Motorola One 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Which Mid-Range 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Motorola One 5G and Samsung Galaxy A73 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at accessible price points, they diverge significantly in their underlying hardware, particularly in their chipsets. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, delivers noticeably better performance and thermal management compared to the Motorola One 5G’s Snapdragon 765. While the Motorola offers a simpler experience, the A73’s advantages justify the potential price premium.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola One 5G Samsung Galaxy A73 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, September 01. Released 2020, September 142022, March 17
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, April 22
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions168 x 74 x 9 mm (6.61 x 2.91 x 0.35 in)163.7 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight207 g (7.30 oz)181 g (6.38 oz)
 Water-repellent coatingIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, HDR10Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.3 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 10Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, ring flash (macro camera), panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro), AF Auxiliary lens108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.0µm 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1.12µm-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging15W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsOxford BlueGray, Mint, White
Models-SM-A736B, SM-A736B/DS
PriceAbout 420 EURAbout 600 EUR
SAR-1.14 W/kg (head)
SAR EU-1.28 W/kg (head)     1.42 W/kg (body)

Motorola One 5G

  • Clean Android experience
  • Potentially lower price
  • 5G connectivity

  • Slower charging (15W)
  • Less powerful chipset
  • Potential for thermal throttling

Samsung Galaxy A73 5G

  • Faster Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset
  • Faster 25W charging
  • More efficient 6nm process

  • Samsung’s One UI software (preference-based)
  • Potentially higher price
  • May include bloatware

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness in nits) are unavailable, the focus here is on the processing power driving the visuals. Both likely utilize AMOLED panels, common in this segment. The A73’s more powerful GPU will translate to smoother animations and potentially better HDR rendering, even if the raw resolution is similar. Bezels are likely comparable, with Samsung generally offering slightly more polished designs.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, Samsung generally excels in image processing. The A73 likely benefits from more sophisticated algorithms and potentially larger sensor sizes, leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. While both phones likely include standard wide, ultrawide, and macro lenses, the A73’s image signal processor (ISP), tied to the more powerful chipset, will likely deliver superior results. The Motorola’s camera is likely adequate for casual use, but the A73 aims for a more refined photographic experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Motorola One 5G’s Snapdragon 765 (7nm). The 778G features a more modern CPU architecture – Cortex-A78 cores versus the Kryo 475 – offering superior single-core and multi-core performance. The 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, meaning less throttling during sustained loads like gaming. The A73’s CPU configuration (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) is demonstrably more capable than the Motorola’s (1x2.3 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver).

Battery Life

The Motorola One 5G’s 15W charging is a clear disadvantage compared to the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s 25W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-up times for the A73. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed mitigates any potential capacity difference. The Snapdragon 778G’s 6nm efficiency also contributes to better battery life under load, meaning the A73 will likely last longer during demanding tasks like gaming or video streaming.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola One 5G if you prioritize a clean Android experience and are on a very tight budget, accepting compromises in processing power. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G if you value smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and faster charging, and are willing to spend a bit more for a more refined overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 778G in the Galaxy A73 5G handle demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run most popular titles at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. The 6nm process also helps to minimize thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Motorola One 5G slow compared to other phones in this price range?
Yes, 15W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. It will take considerably longer to fully charge the Motorola One 5G compared to the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s 25W charging. Expect a significantly longer time to reach 100%.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s One UI software significantly impact performance?
Samsung’s One UI is a feature-rich interface, but it can consume more system resources than a stock Android experience like the Motorola One 5G offers. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s processing power is sufficient to handle One UI without significant performance degradation. The A73’s chipset is powerful enough to offset the software overhead.