1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.8 × 74.5 × 8.4 mm | 161.4 × 73.8 × 8.3 mm | Minor size differences; Moto G73 slightly taller and narrower, potentially impacting grip. |
| Weight | 190g | 181g | S20 FE 5G slightly heavier, may be noticeable during extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | S20 FE 5G has known scratch resistance. Protection of Moto G73 is unclear. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Identical screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Identical sharpness. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S20 FE 5G: richer colors, better contrast, true blacks, more efficient for dark mode. Moto G73: potentially more color accurate, better viewing angles in some cases (though unlikely). |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | S20 FE 5G much better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and gaming. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) | Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm) | S20 FE 5G offers more processing power, better gaming performance, and snappier multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 623,000 | 497,466 | S20 FE 5G faster app loading and overall responsiveness. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | IMG BXM-8-256 | S20 FE 5G superior graphics performance for demanding games and applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.0µm | Moto G73 captures more detail in good lighting, but smaller pixel size may impact low-light performance. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | S20 FE 5G captures more detail in ultrawide shots. |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.0µm | None | S20 FE 5G offers optical zoom for distant subjects. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm | S20 FE 5G sharper selfies, better low-light performance due to wider aperture. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS | Up to 1080p@60fps | S20 FE 5G records higher resolution videos with better stabilization. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical Zoom | Ultra Stable Video, Front Flash | S20 FE 5G: better for stable photos/videos, zooming. Moto G73: better stabilized action shots, front flash for selfies. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G73 longer battery life, especially for moderate usage. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Moto G73 charges slightly faster. |
| Additional Battery Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging | None | S20 FE 5G can be charged wirelessly and can wirelessly charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS (at launch) | Android 10 (upgradable to 13) | Android 13 | Moto G73: more up-to-date software out of the box. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Moto G73: slightly more energy efficient and potentially faster Bluetooth connection. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), NavIC System | Moto G73: More accurate location tracking due to more satellite support. |
| Storage | |||
| RAM | 6/8 GB | 8 GB | Moto G73: ensures smooth multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone can add external storage |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-Mounted | Moto G73: more convenient and ergonomic fingerprint reader placement |
| Other | |||
| Audio | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos, 2 Microphones | Motorola Moto G73: enhanced spatial audio, better audio separation and immersion, improved voice capture |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher brightness provides a much better viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- More Powerful Performance: Snapdragon 865 offers significantly better processing and graphics performance.
- Better Camera System: Telephoto lens, optical image stabilization (OIS), and 4K@60fps video recording provide more versatility and higher quality results.
- Wireless Charging: Convenient wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers better scratch resistance.
Practical Implications: The S20 FE 5G is ideal for users who prioritize display quality, gaming performance, camera versatility, and convenience features like wireless charging.
Motorola Moto G73 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers longer battery life for all-day use.
- More Up-to-date Software: Ships with Android 13.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging provides slightly faster charging speeds.
- More Accurate GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Better Bluetooth: newer Bluetooth version 5.3
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Potentially more ergonomic and convenient fingerprint reader.
Practical Implications: The Moto G73 is a good choice for users who value battery life, the latest Android version, and accurate location tracking.
Trade-offs:
- The S20 FE 5G's older chipset may eventually lose software support sooner than the Moto G73.
- The Moto G73's camera system, while high-resolution, lacks the versatility of the S20 FE 5G's telephoto lens and OIS.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G:
- Ideal User: Mobile gamers, social media enthusiasts, content creators, and anyone who values a premium display and camera experience.
- Use Cases:
- Playing graphics-intensive games.
- Watching videos and movies in high quality.
- Taking photos and videos in various scenarios (low light, zoomed-in shots).
- Using wireless charging for convenience.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent, given its flagship-level performance and features at a mid-range price point (assuming availability and condition).
Motorola Moto G73:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life, a clean software experience, and reliable performance for everyday tasks.
- Use Cases:
- All-day use without needing to charge.
- Navigation and location-based services.
- General productivity tasks like email, browsing, and social media.
- Price-to-Value: Very good, offering a balanced set of features at a competitive price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? If you watch a lot of videos or play games, the S20 FE 5G's AMOLED screen is a significant advantage.
- How important is battery life? The Moto G73 offers noticeably longer battery life.
- What is your budget? The Moto G73 is typically more affordable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You are a student on a budget who needs a reliable phone for note-taking, browsing, and occasional gaming.
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G73. It offers good performance, long battery life, and a clean software experience at a reasonable price.
- Scenario 2: You are a social media influencer who needs a phone with a great camera and display for creating content.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G. Its versatile camera system and vibrant AMOLED display make it ideal for content creation.
- Scenario 3: You are a mobile gamer who wants the best possible gaming experience on a mid-range phone.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G. The Snapdragon 865 and Adreno 650 provide superior gaming performance.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G. While the Motorola Moto G73 has a larger battery and a newer operating system, the S20 FE 5G's superior display quality (AMOLED with 1200 nits brightness), more powerful Snapdragon 865 processor, and more versatile camera system (with telephoto lens and OIS) are more important to me. I value the overall user experience, and the S20 FE 5G offers a more premium and enjoyable experience for my typical use cases, which include watching videos, playing games, and taking photos in various lighting conditions. The wireless charging capability is also a nice bonus. Despite being an older phone, the S20 FE 5G still holds up well in terms of performance and features, and its better screen protection provides peace of mind.
