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

The iQOO Neo6 SE and Samsung Galaxy A73 5G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The iQOO prioritizes raw performance with its Snapdragon 870, while the Galaxy A73 5G aims for a more balanced experience with a focus on features and Samsung’s ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the iQOO Neo6 SE is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 870 offers significantly more processing power and faster charging. However, the Galaxy A73 5G appeals to those who value Samsung’s software experience and a more rounded feature set, despite its less powerful chipset.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo6 SE Samsung Galaxy A73 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 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, 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, May 062022, March 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 11Available. Released 2022, April 22
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back-
Dimensions163 x 76.2 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 3.00 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
Weight190 g (6.70 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+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 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 RAM, 512GB 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), 1/3.1", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, 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, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 32 min25W wired
Type4700 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, Orange, GradientGray, Mint, White
ModelsV2199ASM-A736B, SM-A736B/DS
PriceAbout 290 EURAbout 600 EUR
SAR-1.14 W/kg (head)
SAR EU-1.28 W/kg (head)     1.42 W/kg (body)

vivo iQOO Neo6 SE

  • Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 870)
  • Ultra-fast 80W charging
  • Potentially better gaming performance

  • Potentially smaller battery capacity
  • Less refined software experience compared to Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A73 5G

  • Samsung’s One UI software and ecosystem integration
  • Likely larger battery capacity
  • Potentially more versatile camera system

  • Slower processor (Snapdragon 778G)
  • Significantly slower 25W charging
  • Less ideal for demanding gaming

Display Comparison

While both phones likely feature AMOLED panels (based on market segment), the specifics are crucial. The Galaxy A73 5G’s display is expected to have a 120Hz refresh rate, but the iQOO Neo6 SE’s panel specifications are not provided. The Snapdragon 870’s more powerful GPU can drive higher frame rates, potentially making the iQOO a better choice for gaming even with a similar panel. The A73’s larger size may also translate to a more immersive viewing experience, but this comes at the cost of one-handed usability.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the iQOO Neo6 SE, positioned as a performance-focused device, may prioritize image processing speed over sensor size. The Galaxy A73 5G, being a Samsung device, will likely benefit from Samsung’s well-regarded image processing algorithms. The A73’s camera system is likely to be more versatile, offering a wider range of shooting modes and features. The presence of OIS on the A73 would be a significant advantage for low-light photography and video stabilization, a feature not confirmed on the iQOO.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The iQOO Neo6 SE’s Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm) boasts a prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, significantly exceeding the Galaxy A73 5G’s Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78. This translates to a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The 7nm process of the 870 is less efficient than the 6nm process of the 778G, but the sheer processing power difference outweighs this. The iQOO’s likely use of LPDDR5 RAM further enhances its performance edge over the A73’s probable LPDDR4x RAM.

Battery Life

The Galaxy A73 5G likely has a larger battery capacity (5000mAh is typical for Samsung A-series) than the iQOO Neo6 SE. However, the iQOO’s 80W wired charging is a game-changer. It can reach 50% charge in just 12 minutes and 100% in 32 minutes, drastically reducing downtime. The A73 5G’s 25W charging is comparatively slow. While the A73 may offer longer screen-on time, the iQOO’s rapid charging mitigates battery anxiety and allows for quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo6 SE if you need a phone for intensive gaming, frequent multitasking, or quickly transferring large files. Its Snapdragon 870 and 80W charging are geared towards power users. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G if you prefer a more polished software experience, a wider range of Samsung ecosystem integration, and a longer-lasting battery for moderate daily use, even if it means sacrificing some raw performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 778G in the Galaxy A73 5G struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 778G is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The iQOO Neo6 SE’s Snapdragon 870 will handle the game at higher settings with greater ease, providing a more enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the iQOO Neo6 SE compared to the 25W charging on the Galaxy A73 5G in real-world use?
The iQOO Neo6 SE can go from 0% to 100% in approximately 32 minutes, while the Galaxy A73 5G will take well over an hour. This means you can quickly top up the iQOO during short breaks, whereas the A73 requires a longer charging period.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 870 in the iQOO Neo6 SE generate significantly more heat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 870 is known to generate more heat than the 778G. However, iQOO typically implements effective cooling solutions to mitigate throttling. While some heat is expected during extended gaming, it shouldn't significantly impact performance.