The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor Play5 5G and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW are two strong contenders. Both offer 5G connectivity and a range of features, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Honor Play5 5G takes the lead with its significantly faster 66W charging and a generally more powerful chipset. However, the Galaxy A71 5G UW boasts Samsung's reliable software and a potentially better display. It depends on your priorities: speed vs. ecosystem.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 18 | 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 26 | Available. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 74.8 x 7.5 mm (6.36 x 2.94 x 0.30 in) | 162.8 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Schott Xensation Up | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, HDR10 | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 4.0, no Google Play Services | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 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 | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3800 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Violet, Light Blue | Prism Bricks Black |
| Models | HJC-AN90 | SM-A716V |
| Price | About 270 EUR | - |
| SAR | - | 0.50 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
Honor Play5 5G
- Significantly faster charging (66W)
- More powerful chipset (Dimensity 800U)
- Generally better value for money
- 5G Connectivity
- LCD display (potentially less vibrant)
- Software may lack Samsung's polish
- Camera versatility may be less than A71
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
- Super AMOLED display (vibrant colors)
- Samsung's One UI software (polished experience)
- Versatile camera system (potentially)
- 5G Connectivity
- Slower charging (25W)
- Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 765G)
- Higher price point
- Can be slower than Honor in gaming
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW typically features a Super AMOLED display, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks, often with a 90Hz refresh rate. The Honor Play5 5G likely has an LCD display, which may offer good color accuracy but lacks the same contrast as AMOLED. Samsung's display often wins in terms of visual appeal.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A71 5G UW often has a more versatile camera system, potentially including a dedicated ultrawide lens and macro lens. While the Honor Play5 5G's camera is capable, the A71 5G UW's software processing and wider lens options often result in more diverse and higher-quality photos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Both offer decent video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Honor Play5 5G's Dimensity 800U chipset generally outperforms the Snapdragon 765G in the Galaxy A71 5G UW, especially in gaming. The Dimensity 800U's architecture and newer manufacturing process provide a noticeable edge in raw processing power. However, Samsung's software optimization can sometimes mitigate this difference.
Battery Life
The Honor Play5 5G's 66W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The Galaxy A71 5G UW's 25W charging is considerably slower. Both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 4000-4500mAh), but the Honor's charging speed makes a significant difference in daily usage.
Buying Guide
The Honor Play5 5G is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging, gaming performance, and value for money. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW is a better choice for those deeply invested in the Samsung ecosystem, preferring a polished software experience, and valuing a potentially superior display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Honor Play5 5G generally offers better gaming performance due to its more powerful Dimensity 800U chipset.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW worth the extra cost?
It depends. If you prioritize a vibrant display, Samsung's software, and a versatile camera, then yes. Otherwise, the Honor Play5 5G provides excellent value for money.
