The Oppo Reno2 and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Reno2, while older, boasts impressive battery endurance. The A71 5G UW, however, brings 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset to the table, making this a crucial comparison for budget-conscious consumers seeking future-proofed performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset offers a performance advantage and future-proofs with 5G support, while the 25W charging is a welcome upgrade. However, the Reno2 remains a strong contender for those prioritizing exceptional battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 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, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 28. Released 2019, September | 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 160 x 74.3 x 9.5 mm (6.30 x 2.93 x 0.37 in) | 162.8 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 104.1 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), planned upgrade to Android 10, ColorOS 7.0 | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.2", 1.4µm
2 MP B/W, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (gyro-EIS); video rec. only with main camera | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | Motorized pop-up 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, 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 | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Luminous Black, Ocean Blue, Sunset Pink | Prism Bricks Black |
| Models | PCKM70, PCKT00, PCKM00, CPH1907 | SM-A716V |
| Price | About 500 EUR | - |
| SAR | - | 0.50 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -92.4dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 102h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 67dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 81dB
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 214097 (v7), 261990 (v8)
GeekBench: 7001 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Oppo Reno2
- Exceptional 102-hour battery endurance
- Solid performance from Snapdragon 730G
- Potentially brighter display (509 nits measured)
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Slower 20W charging
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Faster 25W wired charging
- More modern Snapdragon 765G chipset
- Likely shorter battery life than Reno2
- Display brightness unknown
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications beyond the Reno2’s measured 509 nits of max brightness. While the Reno2’s contrast ratio is listed as infinite (nominal), this is standard marketing terminology. The A71 5G UW likely offers a similar LCD experience. Without knowing the A71 5G UW’s brightness, it’s difficult to definitively say which display is superior, but the Reno2’s measured output provides a concrete benchmark. Users prioritizing outdoor visibility may lean towards the Reno2 based on this data.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both feature multi-camera setups. However, without sensor size or aperture information, a detailed comparison is impossible. The A71 5G UW likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, which are generally well-regarded. The Reno2’s camera performance will depend heavily on its software optimization. We can assume both will offer acceptable image quality for social media sharing, but neither is likely to compete with flagship-level camera performance.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) represents a clear architectural advantage over the Oppo Reno2’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm). The 7nm process node generally translates to improved power efficiency and thermal performance. The A71 5G UW’s CPU configuration – a 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core alongside a 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver – offers a slight edge in single-core performance compared to the Reno2’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver. This difference will be noticeable in demanding applications and multitasking. The inclusion of 5G connectivity in the A71 5G UW further enhances its future-proofing.
Battery Life
The Oppo Reno2’s standout feature is its exceptional 102-hour endurance rating. While the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW’s battery capacity is unknown, the Reno2’s rating suggests a significantly larger battery or more efficient power management. The A71 5G UW compensates with 25W wired charging, faster than the Reno2’s 20W charging. This means the A71 5G UW can replenish its battery more quickly, mitigating the potential difference in overall battery life. Users prioritizing longevity will favor the Reno2, while those valuing quick top-ups will prefer the A71 5G UW.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Reno2 if you absolutely prioritize maximizing battery life and don't require 5G connectivity. Its 102-hour endurance rating is exceptional for its class. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you want a more modern chipset with 5G capabilities, faster charging, and a generally more responsive user experience, even if it means slightly reduced battery longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the A71 5G UW offer a noticeable gaming improvement over the Reno2's Snapdragon 730G?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G features a more powerful GPU and CPU architecture, resulting in higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in demanding titles. While neither phone is a dedicated gaming device, the A71 5G UW will provide a more enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the A71 5G UW compared to the Reno2's 20W charging?
While the exact difference depends on battery capacity, 25W charging will generally reduce charging times by approximately 20-30% compared to 20W. This means a faster top-up when you're short on time, even if the A71 5G UW's battery isn't as large as the Reno2's.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the A71 5G UW actually useful, or is it just a marketing gimmick?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. However, 5G offers significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G LTE, which can be beneficial for streaming, downloading large files, and online gaming. It also future-proofs the device for upcoming 5G network expansions.
