Realme 6S vs. Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW: Which Mid-Range 5G Phone Wins?

The Realme 6S and Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent distinct approaches to the mid-range 5G market. The Realme 6S prioritizes raw processing power and charging speed, while the Samsung A51 5G UW focuses on broader 5G compatibility and Samsung’s established software ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing 5G connectivity and a familiar software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is the better choice. However, gamers and power users who value faster charging and potentially higher sustained performance will find the Realme 6S more appealing.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme 6S Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International2, 4, 5, 13, 66
5G bands-260, 261 mmWave
SpeedHSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, May 26. Released 2020, June 022020, August 14
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, August 14
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions162.1 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)158.8 x 73.4 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.89 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM (pre-installed)
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)188.8 g (6.67 oz)
 Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ)Super AMOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 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 MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MC4Adreno 620
OSAndroid 11, Realme UI 2.0Android 10, One UI 2
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB 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 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 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
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm32 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
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio, RDS, recording
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -ANT+
Battery
Charging30W wired, 100% in 55 min15W wired
Stand-by-Up to 672 h
Talk time-Up to 5 h
Type4300 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsEclipse Black, Lunar WhitePrism Bricks Blue
ModelsRMX2002SM-A516V
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 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)

Realme 6S

  • Significantly faster 30W charging
  • Potentially higher peak CPU performance (Helio G90T)
  • Likely more aggressive pricing

  • Less efficient 12nm process (potential for throttling)
  • Less established software support
  • 5G compatibility may be limited to certain bands

Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW

  • More efficient 7nm Snapdragon 765G chipset
  • Broader 5G network compatibility
  • Samsung’s One UI software experience

  • Slower 15W charging
  • Potentially lower peak CPU performance
  • Generally higher price point

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. Display quality is likely similar, leaning towards adequate for the price point. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of phones in this segment.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is difficult. However, Samsung generally excels in image processing, offering vibrant and shareable photos. The Realme 6S likely prioritizes a more natural look. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and OIS makes it impossible to definitively declare a winner, but Samsung’s history suggests a more refined camera experience, even if the hardware is similar.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, fabricated on a 7nm process, offers a significant architectural advantage over the Realme 6S’s 12nm Mediatek Helio G90T. The Snapdragon 765G’s Kryo CPU cores (Prime, Gold, and Silver) are designed for efficiency and sustained performance, while the Helio G90T relies on a more aggressive core configuration (2x Cortex-A76, 6x Cortex-A55). This means the Snapdragon 765G is likely to exhibit less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, despite the G90T’s higher clock speeds on its prime cores. The 7nm process inherently generates less heat. The A51 5G UW also benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized 5G modem integration.

Battery Life

The Realme 6S’s 30W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s 15W charging. This translates to a full charge in approximately 55 minutes for the Realme 6S, versus a significantly longer time for the Samsung. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Realme 6S mitigates any potential disadvantage from a smaller battery size, offering more convenient top-ups throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme 6S if you need a phone for demanding mobile games, frequent fast charging, and aren't heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem. Its Helio G90T chipset aims for peak performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you prioritize 5G network compatibility, a polished user interface, and a more balanced overall experience, even if it means sacrificing some raw processing power and charging speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G90T in the Realme 6S overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 765G due to its 12nm process. While it offers strong initial performance, expect some thermal throttling after extended gaming, potentially leading to frame rate drops. The A51 5G UW's 7nm Snapdragon 765G is better equipped to handle sustained loads.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW support all 5G bands available in the US?
The 'UW' designation in the A51 5G UW indicates support for Verizon’s Ultra Wideband 5G network (mmWave). However, it also supports Sub-6GHz 5G, offering broader compatibility. Check Verizon’s website for a complete list of supported bands to ensure compatibility with your carrier and location.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between the two phones really that noticeable?
Yes, the difference is substantial. 30W charging on the Realme 6S can add a significant percentage of battery life in just a short amount of time, while the 15W charging on the A51 5G UW is considerably slower. This is a major convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.