1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 161.5 × 75.6 × 7.8 mm | 161.4 × 73.8 × 8.3 mm | Similar height, S21+ is slightly wider and thinner, G73 is narrower and thicker. S21+ might feel slightly larger in hand, G73 slightly more compact. |
| Weight | 200g | 181g | G73 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and pocketability. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus (screen) | Unknown (screen) | S21+ has superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus which adds to durability and scratch resistance. G73 screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.5" | S21+ offers a slightly larger display, providing a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both offer the same level of detail and sharpness. |
| PPI | 394 | 405 | Very similar pixel density, so sharpness will be almost identical. |
| Technology | AMOLED | IPS LCD | S21+ has superior display technology with deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. It also provides better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth, fluid user experience with 120Hz refresh rate, beneficial for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 0 nits | S21+ has significantly higher brightness, making it much better for outdoor visibility in sunlight. G73's brightness is unknown, which may be a limitation. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 930 (6 nm) | S21+ has a more powerful chipset, resulting in faster app loading, better multitasking, and superior gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 497,466 | S21+ significantly outperforms G73 in benchmarks, suggesting a smoother, faster experience overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | IMG BXM-8-256 | S21+ has a more powerful GPU, offering better graphics performance, beneficial for gaming and graphically intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | G73 has a higher megapixel count, which could result in more detailed images in good lighting conditions but is not a definite indicator of image quality. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.8 | Both have identical aperture for the standard camera, leading to comparable performance in low light. |
| Standard Camera Sensor | Sony IMX555 | Unknown | S21+ has a known sensor model, which aids in evaluating image quality. G73's sensor is unknown. |
| Standard Camera Pixel Size | 1.80 µm | 1.00 µm | S21+ has larger pixels, potentially capturing more light and leading to better low-light performance in the standard camera. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 64MP | None | S21+ offers dedicated telephoto zoom capabilities, allowing for optical zoom and improved portrait photography. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 10MP | 16MP | G73 has higher selfie resolution for sharper details, but that does not mean superior image quality. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | S21+ has a wider aperture, which is better for low light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP | G73 offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Camera | 12.2MP | None | S21+ offers a dedicated wide angle + macro camera for closeup shots and wide shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 1080p@60fps | S21+ offers significantly higher video resolution, providing more flexibility and quality for video enthusiasts and content creators. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical Zoom, RAW, PDAF, etc. | Ultra Stable Video, Front Flash, etc. | S21+ offers more advanced camera features like OIS, Optical Zoom and RAW support for professional-grade photography. G73 is better for video stability and has a front flash. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Motorola Moto G73 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | G73 has a slightly larger battery, potentially resulting in slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | G73 offers slightly faster charging speeds, allowing for quicker battery top-ups. |
| Features | Wireless Charging, Reverse Wireless Charging | None | S21+ offers additional charging options and the capability to charge other devices wirelessly. G73 has non-removable battery, like S21+ . |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology provides better image quality, higher brightness, and better outdoor visibility.
- Significantly Higher Performance: More powerful chipset and GPU, resulting in faster speeds and smoother gaming.
- Better Camera System: Offers a versatile triple camera setup, including telephoto and wide-angle+macro lens with features like optical zoom, 8K video, OIS and RAW capture for a more professional photography experience.
- Advanced Charging Features: Supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for convenient power management.
- Additional Sensors: Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic add to advanced features and better gaming.
- Better Build: Gorilla Glass Victus provides better screen protection.
Motorola Moto G73 Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched nearly two years later, with potentially longer software support.
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry around due to its lower weight and thinner profile.
- Slightly Larger Battery: May offer marginally better battery life due to its slightly larger battery.
- Faster Charging: Supports slightly faster charging speeds.
- Wide Angle Lens: Offers more versatility for landscape photography.
- Front Flash: Better for low light selfies.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.3 offers better connection.
- More GPS Systems: More satellite systems results in better location accuracy.
Trade-offs:
- S21+: Trade-offs are higher weight, bigger size and older operating system.
- Moto G73: Trade-offs are lower processing power, inferior display technology and lack of advanced camera features like optical zoom.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
- Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize high-performance and gaming.
- Those who desire a superior display for media consumption.
- Photography enthusiasts who want a versatile camera system with advanced features.
- Users looking for wireless charging and premium build quality.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming.
- Watching high-definition videos and movies.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Using resource-intensive applications.
- Outdoor usage in bright sunlight.
Motorola Moto G73
- Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users who want a reliable, newer phone.
- Users who prefer a lightweight, more portable device.
- Those who value a long battery life and fast charging.
- Casual photographers who use wide angle lens frequently.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday use, browsing, social media.
- Casual photography with wide angle usage.
- Users who need extended battery life on the go.
- Users who prefer a modern phone without the premium price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? (AMOLED vs. IPS LCD)
- Is top performance crucial, or is a reliable, daily driver sufficient? (Chipset, GPU)
- How much importance do you put on camera features and quality? (Optical zoom, 8K video, stabilization)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Users Seeking the Best Possible Experience (Performance, Camera, Display): The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G is the clear winner. It offers a superior display, significantly better performance, and a more versatile camera system, despite its older age and slightly larger size.
- For Users Prioritizing Battery, Affordability and Portability: The Motorola Moto G73 is the better choice. It provides a slightly lighter design, a larger battery, and a newer OS for a more budget-friendly price. It may lack the punch in performance, but it suffices for daily tasks and provides essential features.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. While the Motorola Moto G73 is a newer phone with a few advantages such as a larger battery and a wide angle lens, the S21+ offers a far superior overall experience in areas that are more important to me.
Here's why:
- Display Quality: The AMOLED screen on the S21+ is a significant advantage, providing much better image quality, especially for watching videos and viewing photos. The higher brightness is also crucial for me as I use my phone outdoors frequently.
- Performance: I need a phone that can handle demanding tasks and games smoothly. The Exynos 2100 in the S21+ has a large performance advantage in that area.
- Camera Versatility: I prefer a camera system that offers more flexibility, such as optical zoom, 8k video recording and a wide angle + macro camera which the S21+ provides.
- Build quality: The superior protection offered by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus is important to me since I tend to be quite clumsy with my phones.
While the newer Android version and slightly better battery life of the G73 are tempting, the superior display, performance, and camera capabilities of the S21+ are more important to my use case, making it the better choice for me.
