The Samsung Galaxy A51 and A71 5G UW represent Samsung’s attempts to deliver compelling features at accessible price points. While both phones share a similar aesthetic, they diverge significantly under the hood. The A51, released earlier, focused on broad appeal, while the A71 5G UW aimed to capitalize on the burgeoning 5G network with a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value in 2024.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW is the superior choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset delivers a noticeable performance uplift over the A51’s Exynos 9611, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding applications. While the A51 boasts a slightly longer endurance rating, the A71 5G UW’s faster charging and 5G connectivity provide a more modern and 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 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A515U | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December 12. Released 2019, December 16 | 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 73.6 x 7.9 mm (6.24 x 2.90 x 0.31 in) | 162.8 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 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 (~87.4% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| 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 | 128GB 8GB 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 | 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 |
| 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 | 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, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing
ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush Pink | Prism Bricks Black |
| 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-A716V |
| Price | About 100 EUR | - |
| SAR | 0.80 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) | 0.50 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.59 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) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A51
- Excellent battery endurance (86h rating)
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Widely available
- Less powerful Exynos 9611 chipset
- Slower 15W charging
- Lacks 5G connectivity
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 765G chipset
- 25W fast charging
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Battery endurance rating not provided
- Potentially higher price than A51
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
Both devices feature displays designed for media consumption, but detailed specifications are limited for the A51. The A51’s measured peak brightness of 636 nits is respectable, ensuring visibility in most outdoor conditions. While contrast ratio is listed as 'Infinite (nominal)' for the A51, this is typical marketing language. The A71 5G UW’s display specifications are not provided, but given its positioning, it likely offers a similar experience. The lack of high refresh rate panels on either device is a notable omission, impacting smoothness during scrolling and gaming.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the A71 5G UW’s overall more advanced positioning, it’s reasonable to assume it benefits from improved image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to its low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A51 utilizes the Exynos 9611, a 10nm processor with an octa-core configuration (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53). The A71 5G UW, however, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, a more efficient 7nm chip with an octa-core setup (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver). The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 765G translates to better power efficiency and thermal performance, resulting in sustained performance under load. The Snapdragon’s Kryo cores also offer architectural improvements over the Cortex-A73/A53 combination in the Exynos, leading to faster application launch times and smoother multitasking.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A51 boasts an endurance rating of 86 hours, indicating excellent battery life for typical usage. The A71 5G UW’s battery endurance is not provided, but its more power-efficient chipset could potentially offset a smaller battery capacity. Crucially, the A71 5G UW supports 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the A51’s 15W charging. This translates to quicker top-ups and less downtime, a significant advantage for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 if you prioritize maximum battery endurance and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. You’ll also benefit if you find a significantly discounted unit. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you want a smoother, more responsive experience, faster download speeds with 5G, and a chipset capable of handling more demanding games and applications. The A71 5G UW is the better long-term investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the A51 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to throttle under sustained load due to its less efficient 10nm process. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles may experience frame drops and overheating after extended play. The A71 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G, with its 7nm process, manages heat more effectively.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the A71 5G UW actually useful, or is it just a marketing feature?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. However, if you live in an area with 5G access, the A71 5G UW will provide significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to the A51, especially for streaming, downloading large files, and online gaming.
❓ Are the 2MP macro cameras on either phone worth using?
Generally, no. The 2MP macro cameras on both the A51 and A71 5G UW offer limited detail and image quality. They are often included as a marketing feature but rarely deliver satisfying results. The main camera is far more versatile and capable.
❓ What kind of storage and RAM options were available for the A51, and how does that impact performance?
The A51 was sold in configurations of 64GB 4GB RAM ($211.50), 128GB 6GB RAM ($674.99), and 128GB 4GB RAM ($299.99). The 6GB RAM variant will provide a smoother multitasking experience compared to the 4GB models, especially when running multiple apps simultaneously. Storage capacity impacts how many apps, photos, and videos you can store on the device.
