The Oppo A73 and Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they take different approaches to performance and battery life. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Oppo A73 emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset provides a noticeably smoother experience than the Exynos 9611, and the significantly faster 30W charging is a game-changer. While the M31 Prime’s larger battery is appealing, the A73’s efficiency and charging speed outweigh this advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 05. Released 2020, November 20 | 2020, October 14. Released 2020, October 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.8 x 72.9 x 7.5 mm (6.29 x 2.87 x 0.30 in) | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 163 g (5.75 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 10, One UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes |
| | UFS 2.1 (single lane) | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | - | Downloadable |
| Java | - | Yes |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 53 min | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 150 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 1 h 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4015 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Navy Blue, Classic Silver | Ocean Blue, Space Black, Iceberg Blue |
| Models | CPH2099 | SM-M315F/DS |
| Price | - | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.38 W/kg (head) |
Oppo A73
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 662 processor
- Significantly faster 30W charging
- Likely smoother user experience
- Potentially smaller battery capacity
- Camera performance may not match flagship devices
Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime
- Larger battery capacity for extended usage
- Samsung’s established brand reputation
- Potentially lower price point
- Slower Exynos 9611 processor
- Significantly slower 15W charging
- Potential for thermal throttling under load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on cutting-edge tech, but usability. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, the M31 Prime’s larger screen size (typically 6.5 inches vs the A73’s 6.5 inches) may appeal to media consumers. However, without knowing the nits, it's difficult to assess outdoor visibility. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the budget nature of both phones.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is challenging. However, both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and depth sensor. The A73’s image processing, typical of Oppo, likely prioritizes vibrant colors and social media-ready images. Samsung’s processing tends towards more natural tones. The absence of optical image stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests image quality will suffer in low-light conditions. The usefulness of any 2MP macro lenses included on either phone is questionable, offering limited detail and often poor image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A73’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) offers a clear advantage over the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime’s Exynos 9611 (10nm). The Snapdragon 662’s newer Kryo 260 cores, with a 2.0 GHz clock speed for the performance cores, provide a more efficient and responsive experience. The Exynos 9611, while featuring a higher peak clock speed of 2.3 GHz on its Cortex-A73 cores, is built on a slightly older process and generally lags behind the Snapdragon 662 in real-world performance and GPU capabilities. This translates to smoother multitasking and better gaming performance on the A73. The A73's 11nm process also suggests better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained loads.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime likely has a larger battery capacity (typically 6000mAh) than the Oppo A73 (typically 4000mAh). However, battery life isn’t solely determined by capacity. The Snapdragon 662’s efficiency in the A73 helps mitigate the capacity difference. Crucially, the A73’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving 50% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 53 minutes. The M31 Prime’s 15W charging is considerably slower, requiring significantly longer to fully recharge, impacting usability for power users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A73 if you prioritize a responsive user experience, quick app loading times, and fast charging. It’s ideal for social media users, casual gamers, and anyone who values convenience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime if maximizing battery life is your absolute top priority, and you’re willing to trade off some performance and charging speed for extended usage between charges. It suits users who heavily rely on their phone throughout the day and have limited access to power outlets.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Samsung M31 Prime tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load, particularly during graphically intensive gaming. While it won't necessarily shut down, you may experience frame rate drops and reduced performance after extended play. The Oppo A73’s Snapdragon 662, built on a more efficient 11nm process, is less prone to overheating.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the Oppo A73 compared to the 15W charging on the Samsung M31 Prime in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Oppo A73 can reach 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes and 100% in around 53 minutes. The Samsung M31 Prime’s 15W charging will likely take over two hours to fully charge from a low battery level. This makes the A73 significantly more convenient for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 662 and Exynos 9611 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Snapdragon 662 offers a smoother and more responsive experience for everyday tasks. Apps launch faster, multitasking is more fluid, and scrolling is less likely to exhibit lag. While the Exynos 9611 is capable, the Snapdragon 662 provides a more refined user experience.
