Choosing between two similar Samsung phones can be tough. The Galaxy A50s was a popular mid-range contender, while the A51 5G UW brought 5G connectivity to the table. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which one reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A51 5G UW is the clear winner thanks to its superior Snapdragon 765G chipset, 5G connectivity, and slightly improved camera capabilities. While the A50s offers a good value, the A51 5G UW provides a more future-proof and powerful experience.
| 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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 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 | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September | 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 | 158.5 x 74.5 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 2.93 x 0.30 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 | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 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 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 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 (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 672 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | SM-A507F, SM-A507FN, SM-A5070 | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 290 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.32 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 154761 (v7)
GeekBench: 5295 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A50s
- Excellent Super AMOLED display
- Good value for money
- Decent camera performance
- Sleek design
- Slower performance compared to A51 5G UW
- 15W charging is slow
- No 5G connectivity
- Exynos 9611 chipset can throttle under load
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- 5G connectivity
- Faster Snapdragon 765G chipset
- Slightly better camera performance
- Future-proof design
- Slightly more expensive than A50s
- 15W charging is slow
- Macro camera is often underwhelming
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution. The A51 5G UW might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to its newer panel, but the difference is minimal. Both offer excellent viewing angles and vibrant colors.
Camera Comparison
The A51 5G UW generally offers slightly better camera performance, particularly in low-light conditions. Both phones have a similar camera setup (main, ultrawide, macro, depth), but the A51 5G UW's image processing is more refined. Video recording capabilities are also slightly better on the A51 5G UW.
Performance
This is where the A51 5G UW shines. The Snapdragon 765G chipset is significantly faster and more efficient than the Exynos 9611 in the A50s. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A51 5G UW. The A50s can handle everyday tasks, but it will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 4000mAh battery. Battery life is comparable, offering a full day of moderate use. Charging speeds are identical at 15W wired, which is relatively slow compared to modern standards.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A50s is a good choice for budget-conscious buyers who don't need 5G and prioritize a vibrant display. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is ideal for users who want 5G connectivity, faster performance, and a slightly better camera system, even if it comes at a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the A51 5G UW worth the extra cost over the A50s?
If 5G connectivity and improved performance are important to you, then yes. The A51 5G UW offers a more future-proof and enjoyable user experience.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW, thanks to its Snapdragon 765G chipset, provides significantly better gaming performance than the A50s.