1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 161.2 × 72.4 × 8.2 mm | The Motorola is smaller, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 203g | 186g | The Motorola is lighter, reducing fatigue during extended use. |
| Build | Specific build materials not listed | Specific build materials not listed | Without specific materials, it's hard to assess robustness and feel. Motorola has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both phones offer the same screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | The Motorola has a noticeably sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 394 | 446 | The Motorola's higher pixel density makes the display look crisper and more detailed. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Both technologies offer vibrant colors and good contrast. P-OLED is considered a very similar quality display technology to AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | The Motorola's display is significantly smoother, improving the experience of scrolling, animations and gaming. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 2000 nits | The Motorola's screen is much brighter, vastly improving visibility in sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Motorola has a much more powerful and efficient processor, resulting in better overall performance, smoother multitasking and gaming, and improved battery life due to more efficient architecture. |
| Antutu Score | 285,000 | 866,863 | The Motorola offers dramatically higher performance, making apps and games much faster. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 720 | The Motorola's GPU provides substantially better graphics performance for gaming and graphics-intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.80 µm | 50MP, f/1.4, 2.00 µm | The Motorola's larger pixels and wider aperture should allow for better low-light performance, despite a lower megapixel count. The Samsung has a slightly higher resolution which might be beneficial in well-lit conditions. |
| Telephoto | 8MP, f/2.4, 1.00 µm | 10MP, f/2.0, 1.00 µm | Both offer telephoto capabilities, useful for zoomed photography with similar pixel size. Motorola's sensor has a wider aperture, potentially better in lower light. The Motorola also has this as a dedicated lens, while the Samsung has a combined telephoto + portrait lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.80 µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 0.64 µm | The Motorola's higher resolution and wider aperture offer potentially better detail and low light performance for selfies, despite smaller pixel size. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | Both offer very similar wide angle lenses with very similar specs. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm | Not present | Samsung has a dedicated macro lens, enabling closeup photography. Motorola lacks a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | Up to 4K@30fps with HDR, EIS, 1080p@120fps with HDR, EIS | The Motorola provides HDR video and higher framerates in 1080p, offering more flexibility in video recording. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 92, Photo: 100, Video: 78 | Not tested | The Samsung has a higher tested photo score, but no video benchmark. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, OIS | Triple camera, OIS, Time-Lapse, 4K Video, Continuous autofocus, Dual capture, RAW | Both offer OIS and autofocus. Motorola adds 4k Video, Time-Lapse, RAW capabilities and continuous autofocus, while Samsung offers a dedicated macro lens. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Samsung has a larger battery, suggesting potentially longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 125W fast charging, 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless charging | The Motorola charges much faster and offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, offering superior versatility. |
| Features | 15W fast charger included | Reverse charging, 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless charging | The Motorola has multiple charging capabilities, while Samsung only has a charger included in the box. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 (upgradable to 17) | The Motorola has a much newer OS, offering access to latest features and security patches. It also has much longer software support. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be/6E | The Motorola supports the newest WiFi standards with much higher speed, lower latency, and access to more bands (6GHz), which makes it much better for downloading and uploading large files. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 LE | The Motorola has a newer version with better power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | The Motorola has more accurate and faster GPS due to better satellite support, resulting in more accurate navigation. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | The Motorola offers the option of using a digital SIM. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 256GB, 512GB or 1024 GB | The Motorola has more options for storage, especially higher storage, allowing you to store large numbers of files and videos. |
| RAM | 6GB or 8GB | 12GB or 16GB | The Motorola has more RAM, leading to smoother multitasking, especially useful when running several apps in the background. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for external storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | The Motorola's three microphones provides better audio recording and noise cancellation, leading to better audio quality during calls or video recording. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both phones have the same fingerprint sensor type for basic security. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Motorola screen is much more resistant to scratches and damage. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Samsung has additional Hall and Geomagnetic sensors, but for most users the sensor suites are similar. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Edge 50 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly better performance: The newer Snapdragon chipset offers dramatically faster processing and graphics, leading to a smoother experience.
- Superior display: Higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness result in a sharper, smoother, and more visible display, especially in outdoor conditions.
- Much faster charging: 125W wired and 50W wireless charging provide significantly faster charging times compared to the Samsung's 25W charging.
- Better camera features: The camera system is more flexible, with features such as 4K video, RAW, Time-Lapse, better low light performance, and continuous autofocus.
- Newer software: Comes with a more recent version of Android with longer software update support.
- More modern connectivity: Supports newer WiFi 7 standards, Bluetooth 5.4 LE, and more accurate GPS.
- Better audio: 3 microphones allows for better sound recording and noise cancellation.
- Better screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protects against scratches and damage.
Practical Implications: The Motorola is significantly more future-proof with its superior performance, modern connectivity, and software. It provides a better experience for gaming, video recording, and general usage with a display that's brighter and smoother.
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The A72 has a 500 mAh larger battery which might give it slightly longer battery life.
- Macro lens: A dedicated macro lens enables close-up photography, which is missing on the Motorola.
- Higher rated main camera in daylight conditions: The A72 has a slightly higher megapixel count on its main camera, which might offer slight benefits in optimal conditions.
Practical Implications: The Samsung Galaxy A72's advantages are less significant, with the larger battery only having minor practical benefits. The additional macro lens might be helpful for niche users interested in close-up photography.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 is notably slower and has a much older OS compared to the Motorola.
- The Motorola's superior charging speed and wireless capabilities mean it's more convenient and charges much faster.
- The Samsung lacks key features that the Motorola has, such as RAW camera output, time-lapse mode, and advanced WiFi and GPS features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Motorola Edge 50 Pro:
- Power Users: People who demand fast performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Content Creators: Users who shoot a lot of video, including in low-light conditions, and need fast charging.
- Media Consumers: Users who value a high-quality display with smooth refresh rates for enjoyable video and gaming experiences.
- Tech Enthusiasts: People who want the latest connectivity features, such as WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 LE, and the most up to date software.
- Travelers: Users who want the latest GPS and eSIM features, plus a highly resistant screen with the latest protection.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming: High refresh rate, powerful GPU, and fast charging.
- Video recording: Better low-light capability, 4K video, and continuous autofocus.
- Outdoor use: Very bright display for visibility in direct sunlight.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A72:
- Budget Conscious users: Users who are trying to spend the least amount possible, and are ok with old hardware, slower performance and not having the newest features.
- Users who like macro photography: People who need a dedicated macro lens for close up photography.
- Users who prefer Samsung: People who like Samsung devices.
Specific Use Cases:
- Casual use: Basic tasks such as browsing the web and social media, and don't need the newest and fastest features.
- Macro photography: Users who frequently take pictures of very small objects.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers significantly better value for the price due to its superior performance, display, and features.
- The Samsung Galaxy A72, while potentially cheaper, offers a much worse experience, and is much less future-proof.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance and responsiveness? If smooth multitasking and fast app loading are priorities, the Motorola is the clear winner.
- What are your display needs? If you prioritize a clear, smooth, and bright display, especially for outdoor use, the Motorola stands out.
- How often do you record video, and is fast charging important? For frequent video recording and the need for quick charging, the Motorola is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Gamers or Heavy Users: Choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro for its superior processing power, display, and charging capabilities.
- For Casual Users on a Budget: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72 for a more affordable option, but be aware of its outdated technology and slower performance.
- For Content Creators: The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is the preferred device due to its better camera capabilities, including 4K video, RAW and superior low light, and fast charging.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Pro. The performance difference is enormous. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro's modern chipset, superior display, and much faster charging makes it a significantly better phone for modern usage. While the Samsung Galaxy A72 may have a slightly larger battery and dedicated macro lens, these are niche advantages, while the Motorola is vastly superior for everyday use with a much better screen, performance, faster charging, and better software support. The Edge 50 Pro is more future-proof, and will offer a much more enjoyable experience for the long run.
