1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 161.4 × 73.8 × 8.3 mm | The Moto G73 is slightly smaller, narrower, and thinner, potentially making it more comfortable to hold and pocket. The A02 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 206g | 181g | The Moto G73 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less fatiguing to hold. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both have the same screen size. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Moto G73's higher resolution results in a noticeably sharper and clearer display with more detail, better for viewing videos, photos, and text. |
| PPI | 270 | 405 | The Moto G73's higher pixel density provides a sharper image, making text and images look less pixelated, more defined. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | The Moto G73's IPS LCD typically offers slightly better viewing angles and color accuracy compared to the PLS LCD of the A02, resulting in more consistent colors and clearer images when viewing the screen from various angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Moto G73's 120Hz refresh rate provides significantly smoother animations and scrolling, leading to a more fluid user experience, especially in games and social media apps. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, though these values are unrealistic and likely missing or erroneous. Actual brightness may vary. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm) | The Moto G73’s 6nm chipset is significantly more powerful and energy-efficient than the A02's 28nm chip, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness. |
| AnTuTu Score | 50,774 | 497,466 | The Moto G73 has much higher score, indicating substantially better real-world performance, including smoother gameplay, and more responsive overall operations. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | IMG BXM-8-256 | The Moto G73's GPU will offer better graphics performance, leading to better gaming and smoother UI transitions than the A02. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera | 13MP, f/1.9 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The Moto G73 has a much higher resolution sensor, and a wider aperture, which means better photo quality in various lighting conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.0 | 16MP, f/2.4 | The Moto G73 has a much higher resolution front camera for better quality selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | The Moto G73 can capture wider scenes, making it more versatile for group photos and landscapes. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The A02 allows close-up photography of small subjects. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 1080p@60fps | The Moto G73 offers additional 1080p@60fps for higher quality videos and slow-motion recording capabilities. |
| Video Features | Stabilization: No | Stabilization: Yes | The Moto G73 has image stabilization for smoother videos. |
| Camera Features | Basic set | Includes: 4K Video, Digital Image Stabilization, Manual Focus, Front Flash, Night Mode | Moto G73 provides more options, especially for advanced users who want a robust camera experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same capacity for long-lasting performance. |
| Charging | 7.5W | 30W | The Moto G73 charges much faster, reducing downtime for the user. |
| Battery type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | The Moto G73 has Li-Polymer, which is a modern battery technology. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 11) | Android 13 | The Moto G73 has a much more recent operating system, and that will provide a more up-to-date user experience with the latest security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | The Moto G73 supports newer Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds and better reliability. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 5.3 | The Moto G73 has Bluetooth 5.3 for better connectivity, range, and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), NavIC System | Moto G73 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM cards, allowing the use of two numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64GB | 128/256GB | The Moto G73 has significantly more storage options, suitable for more apps and media. |
| RAM | 2/3/4GB | 8GB | The Moto G73 has significantly more RAM, enabling better multitasking and more demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Moto G73 has better audio capabilities with stereo speakers and dual microphones for better sound and voice quality. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Moto G73 has biometric security for convenient unlocking. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | The Moto G73 offers additional biometric and compass for better functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G73 Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Dimensity 930 chipset provides a much smoother experience for gaming, multitasking, and app usage compared to the MT6739W in the A02.
- Superior Display: The higher resolution, pixel density, IPS panel, and 120Hz refresh rate provide a much sharper, smoother, and more enjoyable visual experience.
- Better Camera System: The 50MP main camera, wide-angle lens, and improved video features (stabilization, 4K options, front flash) offer more versatility and higher quality photos and videos.
- Faster Charging: With 30W charging, the G73 can replenish its battery much quicker than the A02, leading to less downtime.
- More Storage and RAM: The Moto G73 offers more RAM (8GB) and internal storage (up to 256 GB) for better multitasking and more content storage.
- Modern Features: The Moto G73 has features like a fingerprint sensor, newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, and more advanced GPS, providing a more modern and feature-rich experience.
- Up-to-date Software: With Android 13, the Moto G73 provides a much newer software experience.
Samsung Galaxy A02 Advantages:
- Macro Lens: The A02 features a macro lens for close-up shots, which the Moto G73 lacks.
- Potentially Lower Price: Being an older and less powerful model, the A02 might be available at a lower price point in certain markets.
Trade-offs:
- The A02's macro lens is its only advantage over the G73, which isn't very significant.
- The Moto G73 is superior in almost every single aspect, and it's only a trade off if the budget is really tight.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals on a very tight budget seeking a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing.
- Minimal Tech Users: People who primarily use their phone for basic communication and do not require advanced features or performance.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A02:
- Basic calling and texting
- Occasional web browsing
- Simple social media use
- Taking close up photos
- Use as a secondary device for basic tasks
Motorola Moto G73 Ideal Users:
- Value-Conscious Users: Those looking for a phone with strong performance, a good display, and a capable camera without paying premium prices.
- Multimedia Consumers: People who frequently watch videos, play games, and engage with social media.
- Photography Enthusiasts (On a Budget): Users who want a good camera system with versatility and better output.
- Users needing faster charging: Anyone that needs their phone to be quickly charged and ready to go.
Use Cases for Motorola Moto G73:
- Smooth and responsive multitasking
- Immersive video streaming and gaming
- High-quality photo and video capture
- Quickly charging the phone before leaving
- Reliable daily use with a better performance
Price-to-Value:
- The Motorola Moto G73 offers a significantly better price-to-value ratio due to its superior performance, display, and features.
- The Samsung A02 only shines in the absolute most budget-conscious scenario.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? If on an extreme budget, the A02 is an option, but be prepared for significant compromises.
- How important is performance and responsiveness? If you use your phone for more than basic communication, the Moto G73 is the only way to go.
- What will I use the camera for? If photos are important to you, the G73 is the significantly better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Extremely Limited Budget, Basic Use - If your budget is super strict and you only need calls, text and very simple apps, the Samsung Galaxy A02 will do the job, although it will still be slow and frustrating to use.
- Scenario 2: Good Performance, Multimedia Consumption: If you want a smooth, enjoyable experience for everyday usage, especially in multimedia, then the Motorola Moto G73 is a clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Photography Focus: If you often take photos and want better video quality and features, then the Moto G73 is the better phone by a wide margin.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would unequivocally pick the Motorola Moto G73. The improvements it offers across almost every single category make it a much better daily driver. The significantly better performance, superior display, more capable cameras, faster charging, and modern features make it a no-brainer choice. While the Samsung Galaxy A02 has a macro lens, this is not enough to overcome its limitations, and the difference in price will probably be worth the cost considering how better the Moto G73 is in comparison.
I value having a phone that doesn't lag, is quick to charge, has a nice display for media consumption and a camera that I can rely on, which the Moto G73 provides flawlessly. The Samsung Galaxy A02, on the other hand, is simply too basic for my needs.
