Sony Xperia 10 II vs. Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Choices

The Sony Xperia 10 II and Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Xperia 10 II prioritizes exceptional battery endurance and a more traditional Sony experience, while the A51 5G UW focuses on bringing 5G connectivity and a larger display to a wider audience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which aligns best with your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing longevity and a more compact form factor, the Sony Xperia 10 II is the better choice, boasting a remarkable 92-hour endurance rating. However, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW wins for those needing 5G access and a more modern chipset for demanding tasks, despite its shorter battery life.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 II Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 412, 4, 5, 13, 66
5G bands-260, 261 mmWave
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat11 600/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, February 242020, August 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, May 05Available. Released 2020, August 14
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions157 x 69 x 8.2 mm (6.18 x 2.72 x 0.32 in)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)
Weight151 g (5.33 oz)188.8 g (6.67 oz)
 IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~457 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 84.1 cm2 (~77.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLEDSuper AMOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12Android 10, One UI 2
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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
Triple12 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0"-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0"32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio, RDS, recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -ANT+
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD, QC315W wired
Stand-by-Up to 672 h
Talk time-Up to 5 h
TypeLi-Po 3600 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Mint Green, Berry BluePrism Bricks Blue
ModelsXQ-AU51, XQ-AU52, SO-41ASM-A516V
PriceAbout 700 EURAbout 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)
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 92h-
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -28.8 LUFS (Average)-
Performance AnTuTu: 196545 (v8) GeekBench: 5679 (v4.4), 1413 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Sony Xperia 10 II

  • Exceptional 92-hour battery life
  • Faster 18W charging with PD/QC3
  • More compact and manageable size

  • Older Snapdragon 665 chipset
  • Limited 5G connectivity

Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW

  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
  • More powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset
  • Likely larger and more vibrant display

  • Shorter battery life compared to Xperia 10 II
  • Slower 15W charging

Display Comparison

The Sony Xperia 10 II features a 6-inch display capable of reaching 520 nits of peak brightness, providing adequate visibility outdoors. The Galaxy A51 5G UW’s display specifications are not provided, but Samsung typically prioritizes vibrant colors and high brightness in this segment. The Xperia 10 II’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a standard LCD panel, while Samsung often employs AMOLED technology in the A51 series, offering superior contrast and potentially better color accuracy. Users sensitive to screen flicker may prefer the Xperia 10 II if it utilizes a higher PWM dimming frequency, a detail not specified but common in Sony’s display choices.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for both. The A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G includes an ISP capable of more advanced image processing, potentially leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range. Without specific sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the A51 5G UW’s chipset suggests a more modern image pipeline, offering potential advantages in computational photography. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device would be a significant advantage, but this information is not provided.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Sony Xperia 10 II’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 7nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to better sustained performance and potentially lower temperatures. The A51 5G UW’s CPU configuration – a 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold core, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver cores – offers a more robust multi-core performance compared to the Xperia 10 II’s Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver). This difference will be most noticeable in demanding applications and multitasking scenarios.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia 10 II’s standout feature is its exceptional 92-hour endurance rating, indicating remarkable battery life. While the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s battery capacity is unknown, it charges at 15W, slower than the Xperia 10 II’s 18W charging with Power Delivery (PD) and Quick Charge 3 (QC3) support. The Xperia 10 II’s faster charging standards, combined with its efficient chipset and optimized software, contribute to its impressive longevity. The A51 5G UW’s 5G connectivity will likely consume more power, further widening the gap in battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sony Xperia 10 II if you need a phone that can reliably last two full days on a single charge, value a more manageable size, and aren't heavily reliant on 5G connectivity. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you prioritize 5G speeds for streaming and downloads, enjoy a larger screen for media consumption, and need a more powerful processor for occasional gaming or multitasking.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 665 in the Xperia 10 II struggle with modern, graphically intensive games?
The Snapdragon 665 is a capable chipset for casual gaming, but it will likely struggle with demanding titles at higher settings. Expect to lower graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops in games like PUBG or Call of Duty: Mobile. The A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G offers a more comfortable gaming experience.
❓ How much will 5G connectivity on the A51 5G UW impact battery life?
Actively using 5G will significantly reduce battery life compared to Wi-Fi or 4G LTE. The A51 5G UW’s battery will drain faster when streaming, downloading, or gaming over 5G networks. The Xperia 10 II’s superior battery life provides a larger buffer to mitigate this impact if you occasionally use 5G.
❓ Does the Xperia 10 II support any form of fast charging beyond 18W?
The Xperia 10 II supports 18W wired charging with Power Delivery (PD) and Quick Charge 3 (QC3) standards. While not the fastest charging available, these standards ensure relatively quick charging times with compatible chargers. It does not support wireless charging.