The Oppo A97 and Samsung Galaxy A51 are both popular choices in the budget smartphone market, offering a blend of features and affordability. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value to help you make the right decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo A97 boasts a more modern chipset and faster charging, offering a performance edge. However, the Galaxy A51's superior display brightness, established brand reputation, and longer software support make it a compelling alternative, especially considering its price range.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A515U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 12 | 2019, December 12. Released 2019, December 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 15 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.1 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 158.5 x 73.6 x 7.9 mm (6.24 x 2.90 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 12, ColorOS 12 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | 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 | 12 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP | 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, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing
ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush Pink |
| Models | PFTM10 | SM-A515F, SM-A515F/DSN, SM-A515F/DS, SM-A515F/DST, SM-A515F/DSM, SM-A515F/N, SM-A515U, SM-A515U1, SM-A515W, SM-A515X, SM-S515DL |
| Price | About 310 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.80 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 299.99 |
| 128GB 6GB RAM | - | $ 674.99 |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 211.50 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 179.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -87.3dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 86h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 113051 (v7), 175363 (v8)
GeekBench: 5401 (v4.4), 1294 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A97
- Modern chipset (Dimensity 810)
- Faster 33W charging
- Generally better performance
- More efficient processor
- Potentially shorter software support
- Display brightness not as high as A51
- Camera performance may not match A51
Samsung Galaxy A51
- Brighter display (636 nits)
- Excellent battery life (86h endurance)
- Established brand reputation (Samsung)
- Potentially longer software support
- Older chipset (Exynos 9611)
- Slower 15W charging
- Lower performance compared to A97
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A51 shines with its measured 636 nits max brightness, providing excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Oppo A97's display is decent, it lacks the same level of brightness. The A51's 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests strong blacks, though this is a marketing term. Both offer vibrant colors, but the A51 has a noticeable advantage in outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the Galaxy A51 has a more established reputation for image quality. While specific camera specs are not detailed, the A51 likely benefits from Samsung's image processing algorithms. The A97's camera is expected to be good, but may not match the A51's consistency across various lighting conditions.
Performance
The Oppo A97's Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm) chipset is significantly more modern and efficient than the Galaxy A51's Exynos 9611 (10nm). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall performance, particularly in graphically intensive tasks. The A97's CPU configuration also offers a slight edge in raw processing power.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A51's endurance rating of 86 hours is exceptional, showcasing its impressive battery life. The Oppo A97, while having a decent battery, doesn't match this longevity. However, the Oppo A97's 33W wired charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the A51's 15W charging.
Buying Guide
The Oppo A97 is ideal for users prioritizing performance and fast charging on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy A51 is a better choice for those who value a brighter display, a trusted brand, and potentially longer software updates, even with slightly older hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Oppo A97's newer chipset and more efficient processor give it a clear advantage in gaming performance.
❓ How long will Samsung support the Galaxy A51 with software updates?
Samsung typically provides longer software support for its devices than Oppo. Expect more Android updates and security patches on the Galaxy A51.
