The Realme X3 and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The X3, leveraging the older but potent Snapdragon 855+, prioritizes raw processing power, while the A71 5G UW focuses on delivering 5G connectivity with the more efficient Snapdragon 765G. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the Realme X3 emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 855+ chipset offers significantly higher performance. However, the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW is a strong contender for those who value 5G access and a more balanced power profile.
| 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, 39, 40, 41 | 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 / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 25. Released 2020, June 30 | 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 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 | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.5, 51mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 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@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@960fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
8 MP, f/2.2, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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 55 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 4200 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Arctic White | Prism Bricks Black |
| Models | RMX2142, RMX2081, RMX2085, RMX2083 | SM-A716V |
| Price | About 290 EUR | - |
| SAR | - | 0.50 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
Realme X3
- Superior processing power with Snapdragon 855+
- Faster 30W charging
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Likely shorter battery life due to power-hungry chipset
- May run hotter under sustained load
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
- 5G connectivity
- More efficient Snapdragon 765G for longer battery life
- Samsung’s One UI software experience
- Lower overall performance compared to the X3
- Slower 25W charging
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the core difference lies in their processing power, impacting UI responsiveness. The Realme X3’s Snapdragon 855+ will deliver smoother animations and faster app loading times. The A71 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G, while capable, will exhibit a slight lag in comparison. The absence of high refresh rate panels on either device means the chipset’s processing power is more crucial for perceived smoothness.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Snapdragon 855+ in the Realme X3 has a more powerful ISP, enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The A71 5G UW’s ISP is adequate for its target market, but won’t match the X3’s capabilities. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device would be a significant advantage, but is unknown. The focus should be on real-world image samples to assess the quality of each device’s camera system.
Performance
The Realme X3’s Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7nm) is the clear performance leader. Its octa-core CPU, peaking at 2.96 GHz, significantly outpaces the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) with a 2.4 GHz prime core. This translates to a noticeable advantage in benchmarks and real-world gaming. The 855+’s Adreno 640 GPU is also substantially more powerful than the 765G’s Adreno 620. While both utilize 7nm fabrication, the 855+ is a higher-tier chipset designed for flagship performance, meaning the X3 will handle graphically intensive games and multitasking with greater ease. The A71 5G UW’s 765G prioritizes efficiency, potentially leading to better sustained performance under prolonged load, but at a lower overall ceiling.
Battery Life
The Realme X3’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving a 100% charge in just 55 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW’s 25W charging is slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 855+’s higher power draw will likely result in shorter battery life compared to the more efficient Snapdragon 765G. The A71 5G UW’s efficiency advantage could offset the slower charging speed for users with moderate usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme X3 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games and applications without compromise, and are willing to potentially sacrifice some battery life for that performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you prioritize 5G connectivity, a more streamlined user experience with Samsung's One UI, and a longer-lasting battery for everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the A71 5G UW struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 765G can run Genshin Impact, you’ll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Realme X3’s Snapdragon 855+ will provide a significantly better gaming experience with higher settings and more consistent performance.
❓ Does the Realme X3 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 855+ is known to generate more heat than the 765G. While the Realme X3 likely has thermal management features, prolonged gaming at maximum settings could lead to some throttling to prevent overheating. The A71 5G UW will likely remain cooler under similar conditions.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the A71 5G UW worth the trade-off in performance?
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 isn’t readily available or you primarily use Wi-Fi, the X3’s superior performance is likely a better choice.
