OnePlus Nord 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy A51 5G: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the Galaxy A51 5G’s Exynos 980, coupled with blazing-fast 80W charging. While the A51 5G still boasts respectable endurance, the Nord 5’s speed and future-proofing make it a worthwhile investment.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy A51 5G | OnePlus Nord 5 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-A516B/DS | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - SM-A516B/DS | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - SM-A516B/DS | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A516U | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 08 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, April 29 | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.26 x 2.90 x 0.34 in) | 163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Exynos 980 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP5 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama |
| 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 | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, proximity, compass |
| ANT+ | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Prism Cube Black, Prism Cube White, Prism Cube Pink | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | SM-A516F, SM-A516F/DSN, SM-A516N, SM-A516B/DS, SM-A516B, SM-A516U, SC-54A, SM-A516U1, SCG07, SM-A5160 | CPH2709 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | £ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.50 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 90h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -29.5 LUFS (Average) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 316007 (v8) GeekBench: 1867(v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G
- Excellent battery endurance (90h)
- Lower price point (likely)
- Established Samsung ecosystem
- Outdated Exynos 980 chipset
- Slow 15W charging
- Dimmer display compared to Nord 5
OnePlus Nord 5
- Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
- Blazing-fast 80W charging (54 min)
- Bright and vibrant display (1330 nits)
- Reverse wired charging
- Slightly lower endurance rating than A51 5G
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5’s display is a clear winner, boasting a peak brightness of 1330 nits compared to the Galaxy A51 5G’s 642 nits. This translates to significantly better visibility outdoors, especially in direct sunlight. While both displays have an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the higher brightness of the Nord 5 provides a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. The A51 5G’s display, while adequate, feels dated in comparison, lacking the punch and clarity of the Nord 5’s panel.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited for the A51 5G. The Nord 5 benefits from a newer image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, likely resulting in improved image processing and noise reduction. Without specific sensor size data for the A51 5G, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Nord 5’s modern chipset provides a strong foundation for superior image quality. The A51 5G’s camera is likely adequate for casual photography, but the Nord 5 is expected to deliver more consistent and detailed results.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The OnePlus Nord 5’s Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is built on a more efficient node than the Galaxy A51 5G’s Exynos 980 (8nm), resulting in better thermal management and sustained performance. The Nord 5’s CPU configuration – a Cortex-X4 prime core alongside A720 and A520 cores – offers a significant architectural advantage over the A51 5G’s Cortex-A77 and A55 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience. The Nord 5 is better equipped for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A51 5G boasts an endurance rating of 90 hours, a respectable figure. However, the OnePlus Nord 5 counters with a 49:12h endurance rating and a remarkable 13:47h active use score. Crucially, the Nord 5’s 80W wired charging dramatically reduces downtime, achieving a full charge in just 54 minutes. The A51 5G’s 15W charging is comparatively slow. While the A51 5G may last longer on a single charge, the Nord 5’s rapid charging capabilities minimize the impact of battery drain, making it more convenient for users who frequently top up their devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G if you prioritize long-term battery endurance and are on a very tight budget, accepting a noticeable performance deficit. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you value speed, responsiveness, and significantly faster charging, and are willing to spend a bit more for a more modern and capable device. The Nord 5 is ideal for gamers and power users.