The vivo V17 (Russia) and Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent different approaches to the mid-range 5G market. The V17, likely positioned as a value-focused option in its region, utilizes the Snapdragon 665. The A51 5G UW, aimed at the US market with Verizon's UW 5G, steps up to the more powerful Snapdragon 765G. This comparison dissects the implications of this chipset difference and other key specs to determine which phone delivers the best experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is the clear winner. The Snapdragon 765G offers a significant performance uplift over the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo V17, justifying the potential price difference. However, the V17 remains a viable option for basic users on a tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/150 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, December | 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.3 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.34 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-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 186.7 g (6.60 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-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) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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 | 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 672 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cloud Blue, Blue Fog | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | V1945A, V1945T | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 330 EUR | 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) |
vivo V17 (Russia)
- Potentially lower price point
- Faster wired charging (18W)
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly weaker performance due to Snapdragon 665
- Less future-proof
- Likely inferior camera performance
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 765G
- 5G connectivity (including Verizon UW)
- Better camera capabilities
- Slower wired charging (15W)
- Potentially higher price
- May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so we must infer. Given the market positioning, the A51 5G UW likely features a larger, higher-resolution display than the V17. More importantly, the Snapdragon 765G's superior GPU will be better equipped to drive higher refresh rates if the A51 5G UW supports them. The V17, constrained by its chipset, will likely offer a standard 60Hz experience. Color accuracy and peak brightness will likely favor the A51 5G UW due to its higher-tier components.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the A51 5G UW’s chipset likely supports more advanced image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, leading to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. The Snapdragon 765G’s ISP can handle higher resolution sensors and faster capture rates. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the A51 5G UW is more likely to include features like optical image stabilization (OIS) on its main sensor, resulting in sharper photos and smoother videos. The V17's camera will be adequate for casual use, but the A51 5G UW will offer a more refined photographic experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the vivo V17’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 7nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to better sustained performance and less thermal throttling. The 765G’s CPU configuration – 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver – provides a more robust core arrangement than the V17’s 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding applications like games and video editing. The 765G also includes a more capable Adreno GPU, further widening the performance gap.
Battery Life
The vivo V17 charges at 18W, while the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW charges at 15W. While the V17 has a faster charging rate on paper, the Snapdragon 765G’s improved power efficiency in the A51 5G UW could offset this difference in real-world usage. The A51 5G UW’s more efficient chipset will draw less power during typical tasks, potentially resulting in comparable or even longer battery life despite the slower charging speed. Without knowing the battery capacities of each device, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the 765G’s efficiency is a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo V17 (Russia) if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and prioritize affordability above all else. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you want a smoother, more responsive experience for multitasking, gaming, and leveraging 5G connectivity, especially on Verizon's Ultra Wideband network.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 765G is generally efficient, but prolonged gaming can generate heat. While the A51 5G UW likely has thermal management features, it may experience some throttling to prevent overheating, potentially reducing frame rates over extended periods. The V17, with its less powerful chipset, will likely throttle sooner but also generate less overall heat.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW truly beneficial for most users?
The benefit of 5G depends heavily on your location and carrier. The A51 5G UW is specifically designed for Verizon's Ultra Wideband (UW) 5G network, which offers the fastest speeds. However, UW 5G coverage is limited. If you're primarily in areas with only Sub-6 5G or 4G LTE, the performance difference may be minimal. The Snapdragon 765G's modem is also backward compatible with older network technologies.
❓ How will the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo V17 handle multitasking compared to the 765G?
The Snapdragon 765G's more powerful CPU and increased RAM bandwidth will provide a significantly smoother multitasking experience. The V17's Snapdragon 665 may struggle with numerous apps open simultaneously, leading to lag and app reloading. The 765G's architecture is designed for more efficient handling of multiple processes.
