The Realme 7 and Samsung Galaxy M51 represent compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, but cater to different priorities. The M51 prioritizes endurance with a massive battery, while the Realme 7 aims for a balance of performance and faster charging. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day (and then some) battery life, the Samsung Galaxy M51 is the clear winner. However, gamers and those who value faster charging will find the Realme 7 a more appealing choice, despite its shorter battery endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE-A | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 07 | 2020, August 31. Released 2020, September 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, October 21 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3+), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.37 in) | 163.9 x 76.3 x 9.5 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196.5 g (6.95 oz) | 213 g (7.51 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 (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 26 min, 100% in 65 min (advertised) | 25W wired, 100% in 115 min
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 7000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mist Blue, Mist White | Celestial Black, Electric Blue, White |
| Models | RMX2155 | SM-M515F, SM-M515F/DSN |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.38 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.61 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 126h
| Endurance rating 156h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1474:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
-28.5 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 292828(v8)
GeekBench: 1681 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 266620 (v8)
GeekBench: 1774 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 7 (Global)
- Faster 30W charging significantly reduces downtime.
- Helio G95 chipset offers good gaming performance.
- More compact and potentially easier to handle.
- Shorter battery life compared to the Galaxy M51.
- Less efficient 12nm chipset may lead to more heat.
- Display brightness is lower than the M51.
Samsung Galaxy M51
- Exceptional 156-hour battery life for extended usage.
- Brighter 677 nit display for better outdoor visibility.
- More efficient Snapdragon 730G chipset.
- Significantly slower 25W charging.
- Potentially larger and less comfortable to hold.
- Gaming performance may be slightly lower than the Realme 7.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy M51 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 677 nits measured, compared to the Realme 7’s nominal 1474:1 contrast ratio. While the Realme 7’s contrast ratio suggests good black levels, the M51’s higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. Samsung also advertises an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, likely due to its AMOLED panel, offering deeper blacks than the Realme 7’s LCD. The lack of refresh rate information for the Realme 7 suggests a standard 60Hz panel, while the M51’s panel type isn’t specified, but its brightness indicates a focus on visual clarity.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is missing. The absence of specifics necessitates a focus on processing. Samsung’s image processing typically emphasizes vibrant colors and detail, while Realme often aims for a more natural look. Without knowing sensor sizes or aperture values, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the M51’s brand reputation suggests a more refined camera experience, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The lack of detail regarding OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization.
Performance
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G in the Galaxy M51, built on an 8nm process, offers a more efficient architecture than the Realme 7’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm). While the Realme 7’s CPU has slightly higher clock speeds on its prime cores (2.05 GHz vs 2.2 GHz), the Snapdragon 730G’s Kryo 470 Gold cores are architecturally more advanced, leading to better sustained performance. The 8nm process also contributes to lower heat generation, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Realme 7’s G95 is optimized for gaming, but the M51’s more efficient chipset provides a smoother overall experience.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy M51 dominates in battery endurance with a rating of 156 hours, compared to the Realme 7’s 126 hours. This 30-hour difference is substantial and reflects the M51’s larger battery capacity (not specified in the data, but known to be 7000mAh). However, the Realme 7 compensates with significantly faster charging – 30W wired, achieving 50% in 26 minutes and 100% in 65 minutes, versus the M51’s 25W charging taking 115 minutes for a full charge. The M51 also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Realme 7, adding to its versatility.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 7 (Global) if you need a phone for gaming, frequent charging, and a more responsive user experience. Its Helio G95 chipset and 30W charging are geared towards performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M51 if you prioritize exceptional battery life above all else, and don't mind slower charging speeds. It's ideal for users who heavily rely on their phone throughout the day and rarely have access to a power outlet.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 730G in the Galaxy M51 struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
While not a flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 730G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings. Its 8nm process and efficient architecture help prevent significant throttling, providing a stable gaming experience, though it won't match the performance of the Realme 7's Helio G95 at maximum settings.
❓ How much slower is the 25W charging on the Galaxy M51 compared to the Realme 7's 30W charging in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Realme 7 can reach 50% charge in just 26 minutes, while the Galaxy M51 takes considerably longer. The M51's 115-minute full charge time means you'll need to plan ahead if you need a quick top-up, making the Realme 7 the better choice for users who frequently need to recharge quickly.
❓ Is the lack of OIS on either phone a significant drawback for video recording?
The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) means both phones rely on Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS). EIS can be effective, but it often results in a slight crop to the video frame and may not be as smooth as OIS, especially when recording while moving. Casual video recording will be fine, but serious videographers might find the lack of OIS limiting.
