The Realme V5 5G and Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at accessible price points, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in their chipsets and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Realme V5 5G emerges as the winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 720 chipset, while not a flagship, offers a competitive edge over the Snapdragon 765G in many scenarios, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the A51 5G UW’s 15W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 260, 261 mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G 2.3 Gbps DL | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 03. Released 2020, August 07 | 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 75 x 9.1 mm (6.38 x 2.95 x 0.36 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 | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | 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 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 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 Dimensity 720 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (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 | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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 |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, 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 | Blue, Silver, Mint | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 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 V5 5G
- Faster 30W charging for quick top-ups
- Potentially more efficient Dimensity 720 chipset
- Competitive 5G performance
- Software experience may not be as polished as Samsung’s
- Camera image processing might be less refined
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- Samsung’s established software ecosystem
- Potentially better image processing
- Larger screen size (typically)
- Significantly slower 15W charging
- Snapdragon 765G may be less efficient
- Potentially lower performance in 5G-intensive tasks
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness in nits or color gamut coverage) are absent, the focus here is on the underlying performance. Both utilize 7nm chipsets, suggesting similar power demands and potential for display optimization. The A51 5G UW’s larger screen size (typically 6.5 inches vs the V5’s 6.52 inches) may offer a more immersive viewing experience, but this comes at the cost of potentially lower pixel density. Without detailed display specs, the difference is likely minimal for most users.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are limited, but the focus should be on the primary sensors. Without knowing the megapixel counts or sensor sizes, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Samsung generally excels in image processing, potentially delivering more vibrant and shareable photos straight out of the camera. The A51 5G UW likely benefits from Samsung’s software optimizations. The Realme V5 5G may offer a more natural color profile. The presence of numerous low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP) on both devices is largely marketing fluff and should be disregarded.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme V5 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7nm) features an octa-core configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW, powered by the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7nm), employs a tri-cluster setup: 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver. The Snapdragon 765G’s prime core offers a higher clock speed, potentially benefiting single-core tasks. However, the Dimensity 720’s Cortex-A76 cores are generally more efficient, and the overall architecture is optimized for 5G performance. This translates to a smoother experience in 5G-intensive applications on the Realme V5 5G. The Snapdragon 765G’s GPU is likely slightly more powerful, but the difference is unlikely to be significant in most mobile games.
Battery Life
The Realme V5 5G’s 30W wired charging is a clear advantage. It can reach 100% charge in approximately 65 minutes, minimizing downtime. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s 15W charging is significantly slower, requiring considerably more time to fully replenish the battery. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Realme V5 5G effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. Users who prioritize minimizing charging time will strongly favor the Realme V5 5G.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme V5 5G if you need a phone that prioritizes quick charging and responsive performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. It’s ideal for users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their battery quickly. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you prefer the Samsung ecosystem, a potentially more refined software experience, and are less concerned with maximizing charging speed or achieving peak performance in demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 720 in the Realme V5 5G struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
While not a flagship chipset, the Dimensity 720 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with acceptable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense action, but the overall experience should be playable. Optimizing in-game settings is crucial for maintaining smooth performance.
❓ How much slower is the 15W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW compared to the Realme V5 5G’s 30W charging in real-world usage?
The difference is substantial. The Realme V5 5G can go from 0-100% in around 65 minutes, while the A51 5G UW will likely take over 2 hours, potentially closer to 2.5-3 hours. This means you’ll spend significantly more time tethered to a charger with the Samsung device.
❓ Is the 5G UW (Ultra Wideband) support on the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW a significant advantage for users in areas with UW coverage?
If you live in an area with robust 5G UW coverage, the A51 5G UW can deliver significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to standard 5G. However, 5G UW coverage is still limited, and the benefits are only realized in supported areas. The Realme V5 5G supports standard 5G, which is widely available.
