The Honor 30i 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 diverge significantly in their underlying hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and overall user experience to determine which device offers the most bang for your buck.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset, built on a more efficient 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Honor 30i’s Kirin 710F, despite the slower 15W charging.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 11. Released 2020, September 12 | 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157.2 x 73.2 x 7.7 mm (6.19 x 2.88 x 0.30 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 | 171.5 g (6.07 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~418 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 600 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 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 710F (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 2.1 | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM 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/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 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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 | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 672 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ultraviolet Sunset, Turquoise, Midnight Black | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | LRA-LX1 | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 200 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) |
Honor 30i
- Potentially lower initial cost
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- May offer a more compact form factor (unconfirmed)
- Less powerful Kirin 710F chipset
- Slower 10W charging
- Less efficient 12nm process
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- More powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset
- Faster 15W charging
- More efficient 7nm process
- Potentially higher price point
- May have a larger footprint
- LCD display isn't as vibrant as AMOLED
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and resolution are missing for the Honor 30i, suggesting a standard LCD panel. The Galaxy A51 5G UW also utilizes an LCD, but benefits from Samsung’s color science. The real difference lies in processing power; the Snapdragon 765G’s image signal processor (ISP) will likely contribute to slightly better image processing from the front camera, even if the sensors are similar. Bezels are expected to be comparable on both devices, typical for this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s ISP provides a computational photography advantage to the Galaxy A51 5G UW. The ISP handles image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range optimization. While the Honor 30i may have a comparable megapixel count, the Snapdragon’s processing capabilities will likely result in more detailed and vibrant images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device is unknown, but would be a significant advantage for video recording and low-light photography.
Performance
The core differentiator here is the chipset. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm) significantly outperforms the Honor 30i’s Kirin 710F (12nm). The 7nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved thermal efficiency, translating to sustained performance under load. The Snapdragon 765G’s CPU configuration – a prime core, gold core, and silver cores – is designed for optimized power consumption and responsiveness. The Kirin 710F, while an octa-core processor, lacks the architectural sophistication and efficiency of the Snapdragon. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding applications like games and during heavy multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the Honor 30i, but given its market positioning, it’s likely comparable to the Galaxy A51 5G UW. However, the charging speeds differ significantly: 15W for the Samsung versus 10W for the Honor. While a larger battery capacity doesn’t always equate to longer battery life (efficiency matters), the faster charging on the Samsung is a tangible benefit. The Snapdragon 765G’s 7nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting any capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 30i if you prioritize a lower initial cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. The Kirin 710F is sufficient for these workloads. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you value smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and the benefits of a more modern and efficient chipset, even if it means spending a bit more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Kirin 710F struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Kirin 710F will likely require significantly reduced graphics settings and frame rates to achieve playable performance in demanding games like PUBG Mobile. The Snapdragon 765G in the A51 5G UW offers a much smoother gaming experience with higher settings.
❓ How much faster is the 5G connectivity on the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW compared to 4G?
The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW supports Sub-6 5G, offering significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G LTE, *when connected to a 5G network*. Actual speeds will vary based on network coverage and congestion, but users can expect several times faster speeds than 4G.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Honor 30i noticeably slower than the 15W charging on the Samsung?
Yes, the difference between 10W and 15W charging is noticeable. Expect a significantly longer 0-100% charge time on the Honor 30i. The Samsung A51 5G UW will top up much faster, reducing downtime.
