The Realme X2 and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW represent compelling options in the mid-range 5G smartphone space. The X2, while older, boasts a reputation for strong performance and fast charging. The A71 5G UW, leveraging Samsung’s brand recognition and 5G connectivity, aims to deliver a well-rounded experience. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Realme X2 emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 730G, coupled with 30W charging, provides a smoother experience and quicker top-ups than the A71 5G UW, despite the latter’s 5G capabilities. However, the A71 5G UW’s 5G support is a significant advantage for those in areas with robust 5G infrastructure.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 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 / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 24. Released 2019, September | 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.7 x 75.2 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.96 x 0.34 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 | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Realme UI | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide)
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@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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, 67% in 30 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pearl White, Pearl Blue, Pearl Green | Prism Bricks Black |
| Models | RMX1992, RMX1993, RMX1991 | SM-A716V |
| Price | About 480 EUR | - |
| SAR | - | 0.50 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.6dB / Crosstalk -88.1dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 105h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 215578 (v7), 257443 (v8)
GeekBench: 6926 (v4.4), 1750 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Realme X2
- Faster 30W charging
- Stronger gaming performance (Snapdragon 730G)
- Generally more affordable
- Older model
- No native 5G support (depending on region)
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
- 5G connectivity
- Samsung brand reputation
- Potentially better image processing
- Slower 25W charging
- Slightly lower performance compared to X2
- May be more expensive
Display Comparison
The Realme X2 features a display with a measured peak brightness of 432 nits, which is adequate for indoor use but may struggle in direct sunlight. While the contrast ratio is listed as infinite (nominal), this is typical marketing language. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW’s display specifications are not provided, but Samsung generally employs Super AMOLED panels known for vibrant colors and excellent contrast. Without specific brightness data for the A71 5G UW, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Samsung’s display technology often provides a more visually appealing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is challenging. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely the A71 5G UW benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise, potentially delivering more consistent results in various lighting conditions. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras in this segment suggests avoiding reliance on 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme X2 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G (8nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with a 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver configuration. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW is powered by the Snapdragon 765G (7nm), also an octa-core processor, but with a slightly different arrangement: 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver. The 7nm process node of the 765G *should* offer better power efficiency, but the X2’s optimized 730G is known for its strong sustained performance. The 765G’s inclusion of a prime core suggests a slight edge in single-core tasks, but the X2’s gaming performance is generally considered superior due to the 730G’s Adreno 618 GPU.
Battery Life
The Realme X2 boasts an endurance rating of 105 hours, indicating solid battery life. Crucially, it supports 30W wired charging, achieving 67% charge in just 30 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW’s battery capacity and endurance rating are not provided, but it supports 25W wired charging. The X2’s faster charging is a significant advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups and reducing downtime. While the A71 5G UW’s battery life may be comparable, the X2’s charging speed provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme X2 if you need a phone that prioritizes gaming and fast charging, and aren't heavily reliant on 5G connectivity. Its Snapdragon 730G offers a noticeable performance edge for the price. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you prioritize 5G connectivity and prefer the Samsung ecosystem, and are willing to trade some performance for that feature. It’s a solid all-rounder for everyday tasks and streaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the A71 5G UW offer a significant real-world performance boost over the 730G in the X2 for everyday tasks?
While the Snapdragon 765G has a slightly faster prime core, the difference in performance for typical tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming is minimal. The Realme X2’s Snapdragon 730G is more than capable of handling these workloads smoothly. The 765G’s advantage is more noticeable in demanding 5G applications and potentially in specific benchmark tests.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the A71 5G UW worth the trade-off in charging speed and potentially performance?
This depends entirely on your location and 5G network availability. If you live in an area with robust 5G coverage and frequently use data-intensive applications, the A71 5G UW’s 5G connectivity could be a significant benefit. However, if 5G is unavailable or you primarily use Wi-Fi, the X2’s faster charging and better performance are more valuable.
❓ How does the Realme X2 handle graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Realme X2’s Snapdragon 730G and Adreno 618 GPU are well-suited for gaming. You can expect smooth gameplay at high settings in PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile. While it may not achieve the highest frame rates possible on flagship devices, it provides a very enjoyable gaming experience for the price.