Moto G100S vs. Samsung Galaxy A72: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Contenders

The Motorola Moto G100S and Samsung Galaxy A72 represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The G100S, with its newer Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chipset, aims for efficiency and modern architecture, while the A72 relies on the established Snapdragon 720G and a focus on display quality and overall refinement. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Motorola Moto G100S emerges as the stronger choice. Its newer 4nm Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 offers a performance advantage and improved efficiency over the Galaxy A72’s 8nm Snapdragon 720G, despite the A72’s brighter display. The G100S delivers a more future-proof experience at a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G100S Samsung Galaxy A72
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bandsSA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, November 032021, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, November 03Available. Released 2021, March 26
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, silicone polymer (eco leather) backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions166.2 x 76.5 x 8.6 mm (6.54 x 3.01 x 0.34 in)165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.05 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight210 g (7.41 oz)203 g (7.16 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 1050 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6435-AA Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm)
GPUAdrenoAdreno 618
OSAndroid 15Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9 (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging30W wired25W wired
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 7000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue
Models-SM-A725F, SM-A725F/DS, SM-A725M, SM-A725M/DS
PriceAbout 120 EUR£ 174.89 / € 359.99
SAR EU-0.23 W/kg (head)     1.17 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 117h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.4 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 279342 (v8) GeekBench: 6483 (v4.4), 1627 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola Moto G100S

  • More efficient 4nm Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 chipset
  • Faster 30W wired charging
  • Potentially better long-term performance due to newer architecture

  • Display specifications are unknown
  • Camera performance is unproven

Samsung Galaxy A72

  • Brighter 825 nit display for outdoor visibility
  • Established Samsung software ecosystem
  • Potentially refined camera image processing

  • Less efficient 8nm Snapdragon 720G chipset
  • Slower 25W wired charging
  • Older chipset may limit future software support

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A72 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 825 nits, making it more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While the Moto G100S’s display specs are not provided, the A72’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical AMOLED panel. The A72’s brightness advantage is a key differentiator for media consumption and outdoor visibility. However, without knowing the G100S’s panel technology or refresh rate, a complete assessment is difficult; the A72’s display is a clear win based on available data.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature ‘Photo / Video’ capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the A72’s brand reputation suggests potentially more refined image processing algorithms. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A72 is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, and should be considered a marketing feature rather than a substantial benefit. The G100S’s camera performance will heavily rely on its image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4.

Performance

The Motorola Moto G100S’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 (4nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Samsung Galaxy A72’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm). The 4nm process node inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal characteristics, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. The G100S’s CPU configuration – 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 – provides a performance edge over the A72’s 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver. While both are octa-core designs, the Cortex-A78 cores in the G100S are more powerful. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance for the G100S.

Battery Life

Both the Motorola Moto G100S and Samsung Galaxy A72 share an endurance rating of 117 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the G100S’s 30W wired charging is faster than the A72’s 25W charging. This means the G100S can replenish its battery more quickly, reducing downtime. The efficiency gains from the 4nm Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 may also contribute to slightly better real-world battery performance, despite the identical endurance rating.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G100S if you prioritize processing power for multitasking, gaming, and future software updates. Its modern chipset architecture will provide a smoother experience over time. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A72 if a vibrant, bright display is paramount, and you value Samsung’s established software ecosystem and potentially better camera image processing, even if it comes at a performance cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 in the Moto G100S handle demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 6s Gen 4’s Cortex-A78 cores and modern architecture should provide a playable experience in PUBG and Genshin Impact, though likely at medium settings. The 4nm process will help mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, offering a more consistent frame rate compared to the Snapdragon 720G.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A72’s camera perform well in low-light conditions?
While the Galaxy A72’s camera specifications are unknown, Samsung typically employs strong image processing algorithms. However, without knowing the sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to assess low-light performance definitively. Expect decent results, but potentially with more noise than flagship devices.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone from 0%?
The Motorola Moto G100S, with its 30W charging, should fully charge in approximately 60-75 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A72’s 25W charging will likely take closer to 80-90 minutes for a complete 0-100% charge.