The Samsung Galaxy A72 5G and Motorola Edge (2021) represent compelling options in the mid-range 5G smartphone market. The A72 5G, released earlier, has seen price drops, while the Edge (2021) offers a more recent chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Edge (2021) is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 778G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, delivers noticeably better performance and gaming capabilities than the Galaxy A72 5G’s Snapdragon 750G. While the A72 5G offers a potentially lower price, the Edge’s performance uplift justifies the cost for power users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2021, August 19 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, September 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.05 x 0.33 in) | 169 x 75.6 x 9 mm (6.65 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Unspecified | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | LCD, 144Hz, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 12, One UI 4.1 | Android 11, planned upgrade to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 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) | - |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120ps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| 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/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| | ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue | Nebula Blue |
| Models | SM-A726B, SM-A726B/DS | XT2141-1 |
| Price | About 550 EUR | About 90 EUR |
Samsung Galaxy A72 5G
- Potentially lower price point
- Familiar Samsung One UI
- May have larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Less powerful Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Slower 25W charging
- Less efficient 8nm process
Motorola Edge (2021)
- More powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset
- Faster 30W charging
- More efficient 6nm process
- Potentially higher price
- Motorola’s My UX software (preference-based)
- May have smaller battery capacity (unconfirmed)
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the core difference lies in the processing power driving them. The chipset impacts UI responsiveness and video decoding. The A72 5G’s Snapdragon 750G will handle standard display tasks adequately, but the Edge (2021)'s 778G offers headroom for more complex visual processing. Bezels and color accuracy are assumed to be comparable within the mid-range segment, but the 778G’s superior ISP could contribute to better image processing for display output.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, we can infer advantages based on the ISP capabilities of each chipset. The Snapdragon 778G’s ISP is more advanced, offering better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the Edge (2021) will likely produce superior image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The A72 5G may rely more heavily on software processing to compensate for a potentially less capable sensor, which can sometimes result in over-sharpening or artificial-looking images. The Edge’s ISP will also benefit video recording, offering better stabilization and detail.
Performance
The Motorola Edge (2021) holds a significant advantage in performance. Its Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) is a clear upgrade over the Galaxy A72 5G’s Snapdragon 750G (8nm). The 778G features a more powerful CPU configuration – a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core versus the A72’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores – and a more efficient manufacturing process. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Edge’s Adreno 642L GPU is also a step up from the A72’s Adreno 619.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A72 5G supports 25W wired charging, while the Motorola Edge (2021) steps up to 30W. This difference in charging speed is noticeable, allowing the Edge to replenish its battery faster. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 778G’s 6nm process is more power-efficient than the 750G’s 8nm process. This means the Edge (2021) could potentially offer comparable or even better battery life despite having a similar or smaller capacity battery, due to reduced power consumption.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A72 5G if you prioritize a potentially lower upfront cost and a familiar Samsung One UI experience. Buy the Motorola Edge (2021) if you value smoother performance, faster charging, and a more modern chipset capable of handling demanding applications and games with greater ease. The Edge is the better pick for those who intend to keep their phone for multiple years.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Edge (2021) handle graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 778G in the Motorola Edge (2021) is capable of running Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. The 6nm process and improved GPU provide better thermal management, reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions compared to the Galaxy A72 5G.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A72 5G overheat during prolonged use, like video recording or gaming?
The Snapdragon 750G in the Galaxy A72 5G can experience some throttling under sustained load, potentially leading to overheating during prolonged video recording or gaming. The 8nm process is less efficient than the 6nm process in the Motorola Edge (2021), making it more prone to heat buildup.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Motorola Edge (2021) compared to the Samsung Galaxy A72 5G?
The Motorola Edge (2021)'s 30W charging is noticeably faster than the A72 5G's 25W charging. Expect a quicker top-up time, potentially shaving off 15-20 minutes for a full charge, depending on battery capacity.
