The POCO X5 Pro is priced starting at ₹22,999 and it comes equipped with the Snapdragon 778G processor
The Moto G73 is priced at ₹18,999 and is India's first phone to feature the MediaTek Dimensity 930 SoC
The POCO X5 Pro has 108 MP triple camera setup while the Moto G73 has a 50 MP dual camera setup. Let's find out which one is better
We've got a new phone from Motorola in the mid-range segment – the Moto G73 (review) and boy, is it a stunner! But looks aside, should you care about this phone and even invest your hard-earned money into it? This is a question a comparison would answer well, and to give the Moto G73 a bit more of a challenge we are pitting it against another phone that launched not too long ago but impressed us with its performance – the Poco X5 Pro (review). We decide to compare the phones’ gaming and camera performance. We threw cameras in the mix since Motorola has stated that they’ve improved its camera system with the new Moto G73. So, let’s see which mid-ranger comes out on top!
POCO X5 Pro and Moto G73 Specifications
First, let’s run down the internal and camera specifications of the Moto G73 and Poco X5 Pro. The Moto G73 is India's first phone with the new MediaTek Dimensity 930 SoC. It comes with 8GB RAM, 128 GB internal storage, and Android 13 with Moto's MyUX software. For optics, you’ve got a 50 MP main camera, and an 8 MP ultrawide + macro + depth camera. Finally, the phone features a 16 MP sensor for selfies.
The POCO X5 Pro, on the other hand, comes equipped with the reliable ol' Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor, 6 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage on the base variant. You’ve got Android 12 out of the box with MIUI 14 on top. The phone features a 108 MP main lens, an 8 MP ultrawide, and a 2 MP macro. Of course, for selfies, there's a 16 MP lens.
POCO X5 Pro vs Moto G73: Gaming and Performance
Both these phones come equipped with powerful budget to mid-range SoCs that proved their mettle in our tests. Do note that the POCO X5 Pro costs ₹4,000 more than the Moto G73 for the base 6 GB + 128 GB variant, and costs ₹6000 more for the 8GB + 256 GB variant – which I got for review. So, how much better performance do you get for that price difference?
Let's start with benchmark results. The POCO X5 Pro soundly beat the Moto G73 in AnTuTu scoring over 100K more, but in Geekbench Single Core, it was actually left behind by the cheaper Moto G73 as you can see. In the Multi-Core test, the POCO X5 Pro again took a substantial lead. I also ran PCMarkWork, which simulates real-world tasks, on both phones and the POCO X5 Pro only had a slight lead here. Lastly, to test the CPU, I ran the CPU Throttling Test, where both phones performed admirably, meaning they won't heat up and throttle too much even while running intensive tasks.
Moving on to GPU tests, the Moto G73 refused to run 3D Mark. The POCO X5 Pro, on the other hand, got a decent score of 2459 in 3D Mark WildLife. In GFXBench, the POCO X5 Pro performed considerably better than the Moto G73 in all three tests. This translates to real-world gaming as well, since when I fired up COD: Mobile, POCO runs it at Very High graphics by default while the Moto runs it only at Medium by default. With the default settings active, the phones got similar scores in GameBench – both of which are very impressive. I switched on High Graphics on the Moto G73 and played a multiplayer match and got an even better score of 60 fps at 97% stability, but the device did get warmer than it was at Medium graphics.
So, you could face throttling in long gaming sessions on the Moto G73 at High Graphics. Nevertheless, both are capable devices – each with its own Gaming Mode that activates in-game. However, the POCO X5 Pro is definitely more geared towards gaming than the Moto G73. The POCO X5 Pro also does better at keeping multiple intensive apps running in the background simultaneously. General multitasking and real-world usage are great on both phones, they breeze through most apps without hitches and scrolling feels smooth due to the 120 Hz display.
Lastly, the UI is vastly better on the Moto G73 – lesser bloatware, fewer third-party apps, and a clean experience. Also, the Moto G73 runs Android 13 out of the box, while the Poco X5 Pro runs only Android 12.
POCO X5 Pro vs Moto G73: Camera
Both the Moto G73 and the POCO X5 Pro come with new and improved primary cameras compared to the ones on their predecessors. The Moto G73 has a 2µm 50 MP primary sensor and the POCO X5 Pro features a 108 MP ISOLCELL HM2 primary lens. Starting off with daylight shots, the Moto G73 has more natural colours while the POCO X5 Pro's images are more saturated with oodles of contrast. Detail retention in such conditions is better on the Moto G73 with more detail captured in the shadows. Although the Poco X5 Pro's images look more social-media-worthy, the Moto G73 definitely captures more detail. We've added image samples below, do note they've been compressed for the web.
Poco X5 Pro (Left) vs Moto G73 (right)
Both phones have 8 MP ultrawide cameras, and Moto does better at capturing details in shadows while the Poco X5 pro controls highlights better – both these ultrawide cameras could definitely be better. But overall, Moto's ultrawide images look slightly more detailed with better dynamic range.
Poco X5 Pro (Left) vs Moto G73 (right)
Moto also has a macro mode which utilises its ultrawide lens for macro pictures. The macro images are nothing spectacular and usually blurry since there's no stabilisation.
Indoor images in well-lit conditions are usually softer on the POCO X5 Pro. Natural background blur is more aggressive on Poco, so a lot of the subject can be out of focus when taking close-ups. Also, note that we've faced some lens flare issues on the Poco X5 Pro as well.
Poco X5 Pro (Left) vs Moto G73 (right)
As for portraits, both phones have mediocre edge detection but Moto's skin tone reproduction is definitely more natural. The background blur is more understated on the Moto. In tricky lighting though, Moto really overexposes the image which looks unnatural. For selfies, Moto provides a more detailed image by a slight margin but Poco's selfies have quite a bit of detail in ideal lighting as well. Portrait selfies look more natural on the Moto G73.
Poco X5 Pro (Left) vs Moto G73 (right)
As for low-light images, both phones show some weaknesses. Moto is better at clicking shots with human subjects at night but generally, the Poco X5 pro has more detail in its low-light images. Overall, both cameras, especially in daylight, are good for the price range – but the Poco X5 Pro's camera shows more versatility in low light shots.
Poco X5 Pro (Left) vs Moto G73 (right)
POCO X5 Pro vs Moto G73: Verdict
If the Moto G73 and the Poco X5 Pro carried the same price tag, we would definitely be more inclined to recommend the Poco X5 Pro. It has definitively better gaming performance and its primary camera performs better in low light. However, due to the ₹4-6K price difference, the Moto G73 is great value for money. For ₹6K cheaper, you get competitive performance in the real-world and benchmarks, a solid primary camera in ideal lighting conditions, and a cleaner user interface. Additionally, you get an extra macro mode and Android 13 out of the box.
So, based solely on value – the Moto G73 is the more compelling option. However, based on purely performance numbers – the Poco X5 Pro is still superior. So, ultimately, it depends on your use case. If you're a hardcore gamer, we would recommend the Poco X5 Pro but if you're looking for a budget device with well-rounded abilities, the Moto G73 provides better value for money.
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Dhriti Datta
Perpetually sporting a death stare, this one can be seen tinkering around with her smartphone which she holds more dear than life itself and stuffing her face with copious amounts of bacon. View Full Profile
