The Huawei Mate 30 Lite and the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent compelling options in the mid-range 5G smartphone space, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Mate 30 Lite, leveraging Huawei’s Kirin 810, aims for a balance of performance and affordability, while the A51 5G UW, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, focuses on 5G connectivity and a broader software ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a more established software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW emerges as the better choice. While the Huawei Mate 30 Lite offers faster 20W charging, the Snapdragon 765G’s superior CPU architecture and Qualcomm’s 5G modem provide a smoother, more reliable experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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 | Not announced yet | 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 156.1 x 73.9 x 8.3 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.33 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 | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~83.4% 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 (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB 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/2.2, 13mm (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 | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 672 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Aurora, Emerald Green | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | SPL-AL00, SPL-TL00 | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 400 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) |
Huawei Mate 30 Lite
- Faster 20W wired charging
- Potentially more efficient Kirin 810 chipset
- Competitive price point
- EMUI software may not appeal to all users
- Potential lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS)
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G offers better CPU performance
- Established Android ecosystem with full GMS support
- Optimized 5G connectivity
- Slower 15W wired charging
- May be slightly more expensive than the Mate 30 Lite
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like OLED vs. LCD) are missing, both likely utilize LCD technology common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on display quality, but rather on the underlying processing power to drive it. Bezels are expected to be similar, typical of mid-range phones. Color accuracy is likely to be adequate for everyday use, but not geared towards professional content creation.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the image processing capabilities of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon ISP are generally considered more mature and versatile than Huawei’s. While Huawei is known for its computational photography, the A51 5G UW likely offers a more balanced and natural image profile. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests a reliance on software stabilization, potentially impacting low-light performance. The usefulness of any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either phone is questionable, offering minimal benefit over software-based solutions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) employs a tri-cluster CPU configuration – 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver – offering a more refined performance hierarchy than the Huawei Mate 30 Lite’s Kirin 810. The Kirin 810 (7nm) uses a dual-cluster setup: 2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55. While both are 7nm chips, Qualcomm’s Kryo cores generally exhibit better single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and UI navigation. The Snapdragon 765G also benefits from Qualcomm’s Adreno 620 GPU, likely providing a more consistent gaming experience than the Kirin 810’s Mali-G52 MP6. The A51 5G UW’s LPDDR4X RAM complements the Snapdragon, ensuring smooth multitasking.
Battery Life
The Huawei Mate 30 Lite’s 20W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s 15W charging. This translates to significantly faster top-up times. However, battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. Assuming similar capacities (around 4000-4500 mAh), the Mate 30 Lite will reach 100% faster. The Snapdragon 765G’s power efficiency, however, might offset the charging speed difference in real-world usage, potentially leading to comparable all-day battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Mate 30 Lite if you need a phone with faster wired charging and are comfortable with Huawei’s EMUI software. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their battery and aren’t heavily reliant on Google Mobile Services. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you prefer a more mainstream Android experience, benefit from Qualcomm’s optimized 5G connectivity, and prioritize sustained performance for gaming and multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the Mate 30 Lite experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Kirin 810, while capable, is known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load. While it can handle moderate gaming, demanding titles at high settings for prolonged periods may lead to performance drops as the chip heats up. The Snapdragon 765G in the A51 5G UW generally manages thermals more effectively.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity differ between the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW and the Huawei Mate 30 Lite?
The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW utilizes Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X55 5G modem, known for its broad 5G band support and compatibility with various 5G networks, including mmWave (UW). The Huawei Mate 30 Lite’s 5G modem specifications are less clear, and it may have limited support for certain 5G bands, potentially impacting connectivity in some regions. The A51 5G UW offers a more future-proof 5G experience.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei Mate 30 Lite a major drawback for most users?
For users heavily reliant on Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps, the absence of GMS on the Mate 30 Lite is a significant limitation. While Huawei offers its own app ecosystem (AppGallery) and workarounds for installing some Google apps, the experience isn’t seamless and may require technical expertise.
