iQOO Neo6 (China) vs Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The vivo iQOO Neo6 (China) and Samsung Galaxy A73 5G represent distinct approaches to the mid-to-high range smartphone market. The iQOO Neo6 prioritizes raw processing power with its flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, while the Galaxy A73 5G aims for a more well-rounded experience with a focus on battery life, camera versatility, and Samsung’s established software ecosystem. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the iQOO Neo6 (China) is the clear winner thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. However, the Galaxy A73 5G provides a more balanced package with better efficiency and a more refined software experience, making it ideal for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo6 (China) 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, 18, 19, 26, 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, 3, 5, 8, 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
Announced2022, April 132022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 20Available. Released 2022, April 22
Body
Dimensions163 x 76.2 x 8.5 mm or 8.9 mm163.7 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
Weight194 / 197.2 g (6.84 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 (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 642L
OSAndroid 12, OriginOS OceanAndroid 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
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/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.0, 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
Charging80W wired, 20-80% in 19 min25W wired
Type4700 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, OrangeGray, Mint, White
ModelsV2196ASM-A736B, SM-A736B/DS
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 600 EUR
SAR-1.14 W/kg (head)
SAR EU-1.28 W/kg (head)     1.42 W/kg (body)

vivo iQOO Neo6 (China)

  • Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
  • Ultra-fast 80W charging
  • Likely higher refresh rate display

  • Potential for thermal throttling
  • Software experience may be less refined than Samsung’s One UI

Samsung Galaxy A73 5G

  • More efficient processor (Snapdragon 778G)
  • Polished software experience with One UI
  • Potentially better battery life during typical use

  • Slower processor compared to the iQOO Neo6
  • Slower 25W charging

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature AMOLED panels (based on market segment), the specifics are not provided. The iQOO Neo6’s performance focus suggests a higher refresh rate is probable, potentially 120Hz or higher, to complement the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The Galaxy A73 5G, being a more mainstream device, may prioritize power efficiency over peak display performance. Without specific brightness data, it’s difficult to assess which offers a better outdoor visibility experience, but Samsung typically excels in display calibration and color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the iQOO Neo6’s focus on performance suggests a camera system geared towards speed and processing capabilities. The Galaxy A73 5G, as a Samsung device, likely benefits from Samsung’s well-regarded image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor. The A73 5G likely includes OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on its primary lens, a feature that enhances low-light photography and video stabilization. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A73 5G is unlikely to be a significant selling point, as these sensors typically lack detail and dynamic range.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The iQOO Neo6’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) is a significant leap over the Galaxy A73 5G’s Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm). The 8 Gen 1’s Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.00 GHz provides substantially higher peak performance. The 6nm process of the 778G offers better efficiency, but the 8 Gen 1’s architectural advantages (newer CPU cores, faster GPU) translate to a more responsive experience in demanding applications. The iQOO Neo6 likely benefits from faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing performance, while the A73 5G likely uses LPDDR5. Thermal management will be crucial for the iQOO Neo6; the 8 Gen 1 is known to run hot, potentially leading to throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

The iQOO Neo6’s 80W wired charging is a game-changer, capable of charging from 20-80% in just 19 minutes. This significantly reduces downtime compared to the Galaxy A73 5G’s 25W charging. While the A73 5G may have a slightly larger battery capacity (spec not provided), the iQOO Neo6’s faster charging mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. The Snapdragon 778G’s efficiency in the A73 5G will contribute to longer battery life during typical usage, but the iQOO Neo6’s rapid charging allows for quick top-ups when needed.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo6 (China) if you absolutely need the fastest possible performance for gaming, video editing, or other resource-intensive applications and are comfortable with a potentially more aggressive thermal profile. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G if you prioritize all-day battery life, a versatile camera system, and a polished software experience with Samsung’s One UI, even if it means sacrificing some raw processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the iQOO Neo6 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. The iQOO Neo6 likely incorporates cooling solutions, but throttling is still a possibility during prolonged gaming. Expect performance to dip slightly after extended use, but the overall experience will still be significantly faster than the Galaxy A73 5G.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Galaxy A73 5G slow compared to the iQOO Neo6's 80W?
Yes, 25W charging is considerably slower than 80W. While the A73 5G may have a larger battery, the iQOO Neo6 can add a substantial amount of charge in a very short time. A full charge on the A73 5G will take significantly longer, requiring more planning around charging schedules.
❓ Does the Galaxy A73 5G support high frame rate gaming like 90fps in PUBG?
The Snapdragon 778G 5G is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but achieving consistently high frame rates like 90fps will depend on the graphics settings. Lowering the settings will be necessary to maintain smooth gameplay, and it won't match the sustained performance of the iQOO Neo6.