The Oppo A91 and Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent distinct approaches to the mid-range 5G market. The A91 prioritizes fast charging and a potentially lower price point, while the A51 5G UW leverages Qualcomm's 5G expertise and a more modern chipset. This comparison dissects their core differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset, built on a 7nm process, offers a significant performance advantage over the Oppo A91’s Helio P70, despite the A91’s faster 20W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December 20. Released 2019, December | 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 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 | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~408 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.4 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771V Helio P70 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, ColorOS 11 | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP B/W, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm
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 |
| Single | - | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, 50% in 30 min | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 672 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h |
| Type | Li-Po 4025 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lightening Black, Unicorn White, Blazing Blue, Red | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | PCPM00, CPH2001, CPH2021 | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 200 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) |
Oppo A91
- Faster 20W charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Less powerful Helio P70 chipset
- Less efficient 12nm process
- Likely inferior 5G performance
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- More powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset
- More efficient 7nm process
- Better 5G connectivity
- Likely superior image processing
- Slower 15W charging
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given Samsung's history with AMOLED displays, it's reasonable to assume the A51 5G UW likely features a more vibrant and color-accurate panel than the A91. The A91's value proposition likely relies on a more cost-effective LCD panel. Bezels are likely comparable given the market segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a precise comparison is difficult. However, Samsung generally emphasizes image processing and software features. The A51 5G UW likely benefits from Samsung’s computational photography algorithms, potentially delivering more refined images, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Helio P70’s ISP is capable, but likely lacks the advanced features found in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon SoCs. We can assume both phones will include a standard array of lenses, but the A51 5G UW is likely to have a more capable main sensor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Oppo A91’s MediaTek Helio P70 (12nm). The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 765G translates to significantly improved power efficiency and thermal management, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 765G’s Kryo CPU architecture (1x2.4 GHz Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Gold, 6x1.8 GHz Silver) is also more sophisticated than the Helio P70’s (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53), offering better single-core and multi-core performance. This benefits demanding applications and gaming.
Battery Life
The Oppo A91’s 20W wired charging is a clear advantage, promising a 50% charge in just 30 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is limited to 15W charging. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s superior power efficiency may offset the slower charging speed in real-world usage. The A51 5G UW will likely exhibit better battery life during moderate use due to the more efficient chipset, even if the A91 has a slightly larger battery capacity (not specified).
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A91 if you prioritize rapid charging and are on a very tight budget, accepting compromises in processing power. This phone suits users who primarily engage in basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you value smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and the benefits of a more efficient 5G chipset, even if it means slightly slower charging speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P70 in the Oppo A91 struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Helio P70 is a mid-range chipset and will likely require reduced graphics settings and frame rates to achieve playable performance in demanding games. Expect some stuttering and potential overheating during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 765G in the A51 5G UW offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How much of a real-world difference will the 5nm vs 12nm process node make in daily usage?
The 7nm Snapdragon 765G is significantly more power-efficient than the 12nm Helio P70. This translates to longer battery life during typical usage, less heat generation, and sustained performance without throttling. While the A91 charges faster, the A51 5G UW will likely last longer on a single charge.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW truly faster than 4G on the Oppo A91?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G includes an integrated 5G modem that supports faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G. However, 5G speeds are dependent on network availability and coverage in your area. The A91 is limited to 4G speeds.
