1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Motorola Moto G (2023) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165 × 77.4 × 8.4 mm | 164 × 75 × 8.4 mm | Samsung A72 is slightly wider, potentially less comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 203g | 189g | Motorola is lighter, potentially more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | Samsung has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Samsung offers a significantly sharper image, making text and images appear clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 394 | 270 | Samsung's higher PPI results in finer details and clearer images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Samsung has richer colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Motorola provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 800 nits | 0 nits | Samsung's screen is much brighter for better outdoor visibility. Motorola's brightness is not listed. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | The Motorola scores better in benchmarks, suggesting faster app loading and smoother operation. |
| AnTuTu Score | 285,000 | 380,000 | Motorola has better benchmark performance, potentially translating to smoother gaming and multitasking |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 619 | Motorola offers a slightly newer GPU, potentially better for graphics-intensive tasks, but real world difference may be marginal |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Samsung charges faster, reducing waiting time to full battery. |
| Charger Included | 15W Fast Charger included | None mentioned | Samsung includes a fast charger in the box, a practical convenience. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.8 | 48MP, f/1.7 | Samsung captures more detailed photos, while Motorola's wider aperture potentially performs slightly better in low light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Lens | 8MP, f/2.4 (Samsung) | None (Motorola) | Samsung offers optical zoom capabilities for better quality zoom shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 (Samsung) | None (Motorola) | Samsung can take wide shots, which is helpful for landscape photography. |
| Macro Lens | 5MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung's macro lens offers more detail in close-up shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Samsung has much higher selfie resolution. Motorola has a slightly wider aperture for better low light performance |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps (Samsung) | 1080p@30fps (Motorola) | Samsung captures higher resolution and frame rate video with EIS; much better for video capture and sharing. |
| Video Stabilization | Yes (Samsung) | No (Motorola) | Samsung offers video stabilization, resulting in smoother recordings. |
| DxOMark Score | 92 (Samsung) | Not Tested | Samsung has superior camera performance based on DxOMark scores. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical Zoom, Quad Cam (Samsung) | RAW, Dual Cam (Motorola) | Samsung has features that enhance photo quality and flexibility, while Motorola allows RAW capture for editing. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 13 | Motorola has a newer operating system, which is more up to date. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Both support similar Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Motorola has slightly newer Bluetooth technology with LE, likely more power efficient. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Both have comparable GPS capabilities; Motorola has an extra SUPL |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Motorola has eSIM for more flexibility in carrier options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 128 GB | Samsung has options for more storage; Motorola is limited to 128GB |
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 4 GB | Samsung offers more RAM, better for multitasking and running demanding applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Samsung provides enhanced audio quality, while Motorola prioritizes voice recording. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | Motorola provides a faster, more convenient fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Details on screen protection are not available for either phone. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Samsung has extra Geomagnetic Sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A72 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness for a much better viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Better Camera System: More versatile with telephoto, wide-angle, and macro lenses; higher resolution main and selfie cameras, along with 4K video recording and OIS.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging significantly reduces charging time, and comes with included charger.
- More RAM: Options for more RAM (6/8GB) for smoother multitasking and performance.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for enhanced spatial audio, better audio separation and immersion
- More Storage Options: Option to choose between 128/256 GB of storage.
Motorola Moto G (2023) Advantages:
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 13, offering the latest features and security updates.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz display for slightly smoother scrolling and animations.
- Slightly Better Performance: Slightly higher AnTuTu benchmark score, potentially offering smoother app loading and operation.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for prolonged use.
- eSIM Support: Allows for more flexible carrier options.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint: More convenient placement and faster unlock experience.
- More up to date Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.1 LE has more up to date features and is likely more power efficient.
- RAW Capture: Allows greater flexibility in photo editing.
- 2 microphones: Better audio quality while recording sound.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung sacrifices a bit of performance and portability for a premium display and camera experience.
- Motorola compromises on display quality and camera versatility for better performance and a more convenient fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A72 Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers: People who watch a lot of videos, browse photos, or play graphic-intensive games, where the AMOLED screen makes a difference.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want versatile camera capabilities with different lens options and higher video quality.
- Heavy Multitaskers: Users who require more RAM for running multiple apps smoothly.
- Travelers: People who need a phone that can capture high quality photos and video and have a bright screen for viewing media outdoors.
Use Cases:
- Enjoying movies and videos on a vibrant screen.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos on vacation.
- Playing demanding mobile games with detailed graphics.
- Using multiple apps simultaneously without lag.
Motorola Moto G (2023) Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users looking for good value in terms of performance with a more budget-friendly price point.
- Everyday Users: People who prioritize smoother operation and a more up-to-date OS.
- Users who prefer comfort: People who prefer a phone that's slightly lighter.
- Users who prefer convenience: People who prefer side mounted fingerprint reader and eSIM capabilities.
Use Cases:
- Daily web browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Running everyday apps smoothly.
- Taking casual photos and videos.
- Using a more up-to-date operating system.
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung Galaxy A72 is likely to be more expensive due to the premium features it offers in terms of display and camera
- The Motorola Moto G (2023) targets a more affordable price point, offering good value for its performance and practical features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? (Do you watch a lot of videos, or need a bright screen for outdoor use?)
- How important are camera versatility and quality to you? (Do you need different lenses and higher video resolution?)
- What are your performance priorities? (Do you prefer smoother performance, or is a good balance sufficient?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You want the best possible display and camera for media consumption and photography and are willing to sacrifice a bit of performance and portability. Recommendation: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A72.
- Scenario 2: You prioritize smooth daily performance, want a more up to date operating system, and prefer a more convenient side mounted fingerprint sensor. Recommendation: Choose the Motorola Moto G (2023).
- Scenario 3: You want the best balance of display, camera, and performance, but are on a budget. Recommendation: Carefully assess the current prices and your priorities as both phones may be good options, but the Samsung will likely win based on overall better feature quality.
Personal Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A72. Although the Motorola Moto G (2023) offers a more up-to-date operating system and slightly better benchmark performance, the Samsung Galaxy A72 excels in key areas that are important to me. The AMOLED display with its higher resolution and brightness would significantly enhance my media consumption and overall user experience. I also value the versatile camera system with telephoto, wide-angle, and macro lenses along with the higher quality video recording, making it a much better option for content creation. While the Motorola has a more convenient fingerprint sensor, the superior display and camera of the Samsung are more important for my needs. Despite its age, the feature quality will likely still outperform the Motorola in my use case. Additionally, the faster charging is a practical convenience, while the better audio is a bonus.
