The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G sticks to a tried-and-true formula, but is it a significant upgrade over its predecessor? This Samsung Galaxy A73 5G review will explore the device’s improvements and whether it stands out in a competitive market. At the time of this review, the A73 5G is available in India for ₹47,490 and is expected to launch in select markets worldwide.

Design & Build

The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G boasts a sleek and lightweight design, weighing 181g and measuring just 7.6mm thick. Despite its large screen, it is comfortable to hold and handle. The build quality, while good, feels somewhat plasticky. The back resists fingerprints well, though the camera bump is noticeable. The phone is IP67 rated, meaning it can survive in 1 meter of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Our review unit came in Awesome Mint, but it’s also available in Awesome Grey and Awesome White.

The device features an in-display fingerprint scanner that performs adequately, though some may prefer a side-mounted sensor on the power button. The SIM tray at the top supports dual nano-SIM cards or one SIM and a microSD card up to 1TB. However, there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, and a USB-C adapter is not included.

Screen & Speakers

The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G sports a 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED+ Infinity-O display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering excellent viewing experiences. The refresh rate can be manually set to 60Hz or 120Hz, though there’s no auto-switch option. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, while some competitors offer the newer Gorilla Glass Victus. Dark Mode is available system-wide, enhancing the panel’s performance.

The always-on display feature allows users to check notifications without waking the screen. Minimal bezels surround the display, and a 32MP punch-hole selfie camera is positioned underneath. However, the audio from the speakers is underwhelming, with limited volume. Dolby Atmos provides a minor improvement, but this device isn’t ideal for those looking to play music without a Bluetooth speaker.

Performance

Powered by an Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor and 8GB of RAM, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G offers solid performance. Available in 128GB or 256GB storage options, the latter is exclusive to the Awesome Mint color. Our review unit, with 8/128GB, showed no noticeable lag during regular use.

Although the Snapdragon 778G is a reliable mid-tier 5G chip, it feels outdated compared to similarly priced phones equipped with newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Snapdragon 888 processors. Despite its performance, the A73 5G offers poor value in the performance department given its price point.

The device supports Wi-Fi 6, with notification tray icons reflecting faster network connections. However, it does get moderately warm during video capture, gaming, or GPS use.

Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G features a 108MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, a 5MP depth sensor, and a 5MP macro lens. The 108MP sensor captures 12MP images by default through pixel binning, producing good quality photos in daylight. The ultra-wide camera captures broad scenes but loses some detail at the edges. The macro mode requires close proximity to subjects and doesn’t automatically switch, though the app prompts you.

Portrait mode is available on both front and rear cameras, allowing for bokeh and lighting adjustments post-capture. Low-light performance is mediocre, requiring a steady hand to avoid blurry shots. The 32MP front camera takes decent selfies and portraits in good lighting, with a hand-waving gesture to snap photos.

Battery Life & Charging

The 5000mAh battery in the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G can last an entire day with heavy usage at a 120Hz refresh rate, extending further at 60Hz. Samsung includes software tweaks for battery management, and the power-saving mode offers several energy-saving options.

In the PCMark Work 3.0 battery test, the A73 5G lasted 12 hours and 42 minutes. However, Samsung does not include a 25W charger in the box, resulting in slower charging times compared to competitors. The device reached 34% in 30 minutes using a compatible charger, but wireless charging is not supported.

Software & Apps

Running on Android 12 with One UI 4.1, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G offers a smooth and customizable user experience. Samsung promises four years of OS updates and five years of security updates, surpassing even Google’s Pixel phones. However, the device comes pre-loaded with numerous apps, some of which cannot be uninstalled.

Price & Availability

The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G was launched in India in April and is available globally :

• 8/128GB for ₹35,490 (approx $510)
• 8/256GB for ₹36,990 (approx $545)

It can be purchased directly from Samsung : https://www.samsung.com/levant/smartphones/galaxy-a/galaxy-a73-5g-awesome-gray-256gb-sm-a736bzahmea/

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, despite its decent performance and excellent display, feels overpriced due to its older processor and limited fast charging capabilities. Competing devices offer more powerful specs and faster charging at similar or lower prices. However, the A73 5G benefits from Samsung’s brand value and extended software support. If you’re a Samsung user seeking a mid-range 5G phone, the A73 5G is a viable option.

Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Sleek Design: The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G has a thin and lightweight build, making it comfortable to hold and handle.
2. Impressive Display: The 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED+ Infinity-O display with a 120Hz refresh rate offers an excellent viewing experience.
3. IP67 Rating: The phone is water and dust resistant, enhancing its durability.
4. Long Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery ensures all-day usage even with heavy use.
5. Versatile Camera Setup: The 108MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP depth, and 5MP macro lenses provide diverse photography options.
6. Extended Software Support: Samsung promises four years of OS updates and five years of security updates.
7. Expandable Storage: The device supports microSD cards up to 1TB, providing ample storage space.

Cons

1. Plastic Build Quality: The phone’s build feels plasticky, which might not appeal to all users.
2. Underwhelming Speaker Quality: The audio from the speakers is not very powerful and lacks volume.
3. No 3.5mm Headphone Jack: The absence of a headphone jack may be inconvenient for some users.
4. No Charger Included: Samsung does not include a charger in the box, requiring an additional purchase for fast charging.
5. Moderate Heating: The device can get moderately warm during intensive tasks like gaming or video capture.
6. Outdated Processor: The Snapdragon 778G, while reliable, is not as powerful as newer processors found in similarly priced competitors.
7. Limited Fast Charging: The 25W fast charging is slower compared to competitors offering up to 120W charging.

Image Credits :The images used in this review are sourced from the official Samsung Website https://www.samsung.com. All rights reserved to their respective owners.

Do checkout review of Motorola Edge 50 pro : https://reviewandratings.com/motorola-edge-50-pro-review/