The Oppo Reno4 and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take different approaches to achieving this goal, primarily through their chipset choices and charging implementations. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 765G, built on a 7nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Reno4’s Snapdragon 720G, despite the Reno4’s slightly faster charging. However, the Reno4 remains a strong contender for users focused on a sleek design and potentially more refined software experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 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 | 2020, July 29. Released 2020, August 05 | 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 160.3 x 73.9 x 7.7 mm (6.31 x 2.91 x 0.30 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 | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 430 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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 | 30W wired, 50% in 20 min | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4015 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Galactic Blue, Space Black | Prism Bricks Black |
| Models | CPH2113 | SM-A716V |
| Price | About 330 EUR | - |
| SAR | - | 0.50 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
Oppo Reno4
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Potentially more compact and lightweight design
- Oppo’s ColorOS offers unique software features
- Snapdragon 720G is less powerful than the 765G
- 8nm process may lead to more heat under load
- 5G implementation may be less efficient
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
- More powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset
- 7nm process offers better efficiency and thermal management
- Integrated 5G modem for potentially better connectivity
- Slower 25W wired charging
- Potentially larger and heavier design
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource-intensive
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display, but they cater to different preferences. While specific panel details (like peak brightness in nits) are unavailable, the A71 5G UW’s larger screen size is a key differentiator. Both likely utilize AMOLED technology, common in this price bracket, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. Bezels are expected to be relatively similar, with Samsung historically focusing on maximizing screen real estate. Color accuracy is likely comparable, with both manufacturers aiming for acceptable sRGB coverage for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor specifications, a direct camera comparison is challenging. However, the market positioning suggests the A71 5G UW likely features a larger main sensor, potentially offering better low-light performance. Both phones likely include multiple lenses, but the emphasis should be on the primary sensor’s capabilities. Image processing styles will differ – Oppo typically leans towards more vibrant, saturated images, while Samsung often aims for a more natural look. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the main sensor of either device would be a significant advantage for video recording and low-light photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G, fabricated on a 7nm process, demonstrably outperforms the Oppo Reno4’s Snapdragon 720G (8nm). The 765G features a Kryo 475 Prime core clocked at 2.4GHz, offering a performance advantage over the Reno4’s 2.3GHz Kryo 465 Gold cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. While both phones have 6x 1.8GHz efficiency cores, the 7nm node of the 765G contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The A71 5G UW also benefits from integrated 5G capabilities within the chipset, while the Reno4’s 5G implementation may rely more on the modem.
Battery Life
The Oppo Reno4’s 30W wired charging is faster than the A71 5G UW’s 25W charging, allowing for a 50% charge in just 20 minutes. However, battery life is a more complex equation. While the A71 5G UW may have a larger battery capacity (spec not provided), the more efficient Snapdragon 765G could offset this difference. The 7nm process node contributes to lower power consumption, potentially resulting in comparable real-world battery endurance despite the charging speed disparity. Both phones should comfortably last a full day with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Reno4 if you prioritize a lighter, more compact design and appreciate Oppo’s ColorOS software features. It’s a good fit for users who primarily use their phone for social media, casual gaming, and everyday tasks. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you need more processing power for demanding apps, enjoy a larger display, and value the broader ecosystem and software support Samsung provides. This phone is ideal for gamers, multitaskers, and those who plan to keep their device for several years.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the A71 5G UW handle graphically demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings with stable frame rates. The Adreno 620 GPU provides a significant performance boost over the Adreno 618 in the Reno4, allowing for a smoother and more immersive gaming experience. While not a flagship-level experience, it’s more than adequate for enjoyable mobile gaming.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the A71 5G UW significantly slower in real-world use compared to the Reno4’s 30W charging?
While the Reno4 charges faster on paper, the difference in real-world charging times isn’t massive. The A71 5G UW’s 25W charging will still provide a substantial charge in a reasonable timeframe. The larger battery capacity of the A71 5G UW (if it has one) also means the overall time to reach 100% might not be drastically different.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates and security patches over the next two years?
Samsung generally provides longer software support for its devices compared to Oppo. While Oppo has improved its update cadence, Samsung’s commitment to security patches and OS upgrades is typically more consistent, making the A71 5G UW the better choice for users prioritizing long-term software support.
