The Karbonn A34 represents the ultra-budget smartphone segment, while the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G aims for the mid-range with 5G connectivity. This comparison isn't about head-to-head specs; it's about understanding where each phone excels and who benefits most from its strengths, given the significant price disparity.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smooth, future-proof experience with 5G and a capable camera, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is the clear winner. However, the Karbonn A34 offers a functional smartphone experience for those on the absolute tightest of budgets, where basic connectivity is the primary need.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013. Released 2013 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, April 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 197 x 124 x 12.3 mm (7.76 x 4.88 x 0.48 in) | 163.7 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 335 g (11.82 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~133 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 139.5 cm2 (~57.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6515 | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX531 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 2 MP | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | Yes | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | - | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | Proprietary | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 25W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 240 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray/White | Gray, Mint, White |
| Models | - | SM-A736B, SM-A736B/DS |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 600 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.14 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.28 W/kg (head) 1.42 W/kg (body) |
Karbonn A34
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Lightweight and portable
- Outdated processor and limited performance
- Likely poor camera quality
- Limited software support and updates
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G
- Fast and efficient Snapdragon 778G 5G processor
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- More versatile camera system with OIS
- Higher price point
- May not compete with flagship camera performance
- Software updates may be limited compared to Google Pixel
Display Comparison
While display specifications for the Karbonn A34 are unavailable, it's safe to assume a basic LCD panel with a resolution around 720p. The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G boasts a superior display experience, though specifics like peak brightness are missing. The A73's panel benefits from Samsung's color science, offering more accurate and vibrant visuals. The A73's larger screen size and higher resolution will be noticeable for media consumption and gaming, a benefit for users who frequently watch videos or play mobile games.
Camera Comparison
Camera details for the Karbonn A34 are scarce, but it likely features a basic camera setup suitable for casual snapshots. The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, while not a flagship camera phone, offers a more sophisticated camera system. While the exact sensor sizes are unknown, the A73 likely includes Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on its main sensor, resulting in sharper images and smoother videos, particularly in low-light conditions. The A73's image processing algorithms will also deliver more refined and consistent results, appealing to users who value photography.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The Karbonn A34's Mediatek MT6515, with its 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU, is a dated chipset designed for basic tasks. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G's Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a modern, octa-core processor built on a more efficient 6nm process. The Snapdragon 778G's Cortex-A78 cores provide a significant performance boost for demanding applications and multitasking. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing throttling during extended use, benefiting gamers and power users. The A73's superior GPU will deliver a far smoother gaming experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity for the Karbonn A34 is unknown, but given its budget nature, it's likely a smaller capacity. The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G supports 25W wired charging, allowing for a relatively quick recharge. While the A73's battery capacity is also unknown, the Snapdragon 778G's 6nm efficiency will contribute to better battery life compared to the A34's older chipset. The faster charging speed on the A73 is a significant convenience for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Karbonn A34 if you need a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing, and your budget is under $100. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G if you prioritize 5G connectivity, a significantly faster processor for gaming and multitasking, a more versatile camera system, and a more refined software experience, and are willing to spend upwards of $300.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 778G in the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G capable of handling demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G is a capable mid-range processor that can handle Genshin Impact, though you may need to adjust graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect playable performance at medium settings, and the 6nm process should help mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much storage does the Karbonn A34 typically offer, and is it expandable via microSD card?
Storage capacity for the Karbonn A34 is likely limited to 16GB or 32GB. It's highly probable that it includes a microSD card slot for storage expansion, which is essential given the limited internal storage. However, read/write speeds on the microSD card will be significantly slower than internal storage.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G support VoLTE and VoWiFi for improved call quality?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G supports both VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi), ensuring clear call quality even in areas with weak cellular signals, provided your carrier supports these technologies.
