Both the Motorola One Vision Plus and the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent attempts to bring 5G connectivity to a more accessible price point. However, they take drastically different approaches under the hood. The Motorola prioritizes a clean software experience and a focus on core functionality, while the Samsung aims for broader feature sets and a more powerful chipset. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Motorola’s Snapdragon 665, translating to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a better gaming experience. While both share 15W charging, the A51 5G UW’s processing power justifies the price difference.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 600/100 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 10. Released 2020, July 13 | 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 | 158.4 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.24 x 2.98 x 0.36 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.5% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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 | - | 5 MP, AF |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), dedicated video camera (1080p)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 25 MP, f/2.0, 0.9µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps | 4K@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, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 672 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cosmic Blue, Crystal Pink | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 170 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) |
Motorola One Vision Plus
- Clean Android experience with minimal bloatware
- Potentially longer standby time due to less power-hungry chipset
- More affordable price point (likely)
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the A51 5G UW
- Less capable camera processing
- Limited gaming capabilities
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- Superior performance with the Snapdragon 765G
- More advanced camera ISP for better image quality
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Samsung’s One UI can be bloated with pre-installed apps
- Potentially shorter battery life due to more powerful chipset
- Higher price compared to the Motorola One Vision Plus
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness in nits or color gamut coverage) are unavailable, the focus here is on the underlying processing power impacting display responsiveness. The A51 5G UW’s more powerful GPU can drive a smoother user interface and potentially handle higher refresh rate content more effectively, even if the panels themselves are similar in resolution and technology. Bezels are likely comparable given the market segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor size information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced than the 665’s, offering superior image processing capabilities. This translates to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, the A51 5G UW’s ISP will extract more detail and clarity from its sensors. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the A51 5G UW, if equipped, would further enhance image and video quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G, fabricated on a 7nm process, is a significant step up from the Motorola One Vision Plus’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 765G’s Kryo 475 Prime core at 2.4GHz provides a substantial single-core performance advantage, crucial for responsive app launches. The 765G also features a more capable Adreno 620 GPU, offering a far superior gaming experience compared to the Adreno 506 in the 665. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. The A51 5G UW will handle multitasking and demanding apps with considerably more ease.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 15W wired charging, meaning charging speeds will be comparable – expect around 2-3 hours for a full charge. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 765G’s improved power efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery in the A51 5G UW. However, the 665’s lower power draw might result in slightly longer standby times. Real-world battery life will heavily depend on usage patterns, but the A51 5G UW’s more efficient chipset gives it an edge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola One Vision Plus if you prioritize a streamlined Android experience, minimal bloatware, and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you demand better performance for gaming, video editing, or running demanding applications, and value the broader feature set and 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the A51 5G UW overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 765G is designed with thermal efficiency in mind, and its 7nm process helps mitigate overheating. While some throttling is possible during prolonged, demanding gaming, the A51 5G UW is generally well-equipped to handle gaming without significant performance drops, unlike the Snapdragon 665 which will throttle much more readily.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the A51 5G UW actually useful, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with robust 5G infrastructure, you'll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G LTE. However, if 5G coverage is limited, the benefit will be minimal. The A51 5G UW is future-proofed for 5G, but its immediate value depends on your network access.
❓ Does the Motorola One Vision Plus receive regular software updates?
Motorola's software update track record is historically slower than Samsung's. While the One Vision Plus launched with a relatively clean Android experience, it may receive fewer and slower updates compared to the A51 5G UW, potentially impacting security and feature availability over time.
