1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | The A72 is larger and slightly thicker. The Edge 50 Ultra will feel slightly more compact and easier to hold. |
| Weight | 203g | 197g | Edge 50 Ultra is slightly lighter, which might be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen size, leading to a similar viewing experience in terms of physical dimensions. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1220x2712 | Edge 50 Ultra's higher resolution offers a noticeably sharper image, beneficial for detailed content. |
| PPI | 394 | 446 | The higher pixel density on the Edge 50 Ultra results in crisper text and images, especially noticeable when viewing detailed content or reading small text. |
| Technology | AMOLED | P-OLED | Similar display technologies offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Edge 50 Ultra's 144Hz provides significantly smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 2500 nits | The Edge 50 Ultra's display is much brighter, offering superior visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Edge 50 Ultra has a much more powerful, modern chipset, resulting in snappier performance for demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 1,523,879 | The Edge 50 Ultra has significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 735 | Edge 50 Ultra's GPU is much more powerful, crucial for gaming and graphically intense applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.3", 2.0µm | The Edge 50 Ultra has a larger sensor and larger pixels, likely providing better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.0µm | None | The A72 has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens, enabling better zoomed images and portrait photos. The Edge 50 Ultra does not have a dedicated portrait lens. |
| Selfie | 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Edge 50 Ultra has a higher resolution and wider aperture, offering better quality selfies in various lighting conditions. |
| Telephoto lens | None | 64MP, f/2.4, 1/2", 0.70µm | The Edge 50 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens, offering better zoomed images. |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The Edge 50 Ultra's wide-angle lens has higher resolution and a wider aperture, capturing more detail and better low-light performance. |
| Macro | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | None | A72 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. Edge 50 Ultra does not have a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS, up to 1080p@960fps | Edge 50 Ultra has more video recording modes, including higher frame rates and slow motion recording. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 92 | 146 | Edge 50 Ultra has a much higher camera performance rating. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | A72 has a larger battery, offering potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W | 125W | The Edge 50 Ultra charges significantly faster. |
| Features | 15W charger included | 50W wireless, 10W reverse wireless, reverse charging | Edge 50 Ultra offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, providing more convenience. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, up to 12 | Android 14, up to 17 | Edge 50 Ultra runs a more modern Android version and will receive more future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 7 | Edge 50 Ultra supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 LE | Edge 50 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version with lower energy consumption. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Edge 50 Ultra offers more accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Edge 50 Ultra supports eSIM, providing more flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 512GB/1024GB | Edge 50 Ultra has much more internal storage. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | 12GB/16GB | Edge 50 Ultra has substantially more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Edge 50 Ultra's 3 microphones enhance audio capture quality for video recording and calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security using a fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Edge 50 Ultra has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | A72 has additional sensors compared to Edge 50 Ultra. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The A72 has a 5000mAh battery, which might provide slightly longer battery life than the Edge 50 Ultra's 4500mAh battery.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: The A72 features a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography which is not available on the Edge 50 Ultra.
- Dedicated Telephoto/Portrait lens: The A72 features a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens for zoomed pictures and portrait mode which is not available on the Edge 50 Ultra
- Hall, Geomagnetic sensors: The A72 has additional sensors compared to the Edge 50 Ultra.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset is significantly more powerful, providing a much faster user experience for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Superior Display: The higher resolution, higher pixel density, 144Hz refresh rate, and much higher brightness display significantly improve the viewing experience.
- Better Camera System: Larger sensors, wider apertures, and higher DxOMark scores indicate better image and video quality, particularly in low light. It also has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed pictures.
- Much Faster Charging: 125W fast charging significantly reduces the time spent charging the phone.
- Advanced Features: Wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, eSIM support, and the latest Wi-Fi standards offer greater convenience and future-proofing.
- More Storage and RAM: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra features much more storage and ram for demanding tasks.
- More Modern Software: Comes with a more recent version of Android with a promise of more future updates.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A72 trades a substantial performance upgrade for a slightly larger battery, dedicated macro lens, and telephoto/portrait lens.
- The Edge 50 Ultra sacrifices some battery capacity and macro lens for a superior overall experience and future-proofing.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users looking for a decent display, adequate battery life, and good camera for everyday use at a more affordable price point.
- Casual Photographers: Individuals who value a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens and a macro camera for creative shots.
Users who prioritize battery life: Users who need their phone to last a long time without requiring frequent recharges.
Use Cases:
- Daily social media usage and content consumption.
- Casual photography of landscapes and close-up objects.
- Longer battery life during long periods away from a charger.
- Users who prioritize a dedicated macro camera
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Gamers, multitaskers, and professionals who need top-tier performance and speed.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality photos and videos and need a versatile camera system, including better low-light performance, and telephoto capabilities.
Tech Enthusiasts: Individuals who want the latest features, fast charging, and a cutting-edge display, as well as the latest software.
Use Cases:
- Playing demanding mobile games.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Shooting high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.
- Working with multiple apps simultaneously.
- Utilizing wireless charging and eSIM capabilities.
- Viewing content on a sharp and bright display.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Galaxy A72, being an older device, would likely be available at a lower price point, making it attractive to budget-conscious buyers.
- The Edge 50 Ultra commands a higher price but offers a significantly superior overall experience, justifying the cost for users who value top-tier performance and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, daily usage, etc.)
- How important are performance and speed? (Do you need the latest chipset?)
- What is your budget? (Are you willing to pay a premium for top-tier features?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If budget is the primary concern, the Galaxy A72 is a capable device for basic daily tasks and casual photography. However, the user will have to sacrifice a lot on performance and video recording capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Focused User: For users who need the best possible performance, display, and overall experience, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: For users who prioritize photography, the Edge 50 Ultra provides a more versatile and higher-performing camera system, particularly in low light conditions. However, the A72 might be better for those who like macro and portrait photos.
- Scenario 4: Battery Life Focus: If all you care about is battery life, the A72 will probably be a better choice, but keep in mind you'll have to sacrifice performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
Personal Choice and Explanation
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra.
Here's why:
- Future-Proofing: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra's modern chipset, display, and advanced features (such as Wi-Fi 7 and the latest Bluetooth standard) ensure it will remain a high-performing device for years to come. The A72, on the other hand, is already an older device.
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers a substantially superior experience, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and an overall snappier user experience.
- Camera Versatility: While the A72 has a macro lens, the Edge 50 Ultra's main and telephoto lenses are significantly better overall, with superior low-light performance, more detail, and wider apertures, as well as better video quality.
- Superior Display: The higher resolution, higher refresh rate, and exceptional brightness of the Edge 50 Ultra's display make viewing content more enjoyable.
- Fast Charging: I value convenience, and the 125W fast charging on the Edge 50 Ultra is a game-changer. The Motorola also offers much more versatile charging with the addition of wireless and reverse wireless charging.
- More Storage and RAM: I value storage and ram since I do a lot of multitasking with my phone, and the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra provides way more storage and RAM, which the A72 lacks.
While the Galaxy A72 offers a larger battery and a dedicated macro lens and is likely more affordable, the trade-offs in performance, display quality, and overall user experience are too significant for me. The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the superior phone for my needs and priorities and is worth the extra cost.
