vivo S7 vs Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW: A Detailed Comparison of Two 5G Mid-Rangers

The vivo S7 and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, promising similar performance, but diverge in key areas like charging speed and potentially, software optimization. This comparison dissects these differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing quick top-ups and potentially a slightly more streamlined software experience, the vivo S7 emerges as the winner. Its 33W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the A71 5G UW’s 25W, a crucial advantage for those constantly on the move. However, Samsung’s brand recognition and software features may appeal to others.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo S7 Samsung Galaxy A71 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 bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 412, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 66
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA260, 261 SA/NSA/mmWave
EDGEClass 10-
GPRSClass 10-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2020, August 03. Released 2020, August 082020, July 07
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, July 16
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back (Gorilla Glass 5)Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions158.8 x 74.2 x 7.4 mm (6.25 x 2.92 x 0.29 in)162.8 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM (pre-installed)
Weight170 g (6.00 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDSuper AMOLED Plus
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 620
OSAndroid 10, Funtouch 10.5Android 10, One UI 2.1
Memory
Call records30 dialed, 30 received, 30 missed calls-
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM
Phonebook1000 entries, Photocall-
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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
Single1.3 MP-
Triple64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual44 MP, f/2.0, (wide) 8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/240fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, 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
BrowserWAP 2.0/xHTML-
GamesYes-
JavaYes, MIDP 2.0-
MessagingSMS, MMS-
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -ANT+
Battery
Charging33W wired25W wired
Type4000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Gradient BluePrism Bricks Black
ModelsV2020ASM-A716V
PriceAbout 340 EUR-
SAR-0.50 W/kg (head)     0.78 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.59 W/kg (head)     -

vivo S7

  • Faster 33W charging for quicker top-ups.
  • Potentially more streamlined software experience.
  • Sleek and modern design (based on historical vivo trends).

  • Less established brand recognition compared to Samsung.
  • Software updates may be less frequent.

Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW

  • Strong brand reputation and customer support.
  • Samsung’s One UI offers a feature-rich software experience.
  • Wider availability and carrier support.

  • Slower 25W charging.
  • One UI can be resource-intensive, potentially impacting performance.
  • Potentially more bloatware.

Display Comparison

While specific display specs beyond the chipset are unavailable, both phones likely feature AMOLED panels given the market segment. The vivo S7, historically, leans towards brighter, more saturated displays. The difference in display quality will likely be minimal for everyday use, but the vivo S7 may offer a more vibrant viewing experience. Bezels are expected to be comparable, reflecting the design trends of 2020. Color accuracy will depend on software calibration, a potential area where Samsung’s experience could give it an edge.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, both phones likely feature multi-camera setups with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens. The image processing style will be a key differentiator. Samsung typically favors vibrant, saturated colors, while vivo often aims for a more natural look. The quality of the main sensor and aperture will be critical for low-light performance. Ignoring the likely inclusion of 2MP macro lenses on both devices, the primary sensor's size and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) will be the deciding factors in image quality.

Performance

Both the vivo S7 and Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. Performance differences will likely stem from RAM management and software optimization. The Snapdragon 765G is capable of handling most everyday tasks and even moderate gaming, but sustained performance could be limited by thermal throttling. The lack of LPDDR5x RAM specification suggests both devices likely use LPDDR4X, which is adequate but not the fastest available.

Battery Life

The vivo S7’s 33W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW’s 25W wired charging. This translates to significantly faster charging times, potentially reducing a full charge from 0-100% by 30-60 minutes. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the vivo S7 mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. For users who prioritize minimizing downtime, the vivo S7 is the superior choice.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo S7 if you need faster charging speeds and value a sleek design. This phone is ideal for users who frequently find themselves needing a quick power boost throughout the day. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW if you prefer the Samsung ecosystem, a more established brand reputation, and potentially a wider range of software features, even if it means sacrificing some charging speed. It's a solid choice for users who prioritize familiarity and a comprehensive feature set.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the vivo S7 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings. However, expect some frame drops during intense firefights due to thermal throttling. Optimizing game settings and ensuring adequate cooling will improve the gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the vivo S7 compared to the 25W charging on the Galaxy A71 5G UW?
The 33W charging on the vivo S7 can reduce charging times by approximately 30-60 minutes for a full 0-100% charge. This is a significant advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
The 'UW' designation in the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G UW indicates support for Ultra Wideband 5G, which utilizes carrier aggregation to combine multiple 5G channels for faster data speeds. This is a key benefit for users in areas with strong 5G coverage.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
Samsung generally provides more consistent and longer-term software support for its devices compared to vivo. While vivo has improved its update cadence, Samsung’s commitment to software updates is typically more robust.