Oppo Reno8 Z vs Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: A Detailed Performance and Value Comparison

The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Oppo Reno8 Z and Samsung Galaxy A73 5G both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches, with Oppo prioritizing a sleek design and fast charging, while Samsung focuses on a more robust chipset and a larger display. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing overall performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Reno8 Z’s Snapdragon 695, making it more capable for demanding tasks and gaming. However, the Reno8 Z’s faster charging is a significant advantage for those on the go.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno8 Z Samsung Galaxy A73 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 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
Announced2022, August 042022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, August 04Available. Released 2022, April 22
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, glass back-
Dimensions159.9 x 73.2 x 7.7 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 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
Weight181 g (6.38 oz)181 g (6.38 oz)
 RGB ring lights around the cameras (notifications, charging progress)IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionSchott Xensation UpCorning 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 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 12, ColorOS 12.1Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED 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, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps, 720p@30/120fps, EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm32 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, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD, 31% in 15 min, 100% in 63 min Reverse wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarlight Black, Dawnlight GoldGray, Mint, White
Models-SM-A736B, SM-A736B/DS
PriceAbout 350 EURAbout 600 EUR
SAR-1.14 W/kg (head)
SAR EU-1.28 W/kg (head)     1.42 W/kg (body)

Oppo Reno8 Z

  • Significantly faster 33W charging
  • Potentially lighter and more compact design
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset
  • Likely inferior GPU performance for gaming
  • Potentially lower display brightness

Samsung Galaxy A73 5G

  • More powerful Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset
  • Superior GPU performance for gaming
  • Likely better display quality (Super AMOLED)

  • Slower 25W charging
  • Potentially larger and heavier design
  • Samsung’s One UI can be resource intensive

Display Comparison

While both phones feature 6.4-inch displays, detailed display specs are missing. However, given Samsung’s history, the A73 likely boasts a Super AMOLED panel with vibrant colors and excellent contrast, potentially with a higher peak brightness than the Reno8 Z. The A73’s larger size may also offer a more immersive viewing experience. The Reno8 Z, focusing on a slimmer profile, might compromise slightly on display size or brightness. Bezels are likely comparable, given both phones target a similar price bracket.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but we can infer some differences. Samsung typically prioritizes image processing and dynamic range, while Oppo often leans towards more vibrant, social media-ready images. The A73 likely features a larger main sensor, potentially with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), offering better low-light performance and sharper images. The Reno8 Z may compensate with software enhancements, but the hardware advantage of a larger sensor on the A73 is significant. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential; image quality from these sensors is typically poor.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a significant step up from the Oppo Reno8 Z’s Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). The 778G features a more powerful Cortex-A78 prime core clocked at 2.4 GHz, compared to the Reno8 Z’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores. This translates to approximately 20-30% faster CPU performance in benchmarks. The 778G’s Adreno 642L GPU also provides a substantial graphics boost, making it better suited for demanding games. While both use 6nm fabrication, the architectural improvements in the 778G yield superior performance and efficiency. The A73’s likely use of faster LPDDR5 RAM further enhances its multitasking capabilities.

Battery Life

The Oppo Reno8 Z’s 33W wired charging is a clear advantage, achieving 31% charge in 15 minutes and 100% in 63 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s 25W charging is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Reno8 Z mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. Users who prioritize quick top-ups will strongly favor the Reno8 Z. The A73’s larger size might allow for a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer overall battery life, but the charging speed difference is substantial.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno8 Z if you need exceptionally fast charging and a lighter, more compact device. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day and value portability. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G if you prefer a more powerful processor for gaming and multitasking, a larger display for media consumption, and a more established brand ecosystem. It’s the better option for users who want a phone that will remain capable for longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Galaxy A73 5G get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 778G is known for its efficiency. While it will generate heat during prolonged gaming, Samsung’s thermal management system in the A73 5G is generally effective at preventing significant throttling. Expect some warmth, but not to the point of severely impacting performance. The 6nm process node contributes to better thermal efficiency compared to older chipsets.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Oppo Reno8 Z truly a game-changer, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
33W charging is a substantial improvement over the A73’s 25W. The Reno8 Z can gain a significant charge in a short amount of time – 31% in 15 minutes – making it ideal for users who need to quickly top up their battery. This is particularly useful for those with busy lifestyles who don't have time to wait for hours for a full charge.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Oppo's ColorOS and Samsung's One UI?
ColorOS is generally considered to be lighter and more customizable than Samsung's One UI. One UI offers a wider range of features and integrations with Samsung's ecosystem, but can sometimes feel bloated. Both interfaces are based on Android, but offer distinct visual styles and user experiences. Preference is subjective, but ColorOS is often favored by users who prefer a cleaner, less cluttered interface.