1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 161.8 × 73.5 × 8.4 mm | A72 is slightly larger, which might impact single-handed use for some users. Both have the same thickness. |
| Weight | 203g | 198.5g | Virtually identical weight, no significant difference in feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.67" | Very similar screen size; negligible difference in daily use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Same resolution; similar clarity. |
| Pixel Density | 394 PPI | 395 PPI | Virtually identical sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Similar display quality, colors, and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Motorola offers smoother scrolling, gaming, and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 1250 nits | Motorola provides significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola is much faster in app loading, multitasking, and demanding games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,231,300 | Motorola's performance is drastically higher, resulting in much smoother overall experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 730 | Motorola offers significantly better graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Res. | 64MP | 200MP | Motorola captures more detailed images; significantly higher resolution. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.95 | Samsung performs slightly better in low-light in theory due to the wider aperture. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | N/A | 1/1.22" | Motorola is expected to be better in low light due to the larger sensor |
| Standard Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 0.64 µm | Samsung has larger individual pixels (0.80 µm); although the 200MP sensor on the Motorola should result in better low-light performance. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 8MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung has dedicated telephoto/portrait lens for zoomed photos. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 32MP | 60MP | Motorola captures higher-resolution selfies, leading to more detail. |
| Selfie Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 0.64 µm | Samsung's larger pixel size may result in better low-light performance but overall the 60MP sensor of the Motorola will be superior. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 12MP, f/1.6 | Motorola provides dedicated zoom capabilities for distant objects. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.2 | Motorola's wide-angle captures much more detailed wide scenes. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung has dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 1080p@960fps | Motorola allows for higher resolution and better high speed recording capabilities. |
| DXOMark Score | Main: 92 | Not tested | Samsung's camera performance is evaluated by a third party while no data is available for the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4610mAh | Samsung likely has marginally better battery life due to larger capacity. |
| Charging Speed | 25W | 125W | Motorola charges significantly faster; a few minutes of charging can be enough for a few hours of usage. |
| Wireless Charging | None | 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless | Motorola offers convenient wireless charging and can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 12) | Android 12 (up to 13) | Motorola has a newer OS version and will receive updates for a longer period of time. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | Motorola has a faster, more stable connection in areas with multiple devices. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Motorola supports faster and more energy-efficient connections to wireless audio and other devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Motorola offers more accurate location tracking and faster fixes. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both support dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256GB | 128/256GB | Same options for onboard storage. |
| RAM | 6/8GB | 8/12GB | Motorola allows for better multitasking with more RAM, especially the 12GB model. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Motorola can provide a better sound for recordings and better experience with calls. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Basic | Both offer basic biometric security via a fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass 5 | Motorola has superior scratch and impact protection for the screen. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Similar sensor suites, though the specific addition of "Hall" and "Geomagnetic" on the A72 and "Gravity" on the Edge 30 Ultra are difficult to place a real-world impact on. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery may offer marginally longer battery life than the Motorola's 4610mAh.
- Dedicated Telephoto/Portrait and Macro Lens: Offers more versatility in photography with dedicated lenses for zoom and close-up shots.
- Wider Aperture (Standard Camera): In theory, the f/1.8 aperture may result in slightly better low-light performance (Although this would likely not be the case with its older sensor).
- DXOMark Camera Score: Has a published score for photo and video performance, although this test is old and might not reflect the current state of the device.
- Larger Pixel Size (Standard and Front Camera): Theoretically, better low-light performance due to larger individual pixels (although the sensor itself is older).
- More bluetooth profiles: Potentially better compatibility with a wide range of accessories
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Advantages:
- Much Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Significantly Better Display: Higher refresh rate (144Hz vs 90Hz) and brightness (1250 nits vs 800 nits) offer a smoother and more visible experience.
- Superior Camera System: 200MP main sensor, a 50MP Ultrawide lens and a 60MP front-facing camera result in more detailed images and video.
- Faster Charging: 125W wired and 50W wireless charging for much quicker charging times.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 LE for faster and more stable connections.
- More satellite systems for GPS: Resulting in a more accurate location tracking
- More RAM: 8/12GB of RAM for better multitasking.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protects the screen from scratches and impacts.
- Superior Video Recording Capabilities: 8K recording at 30fps and slow motion at 960fps
- Better audio quality: 2 microphones for improved voice capture
- Newer OS: Android 12 with an upgrade to 13
Trade-offs:
- Samsung A72: Slower performance, older software, and less impressive display but dedicated lenses and a slightly larger battery
- Motorola Edge 30 Ultra: No dedicated macro lens, slightly smaller battery, no DXOMark camera score, slightly smaller pixel size (though paired with much newer sensors) and potentially less bluetooth compatibility.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious User: Seeking a capable phone at a more affordable price point, not prioritizing top-tier performance.
- Photography Enthusiast (Limited Budget): Appreciates a versatile camera system with dedicated telephoto and macro lenses, rather than best-in-class quality.
- Multimedia Consumer: Enjoys a large AMOLED display for watching videos and browsing social media with decent battery life.
- Less Demanding User: Mostly using social media, browsing, and light applications.
- Prefer longer battery life: the 5000mah battery may last longer for some users.
Use Cases:
- Everyday social media, web browsing, and light gaming.
- Capturing a wide variety of photos with its different camera lenses.
- Watching videos on a large, colorful display.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra Ideal User:
- Performance Seeker: Demands top-tier performance for demanding tasks like gaming, multitasking, and heavy app usage.
- Photography Enthusiast: Wants excellent image and video quality with a versatile camera system.
- Mobile Professional: Needs a fast, reliable phone with excellent connectivity and fast charging.
- Power User: Requires a smooth, responsive experience with a high refresh rate display and fast processing.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Taking high-resolution photos and videos, including 8K content.
- Quickly charging the device between meetings or commutes.
- Multitasking between multiple apps and tasks.
- Needs a highly visible display under bright sunlight
- Wants better quality for videos and voice calls
- Needs a highly accurate GPS
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is top-tier performance? If you prioritize speed, responsiveness, and gaming, the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the clear choice. If your usage is light to medium and you're on a tighter budget, the Samsung Galaxy A72 is acceptable.
- What is your typical camera usage? If you prioritize versatile lenses for different photography situations (macro, telephoto), the Samsung might be more suited. If higher-resolution images, better video, and wide-angle shots are more important, the Motorola is the better pick.
- How important is a smooth and bright display? If you value a very smooth refresh rate and excellent outdoor visibility, the Motorola’s screen will be far more superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-End Gaming: Choose Motorola Edge 30 Ultra for its superior performance, smoother display, and better gaming experience.
- Scenario 2: Versatile Photography on a Budget: Choose Samsung Galaxy A72 for its dedicated telephoto and macro lenses and lower price.
- Scenario 3: Power User Needing Quick Charging: Choose Motorola Edge 30 Ultra for its 125W fast charging, wireless charging, and higher performance.
- Scenario 4: Value-Focused Daily Use: Choose Samsung Galaxy A72 for a solid experience on a budget, especially if you prefer to have a dedicated telephoto and macro lens.
- Scenario 5: Outdoor Usage: Choose Motorola Edge 30 Ultra for its significantly brighter display for much better sunlight visibility.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would pick the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra. While I appreciate the Samsung's dedicated lenses, the overall package of the Motorola is simply much more appealing. The drastically better performance, significantly brighter and smoother display, superior camera system (despite lacking dedicated lenses), and much faster charging make it a more future-proof and enjoyable device to use. The Motorola also has an edge with newer software, better audio and better connectivity. The Samsung is a good choice for those on a tight budget but the premium experience of the Motorola is far superior.
