Galaxy A73 5G vs Motorola Edge 50

The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, released in April 2022, and the Motorola Edge 50 Pro, launched in April 2024, represent two distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. While both devices operate on the Android platform, the Edge 50 Pro benefits from a two-year newer release, bringing advancements in processing power, display technology, and camera capabilities. This comparison will explore the practical differences between these two devices to help users make an informed decision based on their priorities.

When considering the longevity of a smartphone, factors like software support, physical durability, and ease of repair play a significant role. The two devices offer different timelines for software updates and varying levels of physical resilience.

• Software Longevity: The Motorola Edge 50 Pro, launching with Android 14, is expected to receive three major OS updates and four years of security patches, potentially extending its software support until Android 17. The Galaxy A73 5G, released with Android 12, is promised four years of OS updates and five years of security updates, meaning it should receive updates up to Android 16.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy A73 5G features Gorilla Glass 5 on its front and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro steps up with Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced screen protection and an IP68 rating, offering greater resistance to dust and water immersion.
• Expected Practical Lifespan: Both devices are built to last several years with proper care. The Edge 50 Pro's newer release and higher IP rating suggest a slight edge in physical resilience and a longer period of receiving the latest Android features.

The performance of a smartphone impacts everything from app responsiveness to gaming experience. These two models, separated by two years of technological advancement, show differences in their processing capabilities and battery management.

• Processing Power: The Motorola Edge 50 Pro features a newer generation processor, which generally translates to more efficient handling of demanding applications and smoother multitasking. The Galaxy A73 5G, while capable, provides a solid experience for everyday tasks and some gaming, though it may show limitations with graphically intensive games.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: Users of the Edge 50 Pro generally report a smooth and lag-free software experience, even with multiple applications running simultaneously. The Galaxy A73 5G also offers a responsive user interface, suitable for most daily activities.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A73 5G is equipped with a larger 5000 mAh battery, often lasting a full day with moderate to heavy use, and potentially two days with lighter usage. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro has a 4500 mAh battery, which users report also lasts a full day with average use, demonstrating efficient power management despite the smaller capacity.

The display is a primary interface for any smartphone, and both devices offer vibrant viewing experiences, though with some key distinctions in technology and features.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A73 5G features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ display, known for its deep blacks and vibrant colors, with a Full HD+ resolution. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro also has a 6.7-inch display, but it uses a P-OLED panel with a higher 1.5K resolution, offering slightly sharper visuals.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Edge 50 Pro boasts a higher peak brightness of 2000 nits, making it more visible in bright outdoor conditions, compared to the A73 5G's 800 nits. The Edge 50 Pro also offers a smoother visual experience with a 144Hz refresh rate, surpassing the A73 5G's 120Hz refresh rate.
• Viewing Experience: Both phones provide large, immersive screens. The Edge 50 Pro's curved display and higher resolution contribute to a more premium viewing experience, particularly for media consumption and detailed content. Some users of the Edge 50 Pro have reported dark patches at very low brightness settings.

Camera capabilities are a significant consideration for many users, and both the Galaxy A73 5G and Motorola Edge 50 Pro offer versatile camera systems with different strengths.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A73 5G features a 108 MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12 MP ultrawide, a 5 MP macro, and a 5 MP depth sensor. The Motorola Edge 50 Pro comes with a 50 MP main sensor (OIS, f/1.4), a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, and a 13 MP ultrawide with autofocus that also handles macro shots.
• Photography Performance: The A73 5G's main camera is praised for detailed and color-accurate photos, good dynamic range, and decent low-light performance. The Edge 50 Pro's main and telephoto cameras deliver detailed and vibrant images with good color accuracy, validated by Pantone. The Edge 50 Pro also includes a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which the A73 5G lacks, relying instead on digital zoom from its main sensor.
• Video and Selfie Capabilities: Both devices support 4K video recording at 30 frames per second from their main cameras. The A73 5G has a 32 MP front camera, while the Edge 50 Pro features a higher resolution 50 MP front camera with autofocus. Video stabilization is noted as good on both, with the Edge 50 Pro's stabilization being particularly impressive.