Galaxy A73 5G vs Motorola Edge 50 Fusion

The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, released in March 2022, and the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion, launched in May 2024, are both Android smartphones designed to offer a balanced experience for everyday users. While the Galaxy A73 5G emphasizes a high-resolution main camera and a Super AMOLED Plus display, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion counters with a newer processor, a faster refresh rate pOLED screen, and quicker charging capabilities. Both devices operate on the Android platform, providing access to a wide ecosystem of applications and services.

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, factors like release date, software support, and physical durability are important.

• Release Timeline: The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G was released in March 2022, making it an older model compared to the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion, which launched in May 2024. This two-year difference in release directly impacts their respective software support cycles and the duration for which they will receive updates.
• Software Longevity: The Galaxy A73 5G originally shipped with Android 12 and was promised up to four major Android version updates, reaching Android 16 as its final official OS update. It receives quarterly security updates, though it has reached its end of life for major OS updates. In contrast, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion launched with Android 14 and is expected to receive three years of Android updates and four years of security updates.
• Durability Features: Both devices offer robust protection against environmental elements. The Galaxy A73 5G features an IP67 rating for dust and water protection, and its display is safeguarded by Gorilla Glass 5. The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion boasts an IP68 rating, indicating a higher level of dust and water resistance, and also uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for screen protection.

The performance of a smartphone is largely determined by its internal components, affecting everything from app responsiveness to multitasking efficiency and battery endurance.

• Processor Capabilities: The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is powered by a processor that handles everyday tasks smoothly and offers good power efficiency. The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion features a newer generation processor, which provides smooth and responsive performance for daily use, though it may struggle with highly demanding games or intensive multitasking.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy A73 5G is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, contributing to a smooth and responsive user experience. The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion offers 8GB or 12GB of RAM, which allows for efficient handling of multiple applications simultaneously, though some users note occasional slowdowns during graphically intensive tasks.
• Battery Performance and Charging: Both smartphones are equipped with a 5000mAh battery capacity, providing substantial power for extended use. The Galaxy A73 5G supports 25W fast charging, which users have noted is not the fastest available. The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion supports significantly faster 68W TurboPower fast charging, and a compatible charger is included in the box. Users report both devices can last through a full day of moderate to heavy use, with the A73 5G often extending to two days.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and its quality significantly impacts the user experience for media consumption, browsing, and daily tasks.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, known for its deep blacks and vibrant colors, offering a clear Full HD+ resolution of 1080x2400 pixels. The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion comes with a 6.7-inch pOLED display, also providing a Full HD+ resolution of 2340x1080 pixels, and is praised for its striking, edge-to-edge appearance.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both devices offer a high refresh rate for smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The Galaxy A73 5G has a 120Hz refresh rate. The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion surpasses this with a 144Hz refresh rate, which can provide an even more fluid visual experience, particularly in supported content and games.
• Brightness and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy A73 5G's display can reach up to 800 nits of brightness, making it generally usable outdoors. The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion offers a higher peak brightness of up to 1600 nits and a sustained high brightness mode of 1200 nits, which can improve visibility in bright sunlight. Both displays are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

The camera systems on both smartphones are designed to capture a variety of moments, with different strengths in their hardware and software processing.

• Rear Camera System: The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G features a quad-camera setup, highlighted by a 108MP main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and two 5MP sensors for macro and depth. The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion has a dual-camera system, including a 50MP main sensor with OIS and a 13MP ultra-wide lens that also functions for macro photography.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy A73 5G's 108MP main camera produces detailed and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions, though its low-light performance and night mode have been noted as decent but not exceptional, with some noise. The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion's main camera also performs well in good lighting, capturing vibrant images with good detail, and performs admirably in low-light conditions. The ultra-wide camera on the Edge 50 Fusion is considered acceptable but not outstanding in detail, especially at the edges.
• Video and Audio Capabilities: Both devices are capable of recording video at 4K resolution at 30 frames per second from both front and rear cameras, with decent stabilization and accurate colors. For audio, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion includes a stereo speaker system with Dolby Atmos support, enhancing the media consumption experience. The Galaxy A73 5G also features stereo speakers. Both phones have a 32MP front-facing camera for selfies, which users generally find to be good in well-lit environments.