The Honor 10X Lite and Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded budget 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset choice and overall performance philosophy. This comparison dissects these differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the Honor 10X Lite’s Kirin 710A, despite the Honor’s superior battery endurance rating. The A51 5G UW’s more modern architecture translates to a smoother user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 29. Released 2020, October 29 | 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76.9 x 9.3 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) | 158.8 x 73.4 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.89 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3.1, no Google Play Services | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, built-in antenna | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired, 46% in 30 min | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 672 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Icelandic Frost, Midnight Black, Emerald Green | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | DNN-LX9 | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.32 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 114h | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1260:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-29.4 LUFS (Average) | - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 172910 (v8)
GeekBench: 1346 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Honor 10X Lite
- Exceptional battery life (114h endurance)
- Faster 22.5W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Less powerful Kirin 710A chipset
- Older 14nm process technology
- Likely less refined software experience
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- More powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset
- 7nm process for better efficiency
- Superior 5G performance and future-proofing
- Slower 15W wired charging
- Potentially shorter battery life
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Honor 10X Lite boasts a contrast ratio of 1260:1 and a measured peak brightness of 426 nits. While respectable, this is likely to be outmatched by the Samsung A51 5G UW, which, typical of Samsung displays, likely benefits from superior color calibration and viewing angles. The A51 5G UW’s display technology is not specified, but Samsung’s history suggests a higher-quality panel. The Honor’s contrast ratio is a good starting point, but the A51 5G UW likely offers a more vibrant and visually appealing experience, even if peak brightness is similar.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Given the market positioning, it’s unlikely either phone features a flagship-level camera system. The A51 5G UW likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more consistent and pleasing results. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Snapdragon 765G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more capable than the Kirin 710A’s, offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. We can assume both phones will include a variety of camera modes, but image quality will likely be the differentiating factor, favoring the Samsung.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor 10X Lite utilizes the Kirin 710A, a 14nm process chip with an octa-core configuration (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53). The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW, however, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, built on a more efficient 7nm process. This process node advantage translates to better thermal management and power efficiency for the Samsung device. The Snapdragon 765G’s CPU configuration (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) is architecturally superior, offering faster single-core and multi-core performance. This means the A51 5G UW will handle demanding apps and multitasking with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Honor 10X Lite shines in battery endurance, achieving a remarkable 114-hour rating. However, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW, despite having a lower specified charging rate of 15W compared to the Honor’s 22.5W, benefits from the Snapdragon 765G’s superior power efficiency. The Honor 10X Lite can reach 46% charge in 30 minutes, which is a useful quick-charge feature. While the Honor has a longer overall runtime, the A51 5G UW’s more efficient chipset mitigates the difference, and the faster charging speed of the Honor may not be enough to offset the performance gap for power users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 10X Lite if you prioritize maximizing battery life above all else and primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Its 114-hour endurance rating is a standout feature. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you value a more responsive user experience, enjoy mobile gaming, or anticipate using 5G frequently. The Snapdragon 765G provides a noticeable performance boost and a more future-proof platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 710A struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Kirin 710A is likely to struggle with graphically intensive games at higher settings. You'll likely need to lower the graphics settings and frame rate to achieve a playable experience. The Snapdragon 765G in the A51 5G UW offers a significantly smoother gaming experience.
❓ How much does the 5G connectivity impact battery life on the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW?
5G connectivity inherently consumes more power than 4G LTE. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s 7nm process helps mitigate this impact. While you’ll see a reduction in battery life when actively using 5G, the A51 5G UW’s efficient chipset should provide acceptable battery performance even with 5G enabled.
❓ Is the 22.5W charging on the Honor 10X Lite significantly faster in real-world use?
While 22.5W is faster than the A51 5G UW’s 15W, the actual difference in charging time may not be dramatic. The Honor 10X Lite reaches 46% in 30 minutes, but the overall 0-100% time isn't specified. The A51 5G UW’s more efficient power management may partially offset the slower charging speed.
