Samsung's Galaxy A series consistently delivers excellent value, but choosing between models can be tricky. Today, we're pitting the Galaxy A51 5G UW against the A52s 5G to determine which phone reigns supreme. We'll break down everything from display quality to performance and battery life.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the clear winner. Its superior Snapdragon 778G chipset, faster charging, brighter display, and generally improved performance make it a more compelling choice despite a slightly higher price point. The A51 5G UW remains a decent option, especially if found at a significant discount.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 260, 261 mmWave | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 14 | 2021, August 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, August 14 | Available. Released 2021, September 01 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 158.8 x 73.4 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.89 x 0.34 in) | 159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| 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 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (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@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | ANT+ | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 672 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prism Bricks Blue | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint |
| Models | SM-A516V | SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N |
| Price | About 470 EUR | £ 112.98 / € 249.47 |
| SAR | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) | 0.72 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.32 W/kg (body) | 0.88 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 429675 (v8), 506432(v9)
GeekBench: 11060 (v4.4), 2801 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- More affordable
- Reliable Samsung brand
- 5G connectivity
- Older chipset
- Slower charging
- Less bright display
- Potentially lower camera quality
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 778G 5G chipset
- Faster 25W charging
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Likely better camera performance
- Slightly more expensive
- Similar battery life to A51 5G UW
Display Comparison
The A52s 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 800 nits (measured) compared to the A51 5G UW's likely lower brightness. The A52s also touts an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting deeper blacks and better overall image quality. Both offer a similar resolution and refresh rate, but the A52s' display is noticeably superior.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable cameras, the A52s 5G likely has an edge thanks to its newer image processing capabilities and potentially improved sensor technology. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities, but the A52s is expected to deliver slightly better image quality, especially in low light. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) would be needed for a more precise comparison.
Performance
The Snapdragon 778G 5G in the A52s 5G is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 765G 5G in the A51 5G UW. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A52s. The A51 5G UW is still capable, but the A52s offers a more modern and responsive experience.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 113h, suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the A52s 5G's 25W wired charging is significantly faster than the A51 5G UW's 15W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW? Budget-conscious buyers looking for 5G connectivity and a reliable Samsung experience. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G? Users prioritizing performance, a vibrant display, faster charging, and a more modern chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the A52s 5G worth the extra money?
Yes, the A52s 5G offers significant improvements in performance and display quality, making it a worthwhile upgrade if your budget allows.
❓ Which phone has better 5G connectivity?
Both phones support 5G, but the A52s 5G's newer chipset might offer slightly better 5G speeds and efficiency.