The Infinix S5 and Samsung Galaxy A50s represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this. The S5 focuses on affordability, while the A50s attempts to balance features with a more refined experience. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and a more polished software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A50s is the better choice. Its Exynos 9611 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Infinix S5’s Helio P22, making it more capable for multitasking and demanding applications. However, the S5 remains a viable option for basic users on a very tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October 15. Released 2019, October | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 158.5 x 74.5 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 2.93 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 102.1 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 14mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (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 (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | 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 |
| Type | 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Quetzal Cyan, Violet | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 |
| Models | X652 | SM-A507F, SM-A507FN, SM-A5070 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 154761 (v7)
GeekBench: 5295 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix S5
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Potentially longer battery life with light usage
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the A50s
- Likely inferior camera quality
- Slower charging speeds
Samsung Galaxy A50s
- Much faster and more responsive performance
- Better camera capabilities with improved image processing
- Faster 15W wired charging
- Higher price compared to the Infinix S5
- May experience some thermal throttling under heavy load
- LCD display isn't as vibrant as AMOLED alternatives
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific display specs like brightness and color accuracy are unavailable for the Infinix S5, its market positioning suggests a standard LCD panel. The Samsung Galaxy A50s, similarly, utilizes an LCD, but Samsung’s display expertise likely results in better color reproduction and viewing angles. The real difference lies in the processing power driving the display; the A50s’ more powerful chipset can handle smoother animations and transitions, contributing to a more fluid visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is another area where the Galaxy A50s holds a clear advantage. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, the A50s benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms and potentially a larger primary sensor (specs unavailable for S5). The S5’s camera system is likely geared towards providing acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but will struggle in low-light scenarios. The A50s, with its more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Exynos 9611, can capture more detailed images with better dynamic range and noise reduction. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A50s’ Exynos 9611, built on a 10nm process, features a combination of four 2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 cores and four 1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This contrasts sharply with the Infinix S5’s Mediatek Helio P22, which utilizes eight 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The A73 cores in the A50s are significantly more powerful than the A53 cores found in both devices, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 10nm process of the Exynos 9611 also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially leading to longer battery life under load. The Helio P22, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While the exact battery capacity of the Infinix S5 is unknown, the Samsung Galaxy A50s features 15W wired charging. This faster charging speed allows the A50s to replenish its battery more quickly than the S5, which likely supports slower charging. The Exynos 9611’s 10nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting any capacity difference between the two devices. Users who frequently use their phones for gaming or video streaming will likely appreciate the A50s’ faster charging and potentially longer sustained performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix S5 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. You'll be sacrificing performance and camera quality for the lowest possible price. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A50s if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, better camera capabilities, and faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more. It’s ideal for users who want a phone that can handle everyday tasks with ease and offer a more enjoyable multimedia experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy A50s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 9611 is a capable chipset, it is known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained heavy load, such as extended gaming. However, it's unlikely to reach critical temperatures that cause performance degradation for typical gaming sessions. The throttling will result in a slight performance dip, but the phone shouldn't become uncomfortably hot.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the Infinix S5 and Samsung Galaxy A50s are largely marketing features. The low resolution and lack of autofocus result in images that are often soft, lacking in detail, and generally underwhelming. They are unlikely to provide a significant improvement over using the main camera in close-up mode.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A50s reliably run PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
The Samsung Galaxy A50s can run PUBG Mobile, but achieving a consistent 60fps experience will depend on the graphics settings. Lowering the graphics settings to 'Smooth' or 'Balanced' should allow for a stable 60fps framerate. However, using higher settings may result in frame drops and stuttering.
