The Huawei nova 6 SE 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 palatable price, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, primarily through chipset choice and charging implementation. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and significantly faster charging, the Huawei nova 6 SE emerges as the winner. Its Kirin 810 chipset and 40W charging offer a noticeable advantage over the Snapdragon 765G and 15W charging of the Galaxy A51 5G UW, making it ideal for gamers and power users.
| 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 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 | 159.2 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 3.00 x 0.34 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 | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~83.5% 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 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB 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 | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 386 h (2G) / Up to 386 h (3G) | Up to 672 h |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 11 h (3G) | Up to 5 h |
| Type | Li-Po 4200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Emerald Green, Light Pink/Blue | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | JNY-AL10, JNY-TL10 | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 280 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 6 SE
- Significantly faster 40W charging
- Potentially stronger CPU performance with Kirin 810
- Likely better sustained performance in gaming
- Potential software concerns due to Huawei's restrictions
- May lack Google Mobile Services (GMS)
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- Access to Google Mobile Services (GMS)
- Samsung’s established software ecosystem
- Potentially more refined camera software
- Slower 15W charging
- Less powerful chipset compared to Kirin 810
- Potentially lower gaming performance
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a flagship-level display, but both are adequate for their price point. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are not provided, the focus here is on performance. The absence of high refresh rate panels on either device is notable, suggesting a focus on battery life over visual fluidity. The real difference lies in the underlying processing power needed to drive a more complex display, where the Kirin 810 might have a slight edge in handling potential future software enhancements.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, both phones likely target a similar consumer base, prioritizing versatility over outright image quality. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and optical image stabilization (OIS) suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. Image processing philosophies differ between Huawei and Samsung; Huawei typically leans towards more saturated and contrast-rich images, while Samsung aims for a more natural look. The Snapdragon 765G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally well-regarded, but the Kirin 810’s ISP is also capable, and software optimization will play a crucial role in determining the final image quality.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei nova 6 SE’s Kirin 810 (7nm) features a dual-cluster CPU configuration with 2x 2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x 1.88 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture prioritizes performance for demanding tasks. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm) with a tri-cluster setup: 1x 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x 2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x 1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver. While the Snapdragon 765G’s prime core has a higher clock speed, the Kirin 810’s Cortex-A76 cores are generally considered more efficient and powerful than the Kryo 475 Gold cores. This translates to a likely advantage for the nova 6 SE in sustained performance and gaming. The Snapdragon 765G benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and modem integration, but the Kirin 810’s raw CPU power is likely superior.
Battery Life
The battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but the charging wattage is a significant differentiator. The Huawei nova 6 SE’s 40W wired charging is a substantial advantage, allowing for a significantly faster 0-100% charge time compared to the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s 15W charging. Even with a slightly smaller battery, the nova 6 SE’s faster charging can mitigate range anxiety. The Snapdragon 765G is known for its relatively efficient power consumption, but the difference in charging speed is too significant to ignore.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 6 SE if you need a phone that can handle demanding games and applications with relative ease, and if minimizing charging time is a priority. Its 40W charging is a game-changer in this price bracket. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you prefer the Samsung ecosystem, a more widely available software experience (with Google services), and a potentially more refined camera experience, accepting a trade-off in processing power and charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Huawei nova 6 SE suffer from significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 810 is a capable chipset, throttling can occur in any smartphone during prolonged intensive tasks. However, the 7nm process node and Huawei’s thermal management solutions likely mitigate throttling better than some competitors in this price range. Real-world testing would be needed for a definitive answer, but the Kirin 810’s architecture suggests reasonable sustained performance.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei nova 6 SE a dealbreaker for most users?
The absence of GMS is a significant consideration. Users heavily reliant on Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps will find workarounds necessary, such as using the Huawei AppGallery and third-party app stores. However, many popular apps have alternative versions available, and the Huawei ecosystem is continually expanding. The impact depends entirely on individual app usage.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 765G in the Galaxy A51 5G UW handle 5G connectivity compared to the Kirin 810?
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon modems are generally considered industry-leading for 5G connectivity. The Snapdragon 765G integrates a 5G modem directly into the chipset, offering efficient and reliable 5G performance. While the Kirin 810 also supports 5G, Qualcomm’s modem technology often provides broader compatibility and potentially faster speeds, depending on carrier infrastructure.
