Oppo K9 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Which Mid-Range 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Oppo K9 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A73 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. The K9 Pro prioritizes raw performance and charging speed, while the A73 5G aims for a more balanced experience with Samsung’s software and ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and rapid charging, the Oppo K9 Pro is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 1200 chipset delivers a noticeable performance advantage over the Snapdragon 778G in the A73 5G, and the 60W charging is significantly faster than Samsung’s 25W offering. However, Samsung’s software and brand recognition remain strong considerations.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo K9 Pro Samsung Galaxy A73 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2021, September 262022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 20Available. Released 2022, April 22
Body
Dimensions158.7 x 73.5 x 8.5 mm (6.25 x 2.89 x 0.33 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 + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)181 g (6.38 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 430 nits (typ), 800 nits (peak)Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 11, ColorOS 11.3Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging60W wired, 50% in 16 min25W wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, AuroraGray, Mint, White
ModelsPEYM00SM-A736B, SM-A736B/DS
PriceAbout 360 EURAbout 600 EUR
SAR-1.14 W/kg (head)
SAR EU-1.28 W/kg (head)     1.42 W/kg (body)

Oppo K9 Pro

  • Significantly faster 60W charging
  • More powerful Dimensity 1200 chipset
  • Superior multi-core performance for demanding tasks

  • Software experience may not be as refined as Samsung’s
  • Brand recognition is lower than Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A73 5G

  • Polished Samsung One UI software experience
  • Strong brand recognition and ecosystem
  • Potentially better display color accuracy

  • Slower 25W charging
  • Less powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset
  • Lower multi-core performance

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a top-tier display, but both utilize 6nm chipsets which help with thermal management during extended use. While specific display specs (resolution, refresh rate, peak brightness) aren't provided, the A73 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s display expertise, potentially offering slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles. However, the K9 Pro’s focus on performance suggests a display tuned for responsiveness, which could be advantageous for gaming. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate scaling isn't present, impacting battery life during dynamic content.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the market positioning suggests the A73 5G will likely emphasize Samsung’s image processing algorithms for vibrant, shareable photos. The K9 Pro, geared towards performance, may prioritize speed in image capture. Sensor size is crucial; a larger sensor generally captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance. The absence of information on sensor sizes makes it difficult to definitively declare a winner. We can assume both phones will include standard wide, ultrawide, and macro lenses, but the quality of these will vary significantly. The A73 5G may benefit from Samsung’s software optimizations for image stabilization.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Oppo K9 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) versus the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm). The Dimensity 1200’s CPU configuration – 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – provides a clear advantage in multi-core performance compared to the A73’s 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better performance in graphically intensive games. While both use 6nm fabrication, the Dimensity 1200’s more powerful cores give it an edge. The K9 Pro’s performance advantage will be most noticeable to gamers and power users.

Battery Life

The Oppo K9 Pro’s 60W wired charging is a game-changer, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 16 minutes. This drastically reduces downtime compared to the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s 25W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the K9 Pro effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. Users who frequently find themselves needing a quick top-up will overwhelmingly prefer the K9 Pro. The A73 5G’s slower charging means longer periods tethered to an outlet.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo K9 Pro if you need a phone for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or frequent multitasking, and value incredibly fast charging. You’ll benefit from the superior processing power and quicker top-ups. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G if you prefer a more polished software experience, a wider ecosystem of accessories, and a generally more refined user interface, even if it means sacrificing some raw performance and charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 1200 in the Oppo K9 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 1200 is a powerful chip, but both phones utilize a 6nm process, which aids in thermal efficiency. While some throttling is possible during extended, demanding gaming, the K9 Pro’s cooling system (details not provided) should manage temperatures adequately. The Snapdragon 778G in the A73 5G will likely run cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G slow compared to other phones in this price range?
Yes, 25W charging is relatively slow compared to the 60W charging on the Oppo K9 Pro and even some other competitors. Expect a full charge to take significantly longer, potentially exceeding 1.5 hours. This is a key disadvantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
❓ Does the Oppo K9 Pro support global LTE bands, or is it primarily designed for the Asian market?
The Oppo K9 Pro was initially released primarily for the Asian market. LTE band support should be verified before purchase if you intend to use it outside of Asia, as compatibility may be limited. Check GSMArena or similar resources for detailed band information.