The Lenovo K13 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A51 represent different approaches to the budget smartphone market. The A51, released in 2020, has seen price drops, while the K13 Pro offers a more recent chipset. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device delivers the best value in 2024.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing display quality and brand recognition, the Samsung Galaxy A51 remains a viable option, especially at heavily discounted prices. However, the Lenovo K13 Pro offers a more modern chipset – the Snapdragon 662 – providing a performance edge for everyday tasks and light gaming, making it the better choice for those focused on responsiveness and future-proofing.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A515U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September | 2019, December 12. Released 2019, December 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 29 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 158.5 x 73.6 x 7.9 mm (6.24 x 2.90 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 172 g (6.07 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 | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
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 |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 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 | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio |
| 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 | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing
ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush Pink |
| Models | XT2129-3 | SM-A515F, SM-A515F/DSN, SM-A515F/DS, SM-A515F/DST, SM-A515F/DSM, SM-A515F/N, SM-A515U, SM-A515U1, SM-A515W, SM-A515X, SM-S515DL |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.80 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 299.99 |
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | $ 674.99 |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 211.50 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 179.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -87.3dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 86h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 113051 (v7), 175363 (v8)
GeekBench: 5401 (v4.4), 1294 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Lenovo K13 Pro
- More modern Snapdragon 662 chipset
- Potentially better thermal management
- Stronger value proposition
- Display specifications are unknown
- Camera details are lacking
Samsung Galaxy A51
- Brighter, more vibrant display (636 nits)
- Excellent 86-hour endurance rating
- Established brand reputation
- Older Exynos 9611 chipset
- Price varies significantly based on RAM
- 2MP macro camera is largely ineffective
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A51 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 636 nits, compared to the Lenovo K13 Pro’s unspecified brightness. While the K13 Pro’s display specs are missing, the A51’s higher brightness translates to better outdoor visibility. The A51 also features an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, typical of Samsung’s Super AMOLED panels, offering deeper blacks and more vivid colors. The K13 Pro likely utilizes an IPS LCD, which, while accurate, won’t match the A51’s pop. The A51’s display is a clear advantage for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking for the K13 Pro. The Samsung Galaxy A51’s camera system, while not specified in detail here, is known to include a primary sensor capable of detailed images in good lighting. However, the inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A51 is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit. Without knowing the K13 Pro’s sensor size and aperture, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison, but the A51’s established camera system provides a known quantity.
Performance
The Lenovo K13 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) and the Samsung Galaxy A51’s Exynos 9611 (10nm) represent different approaches to mid-range performance. While the Exynos 9611 features slightly higher clock speeds on its Cortex-A73 cores (2.3 GHz vs 2.0 GHz on the K13 Pro’s Kryo 260 Gold), the Snapdragon 662 benefits from a more efficient 11nm process. This translates to potentially better thermal management and sustained performance under load. The K13 Pro’s octa-core CPU configuration, while similar in core count, is architecturally newer, potentially offering improved efficiency. The A51’s price variations (from $211.50 to $674.99) suggest RAM configurations significantly impact performance, with the 4GB model likely exhibiting noticeable slowdowns.
Battery Life
Both the Lenovo K13 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A51 share a 15W wired charging capability. However, the Galaxy A51 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 86 hours, indicating excellent battery optimization. While the K13 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the A51’s proven endurance suggests it will comfortably last a full day of moderate use. The 15W charging speed on both devices is relatively slow by today’s standards, requiring over two hours for a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K13 Pro if you need a phone that feels responsive for daily tasks, enjoys slightly better performance in apps, and prioritizes value for money. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display, are heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem, and can find it at a significantly lower price point than the K13 Pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Samsung Galaxy A51 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load, particularly in graphically demanding games. While it's not a severe issue for casual gaming, extended sessions may result in reduced performance. The Lenovo K13 Pro’s Snapdragon 662, with its more efficient 11nm process, is likely to manage heat better.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A51 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro camera on the A51 is largely a marketing feature. Its low resolution and fixed focus result in images that lack detail and sharpness. It's generally better to rely on the main camera for close-up shots.
❓ Can the Lenovo K13 Pro handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at acceptable frame rates?
The Snapdragon 662 in the K13 Pro is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve smooth frame rates. Expect to play at medium settings for a balanced experience. The A51 may offer slightly higher frame rates at similar settings, but the difference is unlikely to be significant.
❓ Given the price variations for the Samsung Galaxy A51, which RAM configuration offers the best value?
The 6GB RAM variant of the Samsung Galaxy A51 is highly recommended, despite its higher price. The 4GB model is prone to slowdowns and app reloading, especially with multitasking. The 6GB model provides a much smoother and more responsive user experience.
