Samsung Galaxy A51 5G vs Motorola Moto G 5G: A Deep Dive into Battery, Performance, and Display

The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G and Motorola Moto G 5G represent compelling options in the mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their approach to battery life, display technology, and processing power. This comparison dissects these differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity, the Motorola Moto G 5G emerges as the clear winner. Its significantly superior 131-hour endurance rating overshadows the A51 5G’s brighter display. However, the A51 5G remains a viable option for those who prioritize a slightly brighter screen and Samsung’s software ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy A51 5G Motorola Moto G 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-A516B/DSHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - SM-A516B/DS1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43
5G bands41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-A516B/DS1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A516U-
Launch
Announced2020, April 082020, November 05. Released 2020, December 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, April 29Discontinued
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions158.9 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.26 x 2.90 x 0.34 in)166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm (6.54 x 3.00 x 0.39 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight187 g (6.60 oz)212 g (7.48 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLEDIPS LCD, HDR10
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)
ChipsetExynos 980 (8 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP5Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5Android 10
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 2 MP (macro), AF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radio, RDS, recordingFM radio, RDS
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 ANT+-
Battery
Charging15W wired20W wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPrism Cube Black, Prism Cube White, Prism Cube PinkVolcanic Gray, Frosted Silver
ModelsSM-A516F, SM-A516F/DSN, SM-A516N, SM-A516B/DS, SM-A516B, SM-A516U, SC-54A, SM-A516U1, SCG07, SM-A5160-
PriceAbout 180 EURAbout 90 EUR
SAR EU0.50 W/kg (head)     1.55 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 90h Endurance rating 131h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: 1419:1
Loudspeaker -29.5 LUFS (Average) -28.1 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 316007 (v8) GeekBench: 1867(v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 312461 (v8) GeekBench: 1980 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy A51 5G

  • Brighter display for outdoor use (642 nits)
  • Samsung One UI software ecosystem
  • Established brand recognition

  • Significantly shorter battery life (90h endurance)
  • Slower 15W charging
  • LCD panel with lower contrast

Motorola Moto G 5G

  • Exceptional battery life (131h endurance)
  • Faster 20W charging
  • Superior contrast ratio (1419:1)

  • Dimmer display (484 nits)
  • Motorola’s less feature-rich software
  • Potentially less brand recognition

Display Comparison

The Motorola Moto G 5G boasts a contrast ratio of 1419:1, significantly exceeding the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G’s nominal ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio. While ‘Infinite’ often indicates an OLED panel, the A51 5G utilizes an LCD, resulting in less true black levels. The A51 5G compensates with a measured peak brightness of 642 nits, outshining the Moto G 5G’s 484 nits, making it more readable under direct sunlight. However, the superior contrast of the Moto G 5G contributes to a more immersive viewing experience in typical conditions.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but lack detailed sensor information in the provided data. Given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on multi-camera systems with a primary sensor for detailed shots and auxiliary lenses for ultra-wide or macro photography. Without specific sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively assess image quality. However, Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 750G often delivers superior image processing, particularly in low-light conditions, compared to the Exynos 980’s ISP.

Performance

Both devices employ 8nm process technology, with the Samsung A51 5G featuring the Exynos 980 and the Motorola Moto G 5G utilizing the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G. Both CPUs share a similar octa-core configuration (2x2.2 GHz and 6x1.8 GHz), suggesting comparable multi-core performance. However, the Snapdragon 750G is generally regarded as more efficient and offers a more mature software optimization, potentially leading to better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. While both chipsets support 5G, the Snapdragon 750G’s modem is known for broader 5G band compatibility.

Battery Life

The Motorola Moto G 5G dominates in battery endurance with a remarkable 131-hour rating, dwarfing the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G’s 90-hour rating. This substantial difference suggests the Moto G 5G’s combination of a more efficient chipset and optimized power management yields significantly longer usage times. Furthermore, the Moto G 5G supports 20W wired charging, enabling faster replenishment compared to the A51 5G’s 15W charging. This means less time tethered to an outlet and more time enjoying the phone’s features.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G if you need a brighter display for outdoor visibility and prefer the Samsung One UI software experience. Buy the Motorola Moto G 5G if you prioritize exceptional battery life, faster 20W charging, and a more streamlined Android experience. The Moto G 5G is ideal for users who frequently travel or rely heavily on their phone throughout the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 980 in the Galaxy A51 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 980 is known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load. While capable of handling most games, extended gaming at high settings may lead to reduced performance as the chip attempts to manage heat. The Snapdragon 750G in the Moto G 5G generally offers better thermal efficiency, potentially resulting in more consistent performance during long gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Typically, 2MP macro cameras found in this price range offer limited detail and image quality. They often serve as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful photographic tool. Expect soft images with limited resolution, best suited for casual social media sharing rather than detailed inspection.
❓ Can the Motorola Moto G 5G reliably maintain 60fps in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 750G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps, but achieving consistently smooth performance will depend on the graphics settings selected. Lowering the graphics settings to medium or low is recommended to maintain a stable frame rate and avoid stuttering. The A51 5G may struggle to maintain 60fps consistently at higher settings.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Samsung's One UI and Motorola's near-stock Android on the Moto G 5G?
Samsung's One UI offers a feature-rich experience with extensive customization options and pre-installed apps. Motorola's software is closer to stock Android, providing a cleaner, more streamlined interface with minimal bloatware. This results in faster updates and a more responsive user experience, but fewer advanced features.