The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Umidigi G5 and Samsung Galaxy A24 4G both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The G5 focuses on affordability, while the A24 attempts to balance features with Samsung’s brand recognition and software experience. This comparison dives deep into the hardware to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G is the better choice. Its significantly more powerful Mediatek Helio G99 chipset and brighter display provide a smoother user experience and better visibility outdoors, justifying the slight price premium. However, the Umidigi G5 remains a viable option for those prioritizing absolute cost savings.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2023, April 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2023, May 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.7 x 8.8 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 162.1 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm (6.38 x 3.06 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Black, Jade Green, Lavender Purple, Pearl White, Space Gray | Black, Lime Green, Blue gradient, Dark red |
| Models | - | SM-A245F, SM-A245F/DS, SM-A245F/DSN, SM-A245M, SM-A245M/DS, SM-A245N |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.41 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) |
Umidigi G5
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Acceptable battery life for light use
- Weak processor struggles with demanding apps
- Low display brightness
- Slow charging speed
Samsung Galaxy A24 4G
- Powerful Mediatek Helio G99 chipset
- Bright and vibrant display
- Fast 25W charging
- Slightly higher price
- Samsung’s One UI can include bloatware
- May not have the absolute longest battery life in the segment
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A24 4G boasts a substantial advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1012 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a common pain point for budget phones. While the Umidigi G5’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls significantly short of this brightness level. The A24’s panel likely offers superior color accuracy and viewing angles, enhancing the overall media consumption experience. The lack of information on the G5’s panel type makes a direct comparison difficult, but it’s unlikely to compete with the A24’s brightness.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications for both devices are limited. However, the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise, potentially delivering more consistent and pleasing results. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, the A24’s sensor size and lens apertures are likely superior, allowing for better low-light performance and dynamic range. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A24 (based on typical Samsung A-series features) would further enhance image quality, particularly in video recording. The Umidigi G5’s camera system is expected to be more basic, focusing on providing acceptable results in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is considerable. The Samsung Galaxy A24 4G’s Mediatek Helio G99, fabricated on a 6nm process, is a far more efficient and powerful chipset than the Umidigi G5’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The Helio G99’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – outperforms the G5’s 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores in both single-core and multi-core tasks. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the A24. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. The G5 will struggle with demanding applications and games.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A24 4G has an endurance rating of 141 hours, indicating solid battery life. While the Umidigi G5’s battery capacity is unknown, the A24’s more efficient chipset and optimized software contribute to its longevity. Crucially, the A24 supports 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the G5’s 10W charging. This means the A24 can be topped up much more quickly, minimizing downtime. The faster charging speed is a significant convenience factor, especially for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi G5 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media, and your budget is extremely limited. You’ll be making compromises on performance and display quality. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive experience, a brighter and more enjoyable display for media consumption, and a more reliable software experience with Samsung’s One UI.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G prone to overheating during gaming?
The Helio G99 is generally well-managed in terms of thermals. While it can get warm during extended gaming sessions, the 6nm process and Samsung’s thermal design typically prevent significant throttling. Expect playable frame rates in most popular titles, but don't expect sustained peak performance for hours on end.
❓ How does the Unisoc T606 in the Umidigi G5 handle multitasking and app switching?
The Unisoc T606 is a budget chipset and will struggle with heavy multitasking. Expect noticeable slowdowns and app reloading when switching between multiple applications. It’s best suited for running one app at a time and avoiding demanding background processes.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G support VoLTE and VoWiFi on all carriers?
Support for VoLTE and VoWiFi varies by carrier and region. It’s crucial to check compatibility with your specific carrier before purchasing the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G to ensure you can access these features for improved call quality and connectivity.
❓ What type of storage does the Umidigi G5 use, and is it expandable?
While specific storage details aren't provided, budget phones like the Umidigi G5 typically use eMMC storage, which is slower than the UFS storage found in higher-end devices. Expandability via microSD card is likely, but the maximum supported capacity should be verified before purchase.
