Both the HTC Desire 20+ and the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent attempts to deliver 5G connectivity to the mid-range market. However, they approach this goal with different chipsets and priorities. The Desire 20+ focuses on a streamlined experience with the Snapdragon 720G, while the A51 5G UW leverages the more powerful Snapdragon 765G, aiming for a broader feature set. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 765G offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Desire 20+'s 720G, and while both share 15W charging, the A51's broader feature set justifies the potential price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE, Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 19. Released 2020, October 22 | 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 75.7 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.98 x 0.35 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 | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% 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 (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | 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 | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired, QC4 | 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 | Dawn Orange, Twilight Black, Blue | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 250 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) |
HTC Desire 20+
- Potentially cleaner software experience (HTC's history)
- Slightly lower price point (likely)
- Efficient Snapdragon 720G for basic tasks
- Less powerful chipset compared to the A51 5G UW
- 8nm process may lead to more thermal throttling
- Likely slower app loading and multitasking
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- More powerful Snapdragon 765G for better performance
- 7nm process for improved efficiency and reduced throttling
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Wider feature set (likely)
- Potentially higher price
- Samsung's One UI can be resource-intensive
- 15W charging is relatively slow
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood: processing power impacts UI smoothness. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable, the A51 5G UW's more capable GPU can contribute to a more responsive visual experience, especially during scrolling and animations. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the mid-range positioning of both phones.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the A51 5G UW likely benefits from Samsung’s more refined image processing algorithms. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the A51 5G UW’s chipset has a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) capable of handling more complex image processing tasks, resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The presence of a dedicated 'Prime' core in the 765G also aids in faster image capture and processing speeds. We can assume both phones include standard wide, ultrawide, and depth sensors, but the A51 5G UW is likely to deliver more consistently pleasing results.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G, fabricated on a 7nm process, offers a clear advantage over the HTC Desire 20+'s Snapdragon 720G (8nm). The 765G features a Kryo 475 Prime core alongside a Kryo 475 Gold core, providing a performance boost in single-core tasks and a more substantial advantage in multi-core workloads. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the A51 5G UW. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained use. Both phones share 6GB of RAM, but the superior chipset in the A51 5G UW will utilize it more effectively.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 15W wired charging, a relatively slow standard in today’s market. Battery capacity is unspecified, but the Snapdragon 765G in the A51 5G UW, despite being more powerful, is also more efficient due to its 7nm fabrication process. This efficiency could partially offset any potential battery capacity difference. Expect both phones to deliver a full day of moderate use, but the A51 5G UW’s more efficient chipset may provide a slight edge in longevity, especially during demanding tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Desire 20+ if you prioritize a clean software experience and are comfortable with slightly less processing power for everyday tasks. It's a solid option for users who primarily browse, stream, and use social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you want a more versatile device capable of handling demanding apps, moderate gaming, and benefit from the slightly more advanced chipset for longer-term usability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the A51 5G UW handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significantly better experience than the Snapdragon 720G in the Desire 20+, especially during prolonged gaming sessions due to its superior thermal management.
❓ Is the 15W charging speed on both phones a significant drawback in 2024?
Yes, 15W charging is relatively slow compared to the 25W, 45W, or even 65W charging speeds offered by many modern smartphones. Expect a full charge to take over two hours. This is a compromise made to keep the price point down, but it's a noticeable inconvenience for users accustomed to faster charging technologies.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
The Snapdragon 765G supports carrier aggregation, which allows the phone to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more reliable data speeds. This is a key advantage for users in areas with strong 5G coverage, as it can significantly improve download and upload speeds.
