1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.2 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 161.4 × 73.8 × 8.3 mm | Moto G73 is slightly more compact and thinner, potentially feeling more comfortable to hold. The A02s is larger and may feel bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 196g | 181g | The Moto G73 is noticeably lighter, making it easier to handle for long periods and less tiring in the pocket. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both have the same screen size. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Moto G73 has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images and a better viewing experience. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 405 PPI | The Moto G73 offers a significantly sharper picture, meaning less pixelation and more detailed visuals. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Moto G73's IPS LCD generally offers better viewing angles and color accuracy compared to PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Moto G73's 120Hz refresh rate leads to much smoother scrolling and animations, making the phone feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both displays have the same peak brightness. (Note: "0 nits" is likely an incorrect spec - actual brightness would vary) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Dimensity 930 (6 nm) | Moto G73 offers significantly better performance, with faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better graphics for gaming. The A02s might struggle with demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 74,800 | 497,466 | The Moto G73 delivers significantly faster performance overall. The A02s is suitable for basic tasks but will feel slow for most demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | IMG BXM-8-256 | Moto G73's GPU provides significantly better graphics performance, especially in gaming and graphically intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 13MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The Moto G73 captures significantly more detailed photos with its higher resolution sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 | Moto G73 takes much sharper and more detailed selfies. A02s has a slightly wider aperture, which may be slightly better in low light, though resolution is more impactful here. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | Moto G73 offers the versatility of a wide-angle lens, allowing you to capture more of a scene. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A02s has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode; its usefulness is limited by the low resolution. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A02s has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photos; its usefulness is limited by low resolution. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps | Moto G73 offers 60 fps option, and also supports 240 fps slow motion. The A02s only does 30 fps and has no slow motion. |
| Features | Triple Cam, PDAF | Dual Cam, 4K Video, DIS, Ultra Stable Video | Moto G73 offers more advanced features like 4K video, image stabilization and is better equipped to capture high quality video. A02s has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, which is arguably less useful than the features on the G73. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have identical battery capacity, meaning comparable battery life, assuming similar usage patterns. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | The Moto G73 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime when charging. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer is more resistant to thermal expansion compared to Li-Ion, and also has a longer lifespan. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB | 128GB/256GB | The Moto G73 has much more internal storage, which is helpful if you store a lot of media. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 8GB | Moto G73's larger RAM capacity allows for smoother multitasking and faster performance with apps, resulting in less slowdown. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to 12 | Android 13 | The Moto G73 has a much newer version of Android, potentially bringing improved features and better security support. It is likely to receive updates longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | The Moto G73 supports faster and more modern Wi-Fi standards, offering better performance and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 LE | 5.3 LE, aptX, LDAC, AAC | The Moto G73 uses a newer version of Bluetooth with better range, power efficiency and supports better audio codecs for higher quality audio streaming to compatible devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), NavIC System | The Moto G73 provides a higher accuracy location with support for additional satellites and frequencies, especially useful in challenging conditions. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Moto G73 offers better sound with stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support for spatial audio, and two microphones for clearer voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Basic security features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Moto G73 provides the convenience of a fingerprint sensor for biometric unlock. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | The Moto G73 offers more sensors, including fingerprint and compass. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Samsung Galaxy A02s Advantages:
- Dedicated Depth and Macro Lens: Offers dedicated sensors for depth and macro photography, though their usefulness is limited by low resolution.
- Slightly Wider Aperture on Selfie Cam: Could potentially provide slightly better low-light performance on the selfie camera (but is limited by low resolution)
- Lower cost: Being older this phone may be cheaper on the used market.
Motorola Moto G73 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution and refresh rate providing a sharper, smoother visual experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Dimensity 930 chipset offers a substantially faster experience for all tasks.
- Enhanced Camera System: Higher resolution sensors on the main and selfie cameras with the addition of a wide-angle lens. Supports 4K video recording.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging significantly reduces charging times compared to 15W.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers twice the RAM and significantly more storage, resulting in smoother multitasking and storage of more files.
- Newer Software: Launched with Android 13, offering more recent features, security, and potentially longer software support.
- Better Connectivity: Supports more modern Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, providing faster and more reliable connections.
- Superior Audio: Includes stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, and has two microphones for better voice quality.
- Added Security: Fingerprint sensor for convenience and security
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A02s has a dedicated depth and macro camera.
- The Samsung A02s may be the cheaper option when bought used.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02s:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users with very basic needs, such as calling, texting, light social media use, and simple photography.
- Use Cases:
- A first smartphone for someone who wants to try a smartphone for the first time
- Backup phone or a phone for use with a second sim card
- Occasional social media user
- Value Proposition: Offers a functional smartphone experience at the lowest possible cost, even if the experience is not the best.
Motorola Moto G73:
- Ideal User: Users who want a smooth, responsive, and versatile smartphone experience with a decent camera and good performance without breaking the bank.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday use with social media, browsing, and various apps.
- Mobile gaming at moderate settings.
- Photography and video for casual use.
- Media consumption: watching videos and streaming music.
- Users who appreciate fast charging.
- Those who want a longer-lasting phone, with a recent operating system
- Value Proposition: Offers a well-rounded, high-performance smartphone experience for its price point, excelling in display, performance, and camera quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The Samsung A02s will be the cheaper option, especially second-hand, but it comes with many performance limitations.
- How important is performance? If you use your phone for gaming, multitasking, and app usage, the Moto G73 will provide a significantly better experience.
- How important is a good display and camera? The Moto G73 excels in this aspect, offering a higher resolution display and a significantly better main camera.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Ultra-Budget User
- If your absolute priority is to spend as little as possible, even at the expense of performance, display quality and camera, the Samsung A02s is your only option.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User
- If you want a smooth experience for daily tasks, casual gaming, and photography, and can spend a bit more, the Motorola Moto G73 is the better choice by a wide margin.
- Scenario 3: Performance User
- If you do more performance-demanding tasks, the Motorola G73 should be the minimum level you should be aiming for.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Moto G73.
The main reason is that the performance difference between the two phones is massive. The benchmark score clearly shows that the Moto G73 is more than 5 times faster than the Samsung A02s, and in day-to-day use, this translates to a much more responsive, fluid, and lag-free experience. Coupled with this the significantly higher display resolution and refresh rate, results in a greatly improved visual experience.
The camera on the Moto G73 is also a big upgrade, allowing for more detailed photos. The additional features of the Moto G73, including 4K video, a wide-angle lens, and a fingerprint sensor, make it a much more versatile and modern phone. It also supports the latest Bluetooth and Wifi standards, which are both advantageous.
While the Samsung A02s may be cheaper, the overall experience would likely lead to more frustration and dissatisfaction, especially in the long term.
In conclusion, while both phones have the same battery capacity, the Moto G73 provides a vastly better user experience in terms of display, camera, performance, and features, making it worth the additional cost.
