Samsung Galaxy A91 vs A51 5G UW: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Samsung Galaxy A91 and A51 5G UW represent different approaches to the mid-range market. The A91, released with a flagship-tier Snapdragon 855, aimed for raw power. The A51 5G UW, leveraging the Snapdragon 765G, prioritized 5G connectivity and efficiency. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy A91 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855 offers a significant performance advantage over the A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G. However, the A51 5G UW provides a more balanced package with 5G connectivity at a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy A91 Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE2, 4, 5, 13, 66
5G bands-260, 261 mmWave
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
AnnouncedNot announced yet2020, August 14
StatusCancelledAvailable. Released 2020, August 14
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions-158.8 x 73.4 x 8.6 mm (6.25 x 2.89 x 0.34 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM (pre-installed)
Weight-188.8 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm26.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLEDSuper AMOLED
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10, One UIAndroid 10, One UI 2
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED 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
Single-5 MP, AF
Triple48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio-FM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) ANT+ANT+
Battery
Charging45W wired15W wired
Stand-by-Up to 672 h
Talk time-Up to 5 h
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhite, BlackPrism Bricks Blue
ModelsSM-A915FSM-A516V
Price-About 470 EUR
SAR-0.70 W/kg (head)     1.25 W/kg (body)    
SAR EU-0.59 W/kg (head)     1.32 W/kg (body)

Samsung Galaxy A91

  • Significantly faster processor with Snapdragon 855
  • 45W fast charging for quick power-ups
  • Potentially superior camera performance due to ISP and sensor size

  • Likely less power efficient than the Snapdragon 765G
  • May be harder to find and potentially more expensive

Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW

  • Integrated 5G connectivity
  • More power-efficient Snapdragon 765G chipset
  • Potentially lower price point

  • Noticeably slower processor compared to the Snapdragon 855
  • Slower 15W charging

Display Comparison

While display specifications aren't provided, the A91, positioned as a higher-tier device, likely featured a Super AMOLED panel with a higher peak brightness than the A51 5G UW. The A51 5G UW, being a more mainstream model, likely utilized a standard AMOLED panel. The difference in display quality would be noticeable in direct sunlight, with the A91 offering better visibility. Both likely featured FHD+ resolutions, but the A91 may have had a slightly higher pixel density.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the A91’s higher positioning, it likely featured a larger main sensor and potentially more advanced image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 855’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more capable than the 765G’s, allowing for faster image capture and better low-light performance. The A51 5G UW would likely focus on providing a versatile camera experience with a range of lenses, but the A91 would likely excel in image quality, especially in challenging conditions.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Galaxy A91’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm) boasts a more powerful CPU configuration – an octa-core setup with a 2.84 GHz Kryo 485 prime core – compared to the A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) with its 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core. This translates to significantly faster processing speeds for the A91, particularly in CPU-intensive tasks. The 855’s Adreno 640 GPU also provides a substantial graphical performance boost over the 765G’s Adreno 620. While both utilize 7nm fabrication, the 855’s architecture is geared towards higher peak performance, potentially at the cost of some efficiency. The A51 5G UW’s 765G prioritizes a balance between performance and power consumption, making it suitable for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn't specified, but the A91’s 45W wired charging is a significant advantage. This allows for a much faster 0-100% charge compared to the A51 5G UW’s 15W charging. Even if the A51 5G UW had a slightly larger battery, the A91’s faster charging would minimize downtime. The Snapdragon 765G’s efficiency could offset some of the A91’s charging advantage in real-world usage, but the A91’s ability to quickly top up is a major convenience factor.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A91 if you need uncompromising performance for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and value the convenience of 45W fast charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you prioritize 5G connectivity, a more efficient chipset for all-day battery life, and are willing to trade some processing power for a potentially lower price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the A51 5G UW handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 765G is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you’ll likely need to lower graphics settings for a smooth experience. The A91’s Snapdragon 855 will provide a significantly smoother and more consistent gaming experience at higher settings.
❓ How much faster is the 45W charging on the A91 compared to the 15W charging on the A51 5G UW?
The 45W charging on the A91 can potentially charge the phone from 0-100% in around an hour, while the A51 5G UW’s 15W charging could take over two hours. This difference is substantial and provides a significant convenience advantage for the A91.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 855 in the A91 get noticeably hotter during extended use compared to the A51 5G UW?
The Snapdragon 855 is known to generate more heat under sustained load than the Snapdragon 765G. While Samsung likely implemented thermal management solutions, the A91 may experience some throttling during prolonged gaming or video recording sessions, potentially impacting performance.