The Oppo A5 4G and Samsung Galaxy A21s represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their approach to performance, battery endurance, and charging technology. This comparison dissects these differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-lasting battery life and fast charging, the Oppo A5 4G emerges as the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 6s Gen1 chipset, coupled with a remarkable 64:03h endurance rating and 45W charging, significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A21s' 119h endurance and 15W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - version 1 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - version 1 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, May 15 | 2020, May 15. Released 2020, June 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, May 15 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.31 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 | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM-6115 Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen1 (11 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 15, ColorOS 15 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP, f/2.4, (wide) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes, (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 33W PPS, 13.5W PD, 50% in 36 min | 15W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Purple, Aurora Green, Mist White | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | CPH2727 | SM-A217F, SM-A217F/DS, SM-A217F/DSN, SM-A217M, SM-A217M/DS, SM-A217N |
| Price | About 150 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) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 64:03h endurance, 1600 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class A | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Oppo A5 4G
- Exceptional battery life (64:03h endurance)
- Ultra-fast 45W charging with multiple protocols
- More powerful Snapdragon 6s Gen1 chipset
- Display specifications are unknown
- Camera details are limited
Samsung Galaxy A21s
- Slightly brighter display (490 nits)
- 8nm Exynos 850 chipset offers good efficiency
- Widely available and established brand
- Significantly lower battery endurance (119h)
- Slow 15W charging
- Less powerful CPU for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A21s boasts a measured peak brightness of 490 nits and a 1287:1 contrast ratio, offering a reasonably vibrant viewing experience. However, the Oppo A5 4G’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. Given the A21s’ contrast ratio is listed as both 1287:1 nominal and measured, it suggests a lack of advanced panel technology. The A21s’ brightness is adequate for indoor use, but may struggle in direct sunlight. Without Oppo A5 4G display specs, we can only assume it's a comparable, if not slightly less bright, panel.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A21s is likely to offer limited practical benefit due to its low resolution. The A5 4G’s camera performance remains unknown, but the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) capabilities could potentially offer better image quality than the A21s’ Exynos 850 ISP.
Performance
The Oppo A5 4G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen1 (11nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU with Cortex-A73 and A53 cores clocked at 2.1 GHz and 1.8 GHz respectively, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A21s’ Exynos 850 (8nm). The Exynos 850 utilizes only Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz, indicating a focus on efficiency rather than raw power. The 11nm process node of the Snapdragon 6s Gen1 is less efficient than the 8nm Exynos 850, but the architectural differences in the CPU cores give the Oppo phone an edge in demanding tasks. The Snapdragon’s A73 cores are significantly more powerful than the A21s’ A55 cores, translating to faster app loading and smoother multitasking.
Battery Life
The Oppo A5 4G dominates in battery endurance with a remarkable 64:03h rating, supported by 1600 charge cycles, suggesting long-term battery health. This is a substantial improvement over the Samsung Galaxy A21s’ 119h endurance. Furthermore, the A5 4G supports 45W wired charging, 33W PPS, and 13.5W PD, allowing it to reach 50% charge in just 36 minutes. In contrast, the A21s is limited to 15W wired charging, resulting in a significantly slower charging experience. The A5 4G’s superior charging speed and endurance make it the clear choice for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A5 4G if you need exceptional battery life, rapid charging, and a more modern chipset for smoother multitasking. This phone is ideal for users who are frequently on the go and rely heavily on their smartphone throughout the day. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A21s if you prioritize a slightly brighter display and are less concerned with charging speed or sustained performance under load. It's a reasonable choice for basic smartphone tasks and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Samsung Galaxy A21s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850 is designed for efficiency, not peak performance. While it won't generate excessive heat, it may exhibit thermal throttling during extended gaming, leading to reduced frame rates and a less smooth experience. The Oppo A5 4G's Snapdragon 6s Gen1, while less efficient, has a more capable CPU that may handle sustained loads slightly better.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A21s actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget smartphones offer limited practical benefit. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While it can capture close-up shots, the quality is unlikely to be significantly better than using the main camera in standard mode with digital zoom.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Oppo A5 4G from 0% to 100%?
While the Oppo A5 4G reaches 50% charge in 36 minutes, a full charge from 0% to 100% will take approximately 1 hour and 15-20 minutes using the 45W charger. The charging speed slows down as the battery approaches full capacity to protect battery health.
❓ Will the Oppo A5 4G's battery hold its charge well after a year of use, considering the 1600 charge cycles?
The 1600 charge cycle rating suggests excellent long-term battery health. This means the battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its original capacity even after being fully charged and discharged 1600 times. You can expect the Oppo A5 4G to maintain good battery performance for several years with typical usage.
