Samsung Galaxy A12 vs Motorola Moto G73 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date December 21, 2020 January 24, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 110.64 cm³ 98.86 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.17 "/g 3.59 "/g
Weight 205 g 181 g
Height 164 mm 161.4 mm
Width 75.8 mm 73.8 mm
Thickness 8.9 mm 8.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Midnight Blue
  • Lucent White

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.5 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 82.1 % 85.6 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 405 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.19 mAh/cm³ 50.57 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU PowerVR GE8320 IMG BXM-8-256

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 13
Maximum OS Version 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A12Motorola Moto G73Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm161.4 x 73.8 x 8.3 mmMoto G73 is more compact, potentially easier to handle with one hand.
Weight205g181gMoto G73 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use and pocketable.
Display
Size6.5"6.5"Both offer the same screen size, suitable for media consumption and general usage.
Resolution720x16001080x2400Moto G73 has much sharper visuals, more detail in text, images, videos.
Pixel Density (PPI)270405Moto G73 display appears much crisper, with less pixelation, enhancing overall clarity.
TechnologyPLS LCDIPS LCDMoto G73 provides better viewing angles and more accurate color representation.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzMoto G73 has smoother scrolling and animations, a much more fluid experience, especially in gaming and browsing.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsBrightness data is unavailable for both.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio P35 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm)Moto G73's chipset is significantly more powerful for all tasks, from basic use to demanding gaming.
AnTuTu Score103,000497,466Moto G73 is far faster in app loading, multitasking, and gaming, offering a smoother and more responsive experience.
GPUPowerVR GE8320IMG BXM-8-256Moto G73 offers superior graphics performance, better for gaming and graphics-intensive apps.
Camera
Main Camera48MP, f/2.050MP, f/1.8Moto G73 has a slightly wider aperture, enabling better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera8MP, f/2.216MP, f/2.4Moto G73 captures higher detail in selfies, even with a slightly narrower aperture.
Telephoto Lens2MP, f/2.4NoneGalaxy A12 has a telephoto lens for slightly enhanced optical zoom capabilities.
Wide Angle Lens5MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.2Moto G73's wide-angle lens captures higher resolution images.
Portrait Mode Lens2MP, f/2.4NoneGalaxy A12 has a dedicated depth sensor for improved bokeh in portrait photography.
Video Recording1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fpsMoto G73 can record smoother 60fps videos, Galaxy A12 is limited to 30fps.
Slow-MotionNoYes, 240 fpsMoto G73 has high-quality slow-motion video capabilities.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth provide comparable battery life; battery endurance is likely similar.
Charging15W Fast Charging30W Fast ChargingMoto G73 charges much faster, reducing waiting time.
Battery TypeLi-IonLi-PolymerLi-Polymer batteries are generally more modern and can have higher energy density and potentially better longevity.
Other
Operating SystemAndroid 10 (upgradable to 12)Android 13Moto G73 has a more current OS, more up-to-date features and security; likely to receive updates for longer.
Wi-Fi802.11 a/b/g/n802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax(Wi-Fi 6)Moto G73 offers faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks with WiFi 6.
Bluetooth5.05.3Moto G73 offers newer Bluetooth version offering better connectivity and energy efficiency.
Internal Storage32/64/128 GB128/256 GBMoto G73 offers higher storage options.
RAM3/4/6 GB8 GBMoto G73 has much more RAM which is better for multitasking and future proofing.
AudioBasicDolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphonesMoto G73 has much better audio quality with stereo speakers and additional features.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:

  • Telephoto lens: Offers a dedicated lens for optical zoom, which the Moto G73 lacks, enabling better close-up shots.
  • Depth Sensor: Dedicated depth sensor to enhance portrait photos (bokeh).

Motorola Moto G73 Advantages:

  • Significantly Superior Performance: The Dimensity 930 chipset is vastly more powerful than the Helio P35, making the phone much faster and more responsive.
  • Higher Resolution Display: Full HD+ resolution offers a sharper, clearer viewing experience.
  • Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a much more fluid experience, especially noticeable in gaming and scrolling.
  • Faster Charging: 30W charging significantly reduces battery charging time compared to the A12's 15W.
  • Modern OS: Comes with Android 13 out of the box.
  • Better Main Camera: Wider aperture for improved low-light shots.
  • Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and larger pixel size for better selfies.
  • Better Wide Angle Lens: Higher resolution sensor for more detailed wide angle shots.
  • Enhanced Audio: Features stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos for a better audio experience.
  • Faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 offering faster speeds, better coverage and energy efficiency.
  • More RAM and Storage: Comes with more RAM for better multitasking.

Trade-offs:

  • The Galaxy A12 offers a telephoto lens and dedicated depth sensor, but the Moto G73 prioritizes overall camera performance with its main camera and better selfie capabilities.
  • Galaxy A12 is more outdated in terms of software, processor and display.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy A12 is ideal for:

  • Users on a very tight budget: If price is the absolute priority, the A12 is cheaper to purchase, though it comes with significant compromises.
  • Users who value telephoto and depth sensors: If you specifically need zoom capabilities or the portrait bokeh effect, the A12 is a reasonable option.
  • Users with basic smartphone needs: Suitable for basic social media, calls, and simple apps.

Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A12:

  • Casual social media browsing
  • Simple photography with telephoto and portrait modes
  • Basic app usage and communication

Motorola Moto G73 is ideal for:

  • Users who prioritize performance: Those who need smooth multitasking, responsive apps, and a lag-free experience.
  • Gamers: The powerful chipset, high refresh rate, and better GPU enhance gaming performance.
  • Multimedia consumers: High-resolution display and stereo speakers provide an immersive media experience.
  • Users who want faster charging: 30W fast charging is much more convenient.
  • Users who want a more modern experience: Comes with a newer version of Android and more future-proof in terms of technology and performance.

Use Cases for Motorola Moto G73:

  • Demanding gaming
  • Extensive media consumption (video, music)
  • Smooth multitasking and app performance
  • Faster charging, better camera in most scenarios and longer software support.

Price-to-value Ratio:

  • The Moto G73 offers significantly better value for money, providing a substantial performance boost and a more modern user experience for its price.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What's my budget limit? The A12 is cheaper, but the Moto G73 offers more bang for the buck.
  2. How important is performance and smoothness to me? The Moto G73 is far superior for demanding tasks.
  3. Do I need a telephoto lens and/or a depth sensor, or do I need better image quality from my main and selfie cameras? The A12 has a dedicated lens and sensor whereas the Moto G73 excels in most other areas of the camera.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious): If budget is the primary concern and basic functionality is sufficient, the Samsung Galaxy A12 can be a reasonable option.
  • Scenario 2 (Performance Focused): If you need a phone for gaming, media consumption, or heavy app usage, the Motorola Moto G73 is the clear choice.
  • Scenario 3 (Photography): If you need the zoom from the telephoto lens of the Galaxy A12 and do not care about selfie camera quality, that could be a reason to pick it. However, the Moto G73 offers better image quality with its main and selfie cameras and overall better camera experience.

My Choice

I would choose the Motorola Moto G73 without hesitation.

Reasons:

  • The performance difference is vast. The Moto G73 is significantly faster, smoother, and more responsive, which enhances the overall user experience, making daily tasks more enjoyable and efficient.
  • The display of the Moto G73 is far superior, offering a much sharper and smoother visual experience thanks to the higher resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. This makes a huge difference for gaming, video streaming, and even general browsing.
  • The camera on the Moto G73 is better in most situations, especially when it comes to low light. The higher-resolution selfie camera is also a significant plus.
  • The faster charging on the Moto G73 is a practical advantage, saving me time and keeping the phone operational when I need it most.
  • The newer OS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth versions make the Moto G73 more future-proof and more up to date.
  • The enhanced audio quality is an important element for a phone that is used for media consumption.

Although the Samsung Galaxy A12 provides a telephoto lens and depth sensor, these are outweighed by the Moto G73's overall advantages in performance, display, camera quality, and overall user experience.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.