Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Stunning Screen, Sacrificed Camera (199 User Reviews Analyzed)

💡Quick Summary

  • 📊 Based on 199 user reviews, we analyzed what owners truly think of the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G.
  • ✅ A brilliant "mini-cinema" screen is its best asset, earning a 90% positive score for vibrancy that beats key competitors.
  • ⚠️ The camera is the biggest failure, with its features scoring a dismal 23% positive—38 points below the category average.
  • 🔻 It feels like a downgrade for loyal users, who resent the removal of the predecessor's (Galaxy A72) optical zoom lens, feeling they "shouldn't have upgraded."
  • 🏁 Competitors are a major problem; the Motorola Edge+ beats its camera feature score by a staggering 77 points (100% vs 23%).
  • 💡 Bottom Line: A trade-off for Samsung loyalists who get a great screen and class-leading software stability but must sacrifice camera versatility and modern battery features.

What did we cover?

💡We count the number of positive, negative, and neutral mentions and calculate the percentage of positives for each aspect we are covering. Then, we compare them to the category and similar products.

We analyzed 199 verified reviews from actual users of the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G. Our goal was to move beyond simple star ratings to understand the specific reasons behind owner satisfaction and frustration.

To do this, we identified and examined key aspects of the phone, including its camera, screen, performance, and battery. We then tallied every positive, negative, and neutral comment for each one. This method gives us a clear percentage-based score, showing precisely how each feature performs in the hands of real people.

💰 Value for Money: Great, but Annoying

For the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, the story of its value for money is one of delivering a premium experience at a mid-range price, a perception that largely wins over its users. The key driver of this sentiment is the phone’s overall satisfaction relative to its cost, which achieves an 85% positive score, just edging out the category average of 84%.

This number reflects a powerful feeling among buyers that they’ve made a savvy choice, securing high-end performance without the flagship price tag. As one user succinctly put it:

I would consider it a flagship killer because it provides all I want in a phone without the high cost and compromising features.

Another echoed this, calling the A73 a device that:

offers many specifications and the quality of a flagship at a medium budget, for the average person.

For these owners, the value isn’t just about saving money; it’s about the satisfaction of getting a device that feels more expensive than it is.

The Missing Accessories Caveat

However, this satisfaction is significantly tempered by a major point of frustration: unexpected costs due to missing items. This factor scores a dismal 25% positive rating, revealing a widespread annoyance that tarnishes the out-of-the-box experience.

While this is a common issue—the A73 actually performs 4 points better than the category average here—the frustration is palpable. The main culprit is the lack of a charging adapter. This omission is a recurring theme in user complaints, with one person stating:

For the price, it could at least come with a charger.

The feeling of being short-changed is compounded by the absence of other accessories, as a customer lamented:

It’s a pity that you only get the phone and a charging cable; there’s no charger, no headphones, no screen protector, and no case at all.

These missing components force users into additional, unplanned purchases, creating a sense of nickel-and-diming that directly contradicts the phone’s strong initial value proposition.

Competitive Context

When placed in the competitive landscape, the A73’s value story becomes more nuanced. It serves as a compelling upgrade for existing Samsung users, with its 64% positive score on upgrade justification beating the category average by 5 points. One owner switching from an older model confirmed this, saying the:

A73 is even much better in almost all segments.

However, when compared to a direct competitor like the Motorola Edge+ (2023), the A73’s strong performance seems merely good. The Motorola achieves a perfect 100% positive score for both overall satisfaction versus cost and upgrade justification, a full 15 and 36 points higher than the A73, respectively.

This suggests that while A73 buyers feel they got a good deal, Motorola has managed to deliver a value proposition that leaves its customers feeling absolutely thrilled, setting a benchmark the A73 doesn’t quite meet.

Trade-Off: The Galaxy A73 5G offers a compelling “flagship-lite” experience for the price, but this value is undercut by the frustrating yet common industry trend of omitting essential accessories from the box.

📸 Camera: Basic Pics, Missing Lenses

The camera system on the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G presents a classic case of giving with one hand and taking with the other. Users find themselves pleased with the fundamental image results, but deeply frustrated by a lack of features and operational sluggishness that holds the experience back.

Core Image Quality

The primary bright spot for the A73 is its core image and video quality, which garners a 68% positive sentiment. While this is a full 10 points below the category average of 78%, it shows that for many users, the phone delivers on the basic promise of taking a good picture.

They describe the output as having “impressive cameras” and praise “the sharpness of the camera,” which they find “extraordinarily good.” For everyday point-and-shoot use, owners feel the phone’s “video performance is remarkable,” especially on the front camera, resulting in what one user called “super clear photos.”

Features and Sluggishness

However, this satisfaction is sharply undermined by the phone’s camera features and modes, which hold a dismal 23% positive rating—a staggering 38 points below the category average of 61%. This numerical gap translates into tangible frustration.

Users report that the camera is “very slow” and “takes a lot of time to open and focus,” creating a clunky and unreliable shooting experience. One owner lamented how the camera “goes out of focus most of the times.” This sluggishness is compounded by a perceived lack of versatility, with users noting that in certain modes, “there are not many options like zoom and more.”

A Painful Regression

This feeling of being short-changed is amplified when looking at the competition and even the phone’s own lineage. The frustration is not just about what the A73 has, but what it’s missing.

One of the most painful points for informed buyers is the removal of the zoom lens that was present on its predecessor, the Galaxy A72. As one user detailed:

The Galaxy A72 had a 3X optical zoom telephoto lens, but this year that lens was removed and replaced with a depth sensor that hardly anyone uses.

This decision makes the phone feel like a regression, not an upgrade. The chasm in functionality is starkly highlighted when compared to the Motorola Edge+ (2023), whose camera features receive a perfect 100% positive score, a full 77 points higher than the A73’s.

Trade-Off: Users must sacrifice the versatility of a dedicated zoom lens and responsive software for the A73’s ability to capture sharp, if basic, photos.

📱 Screen: Brilliant Display, Frustrating Touch

Regarding the screen of the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, the user experience is defined by a brilliant, almost cinematic visual quality that is occasionally let down by functional frustrations. The primary driver of positive sentiment is the display’s exceptional quality and vibrancy, which achieves a 90% positive rating—a full 7 points higher than the category average of 83%.

Owners don’t just see a good screen; they feel an immersive experience. One user described it as a “mini-cinema,” adding:

the picture is brighter than bright and incredibly clear.

This feeling is enhanced by the 120Hz refresh rate, which another user noted makes the phone feel “more responsive” compared to its predecessor, creating the perception of a truly premium piece of hardware.

Functional Frustrations

However, this visual delight is tarnished by issues with basic interaction. A recurring theme of user frustration is the touchscreen’s inconsistent responsiveness. This isn’t just a minor annoyance; it’s a practical hurdle in daily use. As one owner detailed:

The screen doesn’t register touch very well. Sometimes you have to press it several times for it to respond.

This sentiment is echoed by others who found the screen was sometimes not sensitive enough. A separate, but equally practical, complaint is the screen’s performance outdoors, with a user pointing out that it is difficult to use in direct sunlight:

the screenlight is not so bright when it’s in outdoor

Competitive Context

In a competitive context, the A73’s display quality is a powerful differentiator. Its 90% positive score for vibrancy and quality significantly outshines key competitors like the Motorola Edge+ (2023), which scores 83%, and Samsung’s own value alternative, the Galaxy A23, at just 79%.

This clear numeric edge explains why users upgrading from other devices are so impressed, with one calling the screen “a true embodiment of perfection” after switching from a different brand. While it trails the top-tier Sony Xperia 1 V by a negligible 2 points, the A73 delivers a viewing experience that punches well above its mid-range weight class, creating a perception of high value for money.

Trade-Off: The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G provides a brilliantly vibrant and cinematic display that delights the senses, but this premium viewing experience is undermined by frustrating lapses in touchscreen responsiveness and poor outdoor brightness.

🎨 Design: Beauty’s Costly Compromise

The design of the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G presents a classic case of aesthetic appeal clashing with functional reality. While the phone’s appearance receives high praise, a deeper look reveals user frustration with material choices and missing features.

The phone’s beauty is a major draw, with its general aesthetics and look scoring an impressive 91% positive sentiment, comfortably above the 88% category average. Users frequently praise its sophisticated appearance, noting how “the manufacturer made a lot of effort to ensure a refined and stylish appearance” and calling it a “noble phone” that is “very strict, beautiful, clear.”

This visual appeal is enhanced by its comfortable ergonomics, with its size and handling scoring a solid 79%—significantly higher than the 71% category average. One user captured this sentiment perfectly, stating:

It is very light and thin, making it easy to handle.

Functionality Sacrificed for Form

However, this positive first impression is undermined by significant issues with its features and materials. The story flips when looking at design features and changes, which received a dismal 38% positive rating, falling below the 40% category average. Users feel let down by what’s missing, with frustrations boiling over about practical omissions that impact daily use.

One owner lamented the lack of a headphone jack, stating, “it doesn’t have a 3.5 jack for headphones,” while another missed a familiar convenience, saying, “I do miss the little flashing light telling me I have incoming mail.”

More serious functional flaws, such as a faulty biometric sensor, led one user to report a critical failure:

The fingerprint scanner does not work at all.

These issues suggest that in the pursuit of a clean aesthetic, Samsung has sacrificed practical elements that users depend on.

Poor Materials Compared to Competitors

This sense of compromise is amplified when comparing the A73 to its peers and predecessors. While some users describe the phone as having a “premium feel,” others strongly disagree, pointing out that “the exterior materials are very poor, very fragile plastics.”

This criticism becomes sharper in context. Direct competitors like the Sony Xperia 1 V and Motorola Edge+ (2023) both achieve a perfect 100% positive rating for build quality, a stark contrast to the A73’s 75%. This gap highlights a clear trade-off in materials.

Even more telling is the feedback from a user who upgraded from the previous model, the A71:

I upgraded from the A71… The device itself is thicker and heavier. To summarize—I miss the previous device, I shouldn’t have upgraded, I feel like I haven’t moved forward.

This shows that for some loyal users, the design of the A73 feels like a step backward.

Trade-Off: Users gain a visually elegant and easy-to-handle phone but must sacrifice the premium materials and essential functional features found in competitors and even previous models.

⚙️ Performance: Reliable Yet Flawed

For the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, performance is a story of reliable competence rather than groundbreaking speed. Users find its processing power and speed—the most discussed factor with an 83% positive sentiment, matching the category average—to be a dependable engine for daily life. This isn’t about raw power that wows, but about a smooth, consistent experience that meets expectations.

As one owner noted after a year of use, “it’s performance is still amazing.” This sentiment is echoed by others who praise it as “flawless” for “day 2 day tasks” and appreciate that the phone works very quickly, even with heavy applications. For many, this predictable reliability is exactly what they need.

Thermal Management and Upgrade Disappointment

However, the experience isn’t without its frictions. A significant undercurrent of frustration emerges around thermal management, an issue that sours the otherwise smooth operation for some.

This isn’t just a minor annoyance; it’s a practical issue that directly impacts usability and comfort, with users reporting a tangible problem:

While using calls, Data and charging immediately the phone will get Heating.

In a few galling cases, some users upgrading from older models felt underwhelmed. One stated their previous A71 has “good body and fast working than A73,” suggesting the performance leap wasn’t as significant as they had hoped for.

Competitive Positioning

This feeling of being merely adequate is amplified when placed in the competitive landscape. While the A73’s 83% positive rating for processing speed is solid, it pales in comparison to the near-flawless experiences offered by rivals. Both the Sony Xperia 1 V (95%) and the Motorola Edge+ (2023), with its perfect 100% positive score, deliver a palpably snappier and more responsive feel that A73 owners are missing out on.

Conversely, the A73 establishes its value against cheaper alternatives, handily beating out the 64% score of the more budget-friendly Samsung Galaxy A23. This positions the A73 as a clear and justifiable step-up for those within the Samsung ecosystem, as one user aptly puts it:

Very powerfull for mid range of samsung!

Trade-Off: Buyers get a reliably smooth daily driver that comfortably outperforms its budget siblings, but they must accept noticeable overheating issues and a performance ceiling that falls well short of its direct competitors.

🛡️ Software & OS: Reliable but Rough Around Edges

For the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, the software and operating system experience is a story of contrasts. While users largely appreciate the familiar interface, a deeper look reveals a significant divide between day-to-day usability and foundational stability.

Software Reliability

The phone’s most compelling software strength is its remarkable reliability. With a 50% positive sentiment score for software stability, the A73 dramatically outperforms the dreary category average of 27%. This isn’t just a number; it translates into tangible peace of mind for users.

They feel secure knowing their device will be supported for years, as one owner noted:

The Android update is very long, so I don’t have to worry about being out of date.

Others mentioned that while small issues can appear, they are quickly resolved. “Initially, I was a little upset that the connection periodically dropped,” one user explained, “But after installing the updates, everything worked correctly.” This reliability fosters a sense of trust in the device’s longevity and performance.

Daily Experience Friction

However, this stable foundation is undermined by friction in the daily user experience. The A73’s UI smoothness and usability score of 73% is actually a point below the category average, and user frustrations highlight why.

These aren’t system-crashing bugs, but persistent annoyances that detract from the experience. One user detailed a specific, cumbersome task:

In other brands, the Gmail app has a menu to select all emails and delete them at once, but with Samsung there is none, I have to delete them one by one. It’s very tiring.

Another pointed to clunky core features, stating:

The writing keyboard is not so good in many ways… and the system for photos and gallery is not organized well.

Competitive Context

This contrast becomes even sharper when placed in its competitive context. The A73’s software stability (50% positive) is its killer feature, absolutely trouncing rivals like the Sony Xperia 1 V (0%) and the Motorola Edge+ (13%). For users who have been burned by buggy phones, the A73 is a safe harbor in a sea of unreliable software.

Yet, those same competitors offer a more polished daily interaction. The Motorola Edge+, for example, scores a perfect 100% for UI smoothness, a stark contrast to the A73’s 73%, explaining why some users feel Samsung’s interface has rough edges that other brands have already sanded down.

Trade-Off: Users must decide between the A73’s class-leading software stability and the more polished, but demonstrably less reliable, user interfaces offered by its rivals.

🔋 Battery: Divided, Inconsistent, Lagging

When it comes to the battery of the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, user experiences are deeply divided. While some owners enjoy impressive longevity, many others are left frustrated by inconsistent performance and a lack of modern features, creating a narrative of unfulfilled potential.

Impressive Longevity for Some

On the positive side, the phone’s core battery life, with a 56% positive sentiment score, does satisfy a notable portion of its user base. For these owners, the A73 delivers genuine freedom from battery anxiety, lasting well beyond a single day.

This practical benefit is a frequent point of praise. One user noted:

“The battery is very good, it lasts about 2 days, 1 and a half days if I use it constantly.”

Another happy customer, a gamer, quantifies this endurance, illustrating that the device is a reliable workhorse capable of handling heavy use:

“The battery gives me more than 7 hours of screen time when gaming and watching videos.”

Charging and Consistency Issues

However, this positive story is heavily undermined by widespread dissatisfaction with charging methods and erratic battery drain. User sentiment for charging methods plummets to just 14%, less than half the category average of 32%.

The reason is clear: a perceived-as-basic feature is glaringly absent. As one user laments:

“It would have been perfect if wireless charging was included.”

This omission feels like a significant compromise, leaving the phone feeling less premium than its price might suggest.

Compounding this issue are reports of unpredictable performance, where the experience is the exact opposite of reliable. One user detailed their frustration:

“The battery is weaker than the previous model. It lasts a day and a bit with minimal use. For some reason, the device eats battery at rest. At night, the battery drops by 15%.”

Falling Short of Competitors

This inconsistency becomes even more stark in the competitive landscape. The A73’s 56% positive score for battery life pales in comparison to the perfect 100% scores earned by direct competitors like the Sony Xperia 1 V and Motorola Edge+ (2023).

This vast gap means that while A73 owners are gambling on their battery experience, users of rival phones enjoy near-universal satisfaction. This isn’t just a downgrade against current competitors; some feel it’s a step back from older models.

As one former Motorola user noted, comparing it to a predecessor like the Motorola G60:

“Compared to a Motorola G60 I had before, its battery lasted me two days with heavy use.”

This highlights the disappointment of switching to a new device only to find its crucial endurance lacking.

Trade-Off: The potential for multi-day battery life is a tangible reality for some, but it comes at the cost of modern charging features and a significant risk of inconsistent performance that falls far short of its main rivals.

Bottom Line

  • A “Flagship Killer” Value: An impressive 85% of users feel they got a premium experience that punches well above its mid-range price tag.
  • ⚠️ Battery is the Critical Weakness: Overall satisfaction is just 44%—a full 17 points below the category average—with users citing inconsistent performance and no wireless charging.
  • 🔻 Feels Like a Step Backward: Some loyal users are disappointed, with one stating they “shouldn’t have upgraded” from a previous model and feel they “haven’t moved forward.”
  • 📉 Key Features Removed: The camera is a functional downgrade from its predecessor, losing the A72’s 3X optical zoom lens and earning a dismal 23% rating for features.
  • 🏁 Outclassed by the Competition: It struggles against key rivals; the Motorola Edge+ (2023) earns a perfect 100% score for battery life versus the A73’s 44%.
  • 💡 The Verdict: A phone of frustrating compromises. Its great screen and stable software are betrayed by a poor battery and features stripped from its own lineage.