The Huawei nova 5z and Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at a more accessible price point, they achieve this through different approaches to chipset design and feature prioritization. This comparison dissects the core differences between the Kirin 810-powered nova 5z and the Snapdragon 765G-equipped A51 5G UW, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw processing power and potentially more efficient multitasking, the Huawei nova 5z edges out the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW thanks to the Kirin 810’s Cortex-A76 cores. However, the A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G offers a more mature 5G modem and broader software support, making it the better choice for those heavily reliant on 5G connectivity and ecosystem integration.
| 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 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 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 | 2019, October. Released 2019, November | 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | 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 (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 | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | 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, (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 | SPN-AL00, SPN-TL00 | 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) |
Huawei nova 5z
- Faster 20W wired charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially stronger CPU performance with the Kirin 810’s Cortex-A76 cores.
- May offer a more streamlined user experience for those not invested in the Samsung ecosystem.
- Potential software limitations due to Huawei’s ecosystem challenges.
- 5G modem may not be as mature or widely supported as Qualcomm’s.
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- More reliable 5G connectivity with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G modem.
- Seamless integration with the Samsung ecosystem of devices and services.
- Wider software support and updates.
- Slower 15W wired charging.
- Potentially less powerful CPU performance compared to the Kirin 810.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are unavailable, both likely utilize IPS LCD technology common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on display quality, but rather on the underlying processing power needed to drive more complex display features. The absence of high refresh rates on either device suggests a prioritization of battery life over visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely employ multi-camera systems with standard wide, ultrawide, and depth sensors. The image processing style will be a key differentiator – Huawei typically favors vibrant, saturated colors, while Samsung leans towards more natural tones. The Snapdragon 765G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is known for its strong computational photography capabilities, potentially giving the A51 5G UW an edge in low-light scenarios. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) makes it impossible to assess video recording stability.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei nova 5z’s Kirin 810 (7nm) features a dual-cluster CPU configuration with two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.27 GHz, paired with six efficiency-focused Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture is designed for strong single-core and multi-core performance. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm), employing a Kryo 475 Prime, Kryo 475 Gold, and Kryo 475 Silver configuration. While the Snapdragon 765G’s prime core reaches 2.4 GHz, the Kirin 810’s A76 cores are generally considered more efficient and powerful. This translates to potentially faster app loading and smoother multitasking on the nova 5z. However, the Snapdragon 765G benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and modem integration, particularly crucial for 5G performance.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s 15W charging is noticeably slower than the Huawei nova 5z’s 20W wired charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the nova 5z will result in quicker top-ups. The Snapdragon 765G’s power efficiency could partially offset the slower charging, but the Kirin 810’s architecture is also designed for efficiency. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns and 5G signal strength.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 5z if you need a phone that excels in CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or demanding mobile games, and are comfortable with the potential limitations of Huawei’s ecosystem. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you prioritize reliable 5G connectivity, a wider range of software features, and seamless integration with other Samsung devices and services.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the Huawei nova 5z experience significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 810 is a capable chipset, throttling can occur under sustained load. The 7nm process helps mitigate this, but without specific thermal testing data, it's difficult to quantify. Users engaging in prolonged gaming should expect some performance degradation over time.
❓ How does the 5G performance of the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW compare to other Snapdragon 765G-powered devices?
The A51 5G UW’s 5G performance is generally on par with other devices utilizing the Snapdragon 765G. However, actual speeds will vary significantly based on carrier network conditions and signal strength. The 'UW' designation indicates support for millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G, offering potentially faster speeds in areas with mmWave infrastructure.
❓ Is the lack of OIS in either phone a major drawback for video recording?
The absence of OIS will result in less stable video footage, particularly when shooting handheld. While software stabilization can help, it's not a substitute for hardware-based OIS. Users prioritizing video recording quality may want to consider phones with OIS.
