Both the vivo S6 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at a reasonable price, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences and helps you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW emerges as the better choice. The Snapdragon 765G’s 7nm process and optimized CPU architecture provide a more consistent experience, while the 25W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the vivo S6 5G’s 18W solution.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 31. Released 2020, April 12 | 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 161.2 x 74.7 x 8.7 mm (6.35 x 2.94 x 0.34 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 (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10 | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 980 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP5 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 10.0 | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 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@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | - | 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, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White/Blue, Streamer Secret | Prism Bricks Black |
| Models | V1962A, V1962BA | SM-A716V |
| SAR | - | 0.50 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) |
vivo S6 5G
- Sleek and modern design (assumed based on vivo’s design language)
- Capable Exynos 980 chipset for everyday tasks
- Competitive price point (likely)
- 8nm Exynos 980 may exhibit thermal throttling
- Slower 18W charging
- Potentially less refined image processing
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW
- More efficient 7nm Snapdragon 765G chipset
- Faster 25W wired charging
- Optimized ISP for better image quality
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource intensive
- Potentially higher price compared to vivo S6 5G
- Design may be less striking than the vivo S6 5G (subjective)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are unavailable, the focus here is on the underlying processing power impacting UI smoothness. The Exynos 980’s GPU will handle basic display tasks, but the Snapdragon 765G’s Adreno 620 offers a more robust foundation for graphically intensive applications, potentially translating to smoother animations and faster app loading times. Bezels are likely comparable given the market segment, and color accuracy will depend on software calibration.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor specifications, a direct camera comparison is challenging. However, the market positioning suggests both phones will rely on multi-camera systems with a primary sensor handling most of the heavy lifting. The Snapdragon 765G’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally regarded as more advanced, offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. While both likely include standard features like portrait mode and night mode, the Samsung’s image processing pipeline will likely deliver more refined results. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and should not be a deciding factor.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW’s Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G, fabricated on a 7nm process, offers a clear architectural advantage over the vivo S6 5G’s Exynos 980 (8nm). The Snapdragon 765G utilizes a tri-cluster configuration with a Kryo 475 Prime core clocked at 2.4GHz, designed for peak performance, alongside Gold and Silver cores for efficiency. The Exynos 980, while featuring Cortex-A77 cores, operates on a less efficient node. This translates to potentially higher thermal throttling under sustained load on the vivo S6 5G, impacting gaming and demanding applications. The Snapdragon’s optimized CPU architecture will provide a more consistent experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but the charging wattage provides a significant differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW’s 25W wired charging is considerably faster than the vivo S6 5G’s 18W solution. This means the Samsung will reach a full charge in a shorter timeframe, minimizing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the vivo S6 5G could partially offset this, the faster charging speed of the Samsung is a tangible benefit for users who frequently need to top up their devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S6 5G if you prioritize a sleek design and are primarily focused on everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and light multimedia consumption. The Exynos 980 is capable, but best suited for less demanding workloads. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you value consistent performance during gaming, multitasking, and benefit from faster charging speeds, making it ideal for power users and those who rely heavily on their smartphone throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 980 in the vivo S6 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 980, being fabricated on an 8nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling compared to the Snapdragon 765G’s 7nm process. While it can handle casual gaming, extended gaming sessions with demanding titles may result in reduced performance as the chip heats up and downclocks to prevent overheating.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW significantly faster in real-world use?
Yes, the 25W charging is noticeably faster. Expect a full charge from 0-100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, compared to potentially over 2 hours with the vivo S6 5G’s 18W charging. This difference is particularly beneficial for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
❓ Which phone is better for multitasking and running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW, powered by the Snapdragon 765G, is better suited for multitasking. The Snapdragon’s more efficient CPU architecture and optimized memory management allow it to handle multiple apps running in the background with greater ease and stability.
