fps, whereas A02's is more basic at 30fps and no slow-motion. |
| Camera Features | Basic features | More advanced features like PDAF and LAF | Moto G72 features more advanced autofocus for faster, more reliable image capture. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life under identical usage patterns. |
| Charging | 7.5W | 33W | Moto G72 charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. A02 has extremely slow charging speeds. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12 | Moto G72 offers a more up-to-date OS, potentially including more features and security updates out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Moto G72 supports more modern WiFi bands and features leading to more consistent connection speeds, and less congestion on busy networks. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 5.0 | Moto G72 has a newer version of Bluetooth which can have a more stable and slightly faster connection. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Moto G72 offers more satellite options which can increase the accuracy of the GPS signal. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64GB | 128/256GB | Moto G72 offers significantly more storage capacity for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 2/3/4GB | 6/8GB | Moto G72 provides significantly more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phones offer expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Moto G72 offers stereo speakers which improves the audio experience, and Dolby Atmos providing good sound quality for headphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | Fingerprint sensor | Moto G72 offers more convenient and secure biometric unlocking using a fingerprint sensor, while A02 is limited to basic security features. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Moto G72 has a much more comprehensive set of sensors, leading to better motion tracking and enhanced functionality in applications that need these sensors, like maps, games, and AR apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, P-OLED technology, and a 120Hz refresh rate offer a much more vibrant and smooth visual experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Helio G99 chipset and more RAM translate to drastically faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
- Superior Camera: Higher-resolution main and front cameras, plus an ultrawide lens, lead to much better image quality and versatility.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging gets the phone powered up much quicker than the A02's 7.5W.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers provide a better audio experience for media.
- More Modern Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards ensure faster, more stable connections.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides convenient and secure biometric security.
- More comprehensive sensor suite: Gyroscope and Magnetometer provide advanced sensing functionality for more advanced applications.
- More Storage: Much more RAM and ROM available on the G72.
Samsung Galaxy A02 Advantages:
- Lower Price (Likely): The A02 is an older phone in the budget category and will be cheaper.
- Basic Smartphone Functionality: It provides basic smartphone functions at a very affordable price.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Moto G72 is more expensive: It offers a much superior experience overall, but it comes at a price.
- The A02 is a very basic smartphone: It provides the essentials but struggles with any demanding task.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A02:
- Extremely Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals who need the absolute cheapest smartphone possible, primarily for basic communication like calls and texts.
- First-Time Smartphone Users: Those who are new to smartphones and only need very basic functions, without high expectations for performance.
- Users with Limited Technical Needs: Those who need a phone for very limited, non-demanding tasks and do not consume a lot of media.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A02:
- Making basic phone calls and sending texts.
- Using very simple apps, such as a calculator or calendar.
- Very light web browsing.
Ideal User for Motorola Moto G72:
- Users Who Value Performance and Media: Individuals who prioritize smooth performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want a decent camera for everyday photos and videos.
- Users Who Want a Better Overall Experience: Users who want a device with better resolution, faster processing, and smoother scrolling and transitions.
- Users who want a more modern smartphone: Those who want more modern technologies such as stereo speakers, fingerprint scanner, NFC etc..
Use Cases for Motorola Moto G72:
- Smooth and responsive performance for social media and browsing.
- High-quality mobile gaming.
- Taking detailed and sharp photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Watching movies and videos with vibrant colors and high resolution.
- Multitasking between several apps seamlessly.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? How much are you willing to spend on a new smartphone?
- What will you primarily use the phone for? Will it be mainly for basic tasks, or do you need more from it such as mobile gaming, detailed photos, and consuming video?
- How much do you value a good user experience? Do you prioritize smooth performance, a vibrant display, and modern features or are you willing to make compromises for a low price?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use: If your budget is extremely limited and you only need basic smartphone functionality, the Samsung Galaxy A02 may be acceptable. Be aware that it will feel very slow compared to other modern devices.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Media Focus: If you want a smoother, faster, and more feature-rich experience with a better display, the Motorola Moto G72 is the better choice despite its higher cost. It's worth the investment for an enjoyable and performant experience.
- Scenario 3: Photography Priority: If camera quality is important, the Moto G72 is the clear winner, as it provides a higher resolution sensor, wider aperture, and an ultrawide lens.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would definitively choose the Motorola Moto G72.
Reasons:
The Samsung Galaxy A02 is too basic for me; it has very poor specs across the board. The Moto G72 provides a superior experience in practically every single way:
- Display: The P-OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate is a huge upgrade over the A02's basic LCD screen.
- Performance: The Helio G99 chipset is far more powerful than the MT6739W in the A02, leading to a much smoother and responsive experience.
- Camera: The 108MP camera with extra lenses is a huge step up from the basic camera provided with the A02.
- Features: The extra features such as the fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers, 33W fast charging and more modern software are important to me.
- Overall Experience: The combination of the display, performance, and modern features make the Moto G72 a significantly more enjoyable phone to use day-to-day.
Although it is more expensive than the A02, the overall value of the Motorola Moto G72 is much higher considering the much-improved user experience that it provides across the board. The A02 feels very outdated and sluggish compared to the more modern G72.
