The Realme 7 (Asia) and Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent compelling options in the mid-range 5G smartphone space, but cater to different priorities. The Realme 7 focuses on raw performance and rapid charging, while the A51 5G UW leverages Samsung’s brand recognition and a more balanced feature set. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and fast charging, the Realme 7 is the clear winner. Its Helio G95 chipset and 30W charging significantly outperform the A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G and 15W charging. However, the A51 5G UW offers a more refined software experience and broader carrier compatibility.
| 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, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 03. Released 2020, September 10 | 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.37 in) | 158.8 x 73.4 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.89 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 196.5 g (6.95 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | - | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps | 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 (Indonesia only) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 26 min, 100% in 65 min | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 672 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mist Blue, Mist White | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | RMX2151, RMX2163 | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.32 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Loudspeaker |
-25.9 LUFS (Very good) | - |
Realme 7 (Asia)
- Faster 30W charging
- Potentially better gaming performance with Helio G95
- Higher display contrast ratio
- Less refined software experience
- Potentially lower 5G compatibility outside Asia
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- Samsung’s brand reputation and software support
- 5G UW compatibility for US carriers
- Potentially more efficient Snapdragon 765G
- Slower 15W charging
- Lower peak gaming performance
- Likely lower display contrast
Display Comparison
The Realme 7 boasts a measured peak brightness of 525 nits and a 1474:1 contrast ratio, suggesting a vibrant and punchy display. While the A51 5G UW’s display specifications aren’t provided, Samsung typically employs Super AMOLED panels known for excellent color accuracy and contrast. However, the Realme 7’s higher contrast ratio indicates deeper blacks. The lack of refresh rate information for both devices places them behind some competitors, but the Realme 7’s brightness advantage will be noticeable in outdoor conditions.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme 7’s focus on gaming often translates to optimized image processing for fast-action shots. The Snapdragon 765G in the A51 5G UW features a capable image signal processor (ISP) for good image quality in various conditions. The absence of information regarding OIS or sensor sizes makes it hard to definitively declare a winner; however, Samsung’s image processing algorithms are generally well-regarded for producing pleasing, if sometimes over-processed, images.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 7’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm) utilizes a dual-cluster CPU design with two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.05 GHz and six efficiency cores. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) employs a Kryo architecture with a prime core at 2.4 GHz. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 765G generally offers better power efficiency than the 12nm Helio G95, but the G95’s focus on raw CPU and GPU power gives it an edge in gaming. The Snapdragon 765G’s integrated 5G modem is also a key advantage for users in areas with 5G UW support.
Battery Life
The Realme 7’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving 50% charge in 26 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes. The A51 5G UW’s 15W charging is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging of the Realme 7 mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. Users who frequently top up their phones will greatly benefit from the Realme 7’s charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 7 (Asia) if you need a phone optimized for mobile gaming, demand the fastest possible charging speeds, and are comfortable with a potentially less polished software experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you prefer a well-known brand, prioritize 5G network compatibility with US carriers (UW designation), and value a more streamlined user interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Realme 7’s Helio G95 chipset throttle under sustained gaming loads?
The Helio G95 is known for its strong performance, but its 12nm process node may lead to some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. However, Realme often implements cooling solutions to mitigate this, and the G95’s performance advantage over the Snapdragon 765G is still significant in short bursts.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW compatible with all 5G networks?
The 'UW' designation in the A51 5G UW indicates optimization for Verizon’s Ultra Wideband 5G network. While it will connect to other 5G networks, performance may be limited compared to devices specifically designed for those networks. Check carrier compatibility before purchasing.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Realme UI and Samsung’s One UI?
Samsung’s One UI is generally considered more polished and feature-rich, with a longer track record of software updates. Realme UI is lighter and more customizable, but may receive fewer updates and contain more pre-installed bloatware.
❓ Will the Realme 7 receive major Android updates?
Realme’s update policy has improved, but it’s generally less consistent than Samsung’s. Expect at least one major Android update (likely Android 12 or 13), but long-term support may be limited.