Samsung Galaxy A73 5G vs. A72: Which Mid-Range Samsung Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is the superior choice. The Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset delivers a noticeable performance boost over the A72’s Snapdragon 720G, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While battery life is comparable, the A73 5G’s future-proofing with 5G connectivity adds long-term value.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy A72 | Samsung Galaxy A73 5G |
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 17 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 26 | Available. Released 2022, April 22 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 165 x 77.4 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.05 x 0.33 in) | 163.7 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 107.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Always-on display | - | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 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) | 108 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 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Virtual proximity sensing | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Blue | Gray, Mint, White |
| Models | SM-A725F, SM-A725F/DS, SM-A725M, SM-A725M/DS | SM-A736B, SM-A736B/DS |
| Price | £ 174.89 / € 359.99 | About 600 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.14 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.23 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) | 1.28 W/kg (head) 1.42 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 117h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -26.4 LUFS (Good) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 279342 (v8) GeekBench: 6483 (v4.4), 1627 (v5.1) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A72
- Exceptional battery life (117h endurance)
- Bright 825 nit display
- Potentially lower price point
- Older Snapdragon 720G chipset
- Lacks 5G connectivity
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Improved image processing capabilities
- Battery life may be slightly lower than A72
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
Both the A72 and A73 5G feature displays capable of reaching 825 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. However, Samsung doesn't specify panel technology for either device, so we can assume they are both Super AMOLED. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term, but indicative of the excellent black levels inherent to AMOLED technology. The lack of high refresh rate information suggests both are likely 60Hz panels, a potential drawback compared to competitors.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s improved image signal processor (ISP) in the A73 5G will likely result in better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The A72’s camera is still capable, but the A73 5G benefits from the newer chipset’s computational photography enhancements. It's safe to assume both feature a standard array of lenses, but the A73 5G will likely offer more refined image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The A72 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with 2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver cores. The A73 5G steps up to the Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm). This represents a significant architectural shift; the 778G incorporates a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core, 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 performance cores, and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. The move to a 6nm process node also improves power efficiency. This translates to a demonstrably faster and more responsive experience on the A73 5G, particularly in graphically intensive tasks and multitasking.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A72 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 117 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The A73 5G’s battery capacity isn’t specified, but given the more efficient Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset, it’s likely to achieve comparable, if not slightly lower, endurance. Both devices support 25W wired charging, meaning 0-100% charge times will be similar, likely around 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A72 if you prioritize maximizing battery life and are on a very tight budget, and 5G connectivity isn't a necessity. It remains a capable device for everyday tasks. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G if you value faster performance for gaming and demanding apps, and want the benefits of 5G, even if it means a slightly higher initial investment.