Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW vs A53 5G: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing between Samsung's Galaxy A series can be tough. Both the A71 5G UW and A53 5G offer compelling features at mid-range prices, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone is the right fit for you.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The A53 5G generally edges out the A71 5G UW thanks to its more efficient chipset, brighter display, and slightly more modern design. However, the A71 5G UW's Snapdragon 765G still provides solid performance, especially for those needing UW band support.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW	Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U
5G bands	260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave	2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	-	2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V

Launch
Announced	2020, July 07	2022, March 17
Status	Available. Released 2020, July 16	Available. Released 2022, March 24

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	162.8 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)	159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM (pre-installed)	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	188 g (6.63 oz)	189 g (6.67 oz)
	-	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size	6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Super AMOLED Plus	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)	Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)	Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 620	Mali-G68
OS	Android 10, One UI 2.1	Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM	128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	UFS 2.1	-

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad	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	64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single	-	32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; 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	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.1, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	No	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, compass, barometer (market/region dependent)
	ANT+	Virtual proximity sensing

Battery
Charging	25W wired	25W wired
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Prism Bricks Black	Black, White, Blue, Peach
Models	SM-A716V	SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL
Price	-	$ 151.42 / £ 185.00 / € 169.14
SAR	0.50 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body)	0.75 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	0.89 W/kg (head) 1.60 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 113h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9) GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OUR TESTS
Battery (old)	-	Endurance rating 113h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	830 nits max brightness (measured)
Loudspeaker	-	-26.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9) GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW

Larger 6.7-inch display
UW Band Support
Solid Performance
Good Value

Older Chipset
Lower Brightness Display
Slower Charging (compared to potential competitors)

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

Brighter Display
More Efficient Chipset
Improved Camera Performance
Modern Design

Smaller Display (6.5 inches)
No UW Band Support
25W Charging

Display Comparison

The A53 5G boasts a significant advantage with its measured 830 nits max brightness, making it much easier to view outdoors. While the A71 5G UW has a large 6.7-inch display, the A53 5G's 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deeper blacks and better overall image quality. Both offer FHD+ resolution, but the A53's brightness is a key differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the A53 5G is generally considered to have a slight edge. While specific camera specs are not provided, the A53 5G's newer image processing capabilities and potentially improved sensor technology contribute to better image quality, especially in low light. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities.

Performance

The A53 5G's Exynos 1280 (5nm) generally outperforms the A71 5G UW's Snapdragon 765G (7nm) in efficiency and sustained performance. While the A71 5G UW's CPU configuration is decent, the Exynos 1280's newer architecture and smaller process node provide a noticeable boost in everyday tasks and gaming. The A71 5G UW does offer UW band support, a potential advantage for some users.

Battery Life

Both phones share a 25W wired charging speed. The A53 5G boasts an endurance rating of 113h, suggesting superior battery efficiency thanks to its more modern chipset. The A71 5G UW's battery life is likely still respectable, but not as impressive as the A53 5G.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW is ideal for users prioritizing UW band compatibility and a larger display. The A53 5G is a better choice for those seeking a brighter screen, improved efficiency, and a more modern design with a focus on camera capabilities.