Oppo Reno3 vs Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW: Which Mid-Range 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?

The Oppo Reno3 and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. The Reno3, with its focus on fast charging, aims for convenience, while the A71 5G UW leverages Qualcomm's 5G expertise and a more modern chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and 5G efficiency, the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset, built on a 7nm process, offers a significant advantage over the Reno3’s 12nm Helio P90, translating to cooler operation and smoother multitasking. While the Reno3 boasts faster wired charging, the A71 5G UW’s overall package is more compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno3 Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66
5G bands-260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 - APAC-
Launch
Announced2020, March 17. Released 2020, March 172020, July 07
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, July 16
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions160.2 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)162.8 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM (pre-installed)
Weight170 g (6.00 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDSuper AMOLED Plus
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUPowerVR GM9446Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10, ColorOS 7Android 10, One UI 2.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, 2x optical zoom, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP B/W, f/2.464 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single44 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)No
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -ANT+
Battery
Charging30W wired, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 73 min25W wired
TypeLi-Po 4025 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Aurora Blue, Sky WhitePrism Bricks Black
ModelsCPH2043SM-A716V
PriceAbout 440 EUR-
SAR-0.50 W/kg (head)     0.78 W/kg (body)

Oppo Reno3

  • Faster 30W Wired Charging
  • Potentially more compact form factor
  • Competitive price point (depending on region)

  • Less efficient Helio P90 chipset
  • Potential for thermal throttling
  • Older processor architecture

Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW

  • More efficient Snapdragon 765G chipset
  • Better 5G performance and connectivity
  • Superior thermal management

  • Slower 25W Wired Charging
  • Potentially larger and less pocketable
  • May be slightly more expensive

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are unavailable, the focus here is on the underlying processors. Both likely utilize AMOLED panels, common in this price bracket. The A71 5G UW’s larger screen size (typically 6.7 inches vs Reno3’s 6.4 inches) may appeal to media consumers, but the Reno3’s potentially more compact form factor could be preferred by those seeking one-handed usability.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of sensors, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s image signal processor (ISP) generally offers more advanced image processing capabilities than the ISP found in the Helio P90. This often results in better dynamic range and noise reduction, particularly in low-light conditions. The A71 5G UW likely benefits from Samsung’s established camera software algorithms. The Reno3 may rely more heavily on software enhancements to compensate for a potentially less capable ISP.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, fabricated on a 7nm process, is significantly more efficient than the Oppo Reno3’s MediaTek Helio P90 (12nm). This translates to better thermal management, meaning the A71 5G UW is less likely to throttle under sustained load. The Snapdragon 765G’s Kryo CPU architecture (1x2.4 GHz Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Gold, 6x1.8 GHz Silver) is also more balanced than the Reno3’s (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), offering improved multi-tasking capabilities. Gamers will find the A71 5G UW’s Adreno 620 GPU superior to the Helio P90’s PowerVR GM9446.

Battery Life

The Oppo Reno3’s 30W wired charging is a clear advantage, achieving 50% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 73 minutes. The A71 5G UW’s 25W charging is slower. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s superior efficiency means the A71 5G UW will likely exhibit better overall battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity battery. The 7nm process consumes less power, extending usage time between charges. The Reno3’s faster charging is beneficial for quick top-ups, but the A71 5G UW offers a more sustainable power experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno3 if you prioritize extremely fast wired charging and are primarily focused on everyday tasks like social media and light browsing. Its 30W charging is a standout feature. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you value consistent performance, 5G connectivity, and a more efficient processor for gaming and demanding applications. The Snapdragon 765G provides a more future-proof experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio P90 in the Oppo Reno3 struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG or Genshin Impact?
The Helio P90 can run these games, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Snapdragon 765G in the A71 5G UW offers a smoother experience at higher settings due to its more powerful GPU and efficient thermal design.
❓ How much of a real-world difference will the 7nm process of the Snapdragon 765G make in battery life compared to the 12nm Helio P90?
The 7nm process is significantly more power-efficient. Expect to see a noticeable improvement in battery life on the A71 5G UW, potentially adding several hours of usage compared to the Reno3, especially during demanding tasks like gaming or video streaming.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for significantly faster download and upload speeds where available. This is a key advantage for users in areas with robust 5G infrastructure.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 25W and 30W really that noticeable in everyday use?
While 30W is faster on paper, the difference isn't massive. The Reno3 gains about 30 minutes to full charge. However, the convenience of a quicker top-up can be valuable for users who frequently need to recharge quickly.