This comparison pits a device representing a bygone era of mobile communication – the Mitsubishi M341i/M720 – against the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G, a representative of the mid-range 5G smartphone wave. While a direct comparison seems unusual, it highlights the dramatic evolution of mobile technology and reveals where each device still holds value in today’s market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the vast majority of users, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G is the clear winner. Its 5G connectivity, significantly more powerful Exynos 980 chipset, and modern smartphone features offer a vastly superior experience. The Mitsubishi M341i/M720’s value lies in niche scenarios requiring extreme simplicity and longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-A516B/DS |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - SM-A516B/DS |
| 5G bands | - | 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-A516B/DS |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Class 8 | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A516U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2003, Q4 | 2020, April 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, April 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 96 x 47 x 24 mm, 87 cc (3.78 x 1.85 x 0.94 in) | 158.9 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.26 x 2.90 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 102 g (3.60 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 128 x 160 pixels, 10 lines | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | - | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | Super AMOLED |
| | Second external display (62 x 80 pixels), 4096 colors
Downloadable logos | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex A55) |
| Chipset | - | Exynos 980 (8 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G76 MP5 |
| OS | - | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 10 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls | - |
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 5MB | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 255 x 6 fields, Photo call | - |
| | 20 voice dial slots
2 min voice memo
100 organizer events
| UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 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 | VGA | - |
| Video | No | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | - | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Alert types | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic - (Midi, MFI, ADPCM) ringtones | - |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | No | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | - | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 1.2.1, iMode (M341i only) | - |
| Games | Yes - Demo Mox + downloadable | - |
| Java | Yes, DoJa 1.5 | - |
| Languages | English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email | - |
| Sensors | - | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Predictive text input
Voice memo/dial
Organizer
Photo editor | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 400 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h | - |
| Type | Removable Li-Po battery | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | - | Prism Cube Black, Prism Cube White, Prism Cube Pink |
| Models | - | SM-A516F, SM-A516F/DSN, SM-A516N, SM-A516B/DS, SM-A516B, SM-A516U, SC-54A, SM-A516U1, SCG07, SM-A5160 |
| Price | - | About 180 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.50 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 90h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.5 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 316007 (v8)
GeekBench: 1867(v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Mitsubishi M341i/M720
- Exceptional battery life (standby)
- Extreme durability and simplicity
- Potentially long-term off-grid usability
- Lack of modern features (5G, apps)
- Low-resolution display and camera
- Limited functionality
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G
- 5G connectivity for fast data speeds
- Powerful Exynos 980 processor
- High-brightness, vibrant display
- Versatile camera system
- 15W charging is relatively slow
- Battery life, while good, is not exceptional compared to feature phones
- May be discontinued/difficult to find new
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G boasts a 642 nit display, offering excellent visibility even outdoors, a metric the Mitsubishi M341i/M720 almost certainly cannot match. While the Mitsubishi’s display specifications are unavailable, it’s reasonable to assume a significantly lower brightness and resolution. The Galaxy A51 5G’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a modern IPS or AMOLED panel, providing vibrant colors, whereas the Mitsubishi likely utilizes an older LCD technology. The A51 5G’s larger screen size also caters to modern media consumption habits.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but the gap in technology is immense. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G likely features a multi-camera system with a higher resolution main sensor and advanced image processing algorithms. While the Mitsubishi M341i/M720 may have a camera, its resolution and image quality will be significantly lower, geared towards simple snapshots rather than detailed photography. The A51 5G’s camera system benefits from features like scene optimization and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS), absent in the older device.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G’s Exynos 980 (8nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU with Cortex-A77 and A55 cores, represents a substantial leap in processing power compared to the Mitsubishi M341i/M720. The Exynos 980’s integrated 5G modem provides access to next-generation network speeds, a feature entirely absent in the older Mitsubishi. Given the M341i/M720’s age, its processor is likely optimized for basic call and text functions, lacking the capabilities for demanding applications or multitasking. The 8nm process node of the Exynos 980 also implies better power efficiency, contributing to the A51 5G’s 90-hour endurance rating.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G achieves an impressive 90-hour endurance rating, indicating excellent battery life despite its 5G connectivity and powerful processor. Its 15W wired charging is standard for its class. The Mitsubishi M341i/M720, lacking detailed specifications, likely prioritizes extremely long standby time due to its simpler functionality and less power-hungry components. However, its charging technology is likely outdated and slower than the A51 5G’s.
Buying Guide
Buy the Mitsubishi M341i/M720 if you need a durable, extremely long-lasting device for basic communication, prioritizing simplicity and potentially extended off-grid usability. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G if you prioritize connectivity, multimedia consumption, app access, and the versatility of a modern smartphone operating system, especially benefiting from 5G network speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 980 chip in the Galaxy A51 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 980 is a relatively efficient chip. While it can get warm during extended gaming, it’s unlikely to experience significant thermal throttling, especially given the A51 5G’s plastic construction which aids in heat dissipation. However, demanding titles at maximum settings may lead to some performance reduction over time.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Galaxy A51 5G actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
The 2MP macro camera on the Galaxy A51 5G is a common inclusion in this price range, but its image quality is often limited by the low resolution sensor. While it can capture close-up shots, the detail and clarity will be significantly lower than those taken with the main camera. It's best used in well-lit conditions and for casual snapshots.
❓ How long will the battery on the Mitsubishi M341i/M720 last on a single charge with minimal use (calls and texts)?
Given its simple functionality and lack of power-hungry features, the Mitsubishi M341i/M720 could potentially last for several days, even a week or more, on a single charge with minimal use. Its primary advantage lies in its extremely low power consumption in standby mode.
