1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 × 77.2 × 8.1 mm | 161.4 × 73.8 × 8.3 mm | Note20 Ultra is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. G73 is slightly thicker but more compact overall. |
| Weight | 208g | 181g | Moto G73 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for longer periods. |
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (Screen) | Unknown (Screen) | Note20 Ultra provides superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.9" | 6.5" | Note20 Ultra offers a more immersive viewing experience, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440x3088 | 1080x2400 | Note20 Ultra has a significantly sharper and more detailed display. |
| PPI | 496 | 405 | Images and text appear crisper on the Note20 Ultra. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | Note20 Ultra has deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colours, and better power efficiency with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | Note20 Ultra offers significantly better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. The Motorola Moto G73 brightness specification is missing. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 990 (7 nm+) | Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm) | Note20 Ultra's chipset offers slightly faster app loading and smoother operation based on AnTuTu scores. |
| AnTuTu Score | 666,551 | 497,466 | Note20 Ultra performs better in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MP11 | IMG BXM-8-256 | Note20 Ultra's GPU may handle graphics-intensive tasks slightly better. |
| RAM | 8 GB or 12 GB | 8 GB | Note20 Ultra (12GB variant) handles multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly, less likely to experience slowdowns. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Note20 Ultra captures more detailed images with better dynamic range and low-light performance. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Note20 Ultra captures wider and more detailed scenes. |
| Telephoto Lens | 13MP, f/3.0 | None | Note20 Ultra offers optical zoom capabilities for distant subjects. |
| Selfie Camera | 10MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 | Moto G73 captures more detailed selfies. The Note20 Ultra has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@60fps | Note20 Ultra records professional-grade video with higher resolution and more features like HDR, OIS, EIS, and stereo sound. |
| TOF 3D Sensor | Yes | No | Improved depth sensing for portrait mode and AR applications on the Note20 Ultra. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G73 potentially offers longer battery life on a single charge. |
| Charging | 45W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Note20 Ultra charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (Fast Qi/PMA) | No | Note20 Ultra offers convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | Moto G73 ships with a newer Android version. Note20 Ultra has been updated to Android 13. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution AMOLED display with better brightness and colour accuracy, ideal for media consumption.
- Higher Performance: More powerful chipset and GPU for smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Versatile camera system with a higher resolution main sensor, telephoto lens, and 8K video recording.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: Faster wired and wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging.
- Premium Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for superior screen protection.
- S Pen Support: Offers unique productivity and creative input options.
- eSIM Support: Greater flexibility in managing cellular plans.
Practical Implications: The Note20 Ultra 5G provides a significantly better overall user experience for demanding users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
Motorola Moto G73 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.
- Longer Battery Life (Potentially): Larger battery capacity may result in better endurance.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.3 offers improved efficiency and potentially better audio performance.
- More Advanced GPS: Supports more satellite systems for improved location accuracy.
- More Recent Android OS: Ships with a newer version of Android.
- Better Value: Likely available at a lower price point.
Practical Implications: The Moto G73 is a more practical choice for users who prioritize portability, battery life, and a cleaner Android experience at a more affordable price.
Trade-offs:
- Choosing the Note20 Ultra 5G means sacrificing some portability and battery life for a significantly better display, camera, and performance.
- Choosing the Moto G73 means accepting a lower-resolution display, less powerful processor, and less versatile camera for better portability, potentially longer battery life, and a lower price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G:
- Ideal Users: Power users, photographers, videographers, mobile gamers, and anyone who values a premium display and top-tier performance.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Professional-quality mobile photography and videography.
- Demanding mobile gaming and resource-intensive applications.
- Immersive media consumption (movies, TV shows, etc.).
- Productivity tasks with the S Pen.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: High, especially if purchased used, given its original flagship status. Still offers excellent value for its capabilities.
Motorola Moto G73:
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious consumers, students, and anyone who prioritizes portability, battery life, and a clean Android experience.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and communication.
- Long-lasting battery for all-day use.
- GPS navigation.
- Comfortable one-handed use.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: Excellent, offering a good balance of features and performance for its price point.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for buyers to consider:
- What is your budget? The price difference between these two phones will be a major factor.
- How important are display quality and camera capabilities to you? If these are high priorities, the Note20 Ultra is the clear winner.
- Do you prioritize portability and battery life, or performance and features? The Moto G73 is more portable and has a potentially longer battery life, while the Note20 Ultra offers significantly better performance and features.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Photographer/Videographer: Choose the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G for its advanced camera system, 8K video recording, and versatile lens options.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Student: Choose the Motorola Moto G73 for its affordability, portability, and long-lasting battery.
- Scenario 3: Power User who needs a big screen and good performance on a midrange budget: Choose the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G for its larger display, higher performance, and premium features.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G. Despite being an older phone, the significantly better display quality (AMOLED, higher resolution, higher brightness), superior camera system with telephoto lens and 8K video, and overall faster performance make it a more compelling option for my usage. I heavily rely on my phone for media consumption, photography, and occasional gaming, and the Note20 Ultra 5G simply offers a more premium and capable experience in these areas. While the Motorola Moto G73 has the advantage of being newer and likely having better battery life, the trade-offs in display and camera are too significant for my personal preferences.
