The Samsung Galaxy A21s and LG Q51 represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a low price point, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware, particularly in chipset design. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A21s emerges as the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the LG Q51’s 12nm Helio P22, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While battery endurance is identical, the A21s’s 15W charging offers a slight convenience edge.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 25. Released 2020, February 26 | 2020, May 15. Released 2020, June 02 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm (6.48 x 3.05 x 0.33 in) | 163.7 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 105.5 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4/6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frozen White, Moonlight Titanium | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | LM-Q510N | SM-A217F, SM-A217F/DS, SM-A217F/DSN, SM-A217M, SM-A217M/DS, SM-A217N |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 119h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1287:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.0 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 107157 (v8)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG Q51
- Potentially lower price point
- Identical battery endurance to A21s
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Less powerful Helio P22 chipset
- Less efficient 12nm manufacturing process
- Likely slower charging speeds
Samsung Galaxy A21s
- More powerful and efficient Exynos 850 chipset
- 8nm manufacturing process for better thermal management
- 15W fast charging support
- Slightly higher price compared to LG Q51
- Similar battery endurance to Q51 despite faster charging
- May include unnecessary 2MP macro camera
Display Comparison
Both the LG Q51 and Samsung Galaxy A21s share a contrast ratio of 1287:1, suggesting similar levels of black depth and color vibrancy. However, the Galaxy A21s boasts a measured peak brightness of 490 nits, which will provide better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight compared to the Q51, whose brightness is not specified. While both likely utilize LCD panels, the A21s’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, given the market positioning, it’s safe to assume both feature basic camera setups. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. The A21s likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more refined images, but this is speculative. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A21s is unlikely to be a significant selling point, as image quality from such sensors is typically limited.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A21s’s Exynos 850, fabricated on an 8nm process, is significantly more efficient than the LG Q51’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Exynos 850 utilizes a combination of Cortex-A55 cores, offering improved single-core performance and efficiency compared to the Q51’s Cortex-A53 cores. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the A21s. The 8nm process also implies better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained use.
Battery Life
Both the LG Q51 and Samsung Galaxy A21s achieve an endurance rating of 119 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the A21s supports 15W wired charging, while the Q51’s charging speed is not specified. This means the A21s will likely recharge significantly faster, offering a convenience advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG Q51 if your primary need is a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and you prioritize minimizing upfront cost. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A21s if you value a more fluid user experience, occasional gaming, and a slightly more future-proofed platform, even if it means a modest price increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A21s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is designed for efficiency. While it won't deliver flagship-level gaming performance, it's less prone to overheating than the Helio P22 in the Q51, which uses a less efficient 12nm process. Expect manageable temperatures during moderate gaming, but demanding titles may still cause some throttling.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A21s worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited image quality. The small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization result in soft, noisy images. While it can be fun to experiment with close-up shots, don't expect professional-level results. It's more of a feature for casual use than serious photography.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A21s with the 15W charger?
While a precise 0-100% charge time isn't available, the 15W charging on the A21s will likely take around 2-3 hours for a full charge. This is significantly faster than the LG Q51, which lacks specified fast charging capabilities and will likely take considerably longer.
