Choosing between Samsung's Galaxy A series can be tough, especially when both offer 5G connectivity. The A51 5G UW and A71 5G UW are compelling mid-range options, but which one truly delivers the best value? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A71 5G UW edges out the A51 5G UW thanks to its faster charging and slightly larger display. However, the A51 5G UW remains a strong contender, particularly if you prioritize a more compact design and potentially a lower price point. Both offer excellent 5G performance.
| 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 | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66 |
| 5G bands | 260, 261 mmWave | 260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 14 | 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, August 14 | Available. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.8 x 73.4 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.89 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 (pre-installed) | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% 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 (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2 | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB 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 | 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 |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; 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 | 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 | 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, proximity, compass |
| | ANT+ | ANT+ |
| 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 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prism Bricks Blue | Prism Bricks Black |
| Models | SM-A516V | SM-A716V |
| Price | About 470 EUR | - |
| SAR | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) | 0.50 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.32 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- More compact design
- Excellent 5G performance
- Good value for money
- Vibrant display
- Slower 15W charging
- Less versatile camera system compared to A71
- Potentially slightly less battery life
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
- Larger, more immersive display
- Faster 25W charging
- More versatile camera system
- Slightly longer battery life
- Larger size may be less comfortable for some
- Potentially higher price
- Performance virtually identical to A51
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A71 5G UW boasts a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display compared to the A51 5G UW's 6.5-inch screen. Both offer vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles, but the A71's larger size provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. Resolution is likely similar (FHD+), so sharpness is comparable.
Camera Comparison
The A71 5G UW generally has a more versatile camera system. While both feature a main 48MP sensor, the A71 typically includes a dedicated macro lens and potentially a slightly better ultrawide lens. The A51 5G UW's camera is still capable of producing excellent photos, but the A71 offers more creative options. Expect similar selfie camera performance.
Performance
Both phones share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G 5G chipset and octa-core CPU, meaning performance will be very similar in everyday tasks and most games. You shouldn't notice a significant difference in speed or responsiveness. However, the A71 might handle slightly more demanding games with marginally better sustained performance due to potentially better thermal management.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A71 5G UW has a larger 4500mAh battery compared to the A51 5G UW's 4000mAh battery. Coupled with its 25W fast charging, it offers noticeably faster charging and potentially slightly longer battery life, especially with heavy usage.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is ideal for users who want a more pocketable 5G phone and are comfortable with 15W charging. It's a great choice for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW is better suited for those who value a larger, more immersive display, faster charging speeds, and a slightly more premium feel, even if it comes at a slightly higher cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 765G 5G good for gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G 5G is a capable chipset for mobile gaming, handling most games smoothly at medium to high settings. However, it's not as powerful as flagship chipsets.
❓ What is UW in Galaxy A51 5G UW and A71 5G UW?
UW stands for Ultra Wideband. It refers to the phone's support for 5G connectivity using wider bandwidths, potentially offering faster speeds in areas with good coverage.