The Samsung Galaxy A50s and A51 represent Samsung’s continued push into the affordable smartphone market. While appearing similar at first glance, subtle but important differences exist. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which device offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers, particularly given the fluctuating price points of both models.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A51 is the better choice. While both phones share the same Exynos 9611 chipset, the A51’s significantly brighter 636 nit display and wider range of storage/RAM configurations justify the price difference, offering a more future-proof experience.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A515U | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December 12. Released 2019, December 16 | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 73.6 x 7.9 mm (6.24 x 2.90 x 0.31 in) | 158.5 x 74.5 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 2.93 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.0 | 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 | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (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 | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing
ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush Pink | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 |
| Models | SM-A515F, SM-A515F/DSN, SM-A515F/DS, SM-A515F/DST, SM-A515F/DSM, SM-A515F/N, SM-A515U, SM-A515U1, SM-A515W, SM-A515X, SM-S515DL | SM-A507F, SM-A507FN, SM-A5070 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | 0.80 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | $ 299.99 | - |
| 128GB 6GB RAM | $ 674.99 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | $ 211.50 | - |
| RENEWED | £ 179.00 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.1dB / Crosstalk -87.3dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 86h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.6 LUFS (Average)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 113051 (v7), 175363 (v8)
GeekBench: 5401 (v4.4), 1294 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 154761 (v7)
GeekBench: 5295 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A51
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Wider range of storage and RAM options
- Potentially better camera software processing
- Slightly better battery endurance
- Higher price point
- 15W charging is relatively slow
Samsung Galaxy A50s
- Lower price point
- Reliable Exynos 9611 performance
- Decent battery life (estimated)
- Samsung brand reliability
- Likely dimmer display
- Limited storage options (64GB)
- Potentially less refined camera software
Display Comparison
The most noticeable difference lies in the display. The Galaxy A51 boasts a peak brightness of 636 nits, a substantial improvement over the A50s (brightness data unavailable, but expected to be lower based on market positioning). This translates to better visibility outdoors and a more engaging viewing experience. Both phones feature an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, a marketing term indicating a high contrast level typical of AMOLED panels. However, without specific contrast ratio measurements for the A50s, the A51’s brighter panel is the clear advantage for users who consume a lot of media.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Given the A50s’s position as a more budget-oriented device, it’s likely the A51 benefits from more refined image processing algorithms. The A51’s wider range of storage options also allows for capturing more high-resolution photos and videos. Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the A51’s potential for better software optimization and storage capacity gives it an edge. It's important to note that both likely include lower-resolution auxiliary cameras (e.g., 2MP macro) that offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
Both the Galaxy A51 and A50s are powered by the Exynos 9611 (10nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This means performance will be virtually identical for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The A51 offers more RAM options (4GB and 6GB) compared to the A50s (assumed to be 4GB based on market segment), potentially improving multitasking capabilities, especially with the 6GB variant. Thermal management is expected to be similar, as the chipset and core architecture are identical.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A51 has an endurance rating of 86 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The A50s’s battery life is not specified, but given the identical chipset and similar battery capacities (estimated), it’s likely comparable. Both phones support 15W wired charging, which is relatively slow by today’s standards. The A51’s longer endurance rating suggests slightly better power efficiency, potentially due to display optimizations or software tweaks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 if you prioritize a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption and require more than 64GB of storage. It’s ideal for users who frequently watch videos, browse photos, or download apps. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A50s if you are looking for the absolute lowest price point for a Samsung device with a reliable processor and are comfortable with the base 64GB storage option. It’s a solid choice for basic smartphone tasks and users on a very tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 chip in either phone tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is a mid-range chip and can experience some throttling during extended, graphically intensive gaming. However, neither the A51 nor A50s are known for severe overheating issues. Expect some performance reduction after 30-60 minutes of demanding gameplay, but it shouldn't lead to complete shutdowns.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using for close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on phones in this price range offer limited image quality. The low resolution results in soft, often noisy images. While it can be fun to experiment with, don't expect professional-level macro photography from either the A51 or A50s.
❓ Can either the Galaxy A51 or A50s reliably run PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
Both phones *can* run PUBG Mobile, but achieving a consistent 60fps experience will depend on the graphics settings. Lowering the graphics to 'Smooth' or 'Balanced' is recommended for smoother gameplay. Expect some frame drops during intense action sequences, even with optimized settings.
❓ What storage options were available for the Galaxy A51 at launch, and how does that impact the price?
The Galaxy A51 launched with 64GB/4GB RAM, 128GB/4GB RAM, and 128GB/6GB RAM configurations. The 64GB model was the most affordable, while the 128GB/6GB RAM variant commanded a significantly higher price due to increased storage and multitasking capabilities. Prices have fluctuated since launch, so checking current retailers is essential.
