Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW and the A53 5G can be tough. Both offer 5G connectivity and a solid Samsung experience, but they have key differences. This comprehensive comparison will break down the specs, performance, and features to help you decide which phone is the best fit for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A53 5G generally wins thanks to its brighter display, faster charging, and more modern chipset. However, the A51 5G UW might appeal to those prioritizing a slightly more compact design and potentially better availability depending on region and carrier deals.
| 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, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U |
| 5G bands | 260, 261 mmWave | 2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 14 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, August 14 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 158.8 x 73.4 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.89 x 0.34 in) | 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 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 (~85.4% 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 (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| 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), 1/1.7X", 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@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent) |
| | 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-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prism Bricks Blue | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | SM-A516V | SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL |
| Price | About 470 EUR | $ 151.42 / £ 185.00 / € 169.14 |
| SAR | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.32 W/kg (body) | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.60 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9)
GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- Potentially more compact design
- Good 5G connectivity (UW optimized)
- Generally more affordable (depending on deals)
- Slower charging (15W)
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 765G)
- Lower display brightness
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- Brighter display (830 nits)
- Faster charging (25W)
- More modern chipset (Exynos 1280)
- Excellent battery life
- Potentially larger size
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The A53 5G boasts a significant advantage with its 830 nits max brightness, offering much better visibility outdoors compared to the A51 5G UW. The A53's 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deeper blacks and richer colors, though real-world performance can vary. Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays, ensuring vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the A53 5G likely has improvements in image processing and low-light performance due to its newer chipset and potentially updated sensors. Specific camera specs are missing, but generally, newer models benefit from advancements in computational photography.
Performance
The A53 5G's Exynos 1280 (5nm) chipset is a clear upgrade over the A51 5G UW's Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The newer architecture and smaller process node translate to improved efficiency and performance, especially in demanding tasks and gaming. While the A51 5G UW is still capable, the A53 5G offers a smoother and more responsive experience.
Battery Life
Both phones are reported to have an endurance rating of 113h, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the A53 5G's 25W wired charging is a significant improvement over the A51 5G UW's 15W charging, allowing for faster top-ups.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW? Users seeking a more compact phone and potentially better deals through UW carrier partnerships. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G? Those prioritizing a brighter display, faster charging, and a more modern processor for improved performance and future-proofing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G worth the upgrade from the A51 5G UW?
Generally, yes. The A53 5G offers a brighter display, faster charging, and a more powerful processor. However, consider your budget and whether the improvements are significant enough for your needs.
❓ Which phone has better 5G performance?
The A51 5G UW is optimized for UW (Ultra Wideband) 5G, potentially offering faster speeds on compatible networks. The A53 5G supports standard 5G, providing broad compatibility.
