The vivo V17 and Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent different approaches to the mid-range 5G market. The V17, with its Snapdragon 675, aims for efficiency, while the A51 5G UW leverages the more powerful Snapdragon 765G to deliver a noticeable performance boost. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 765G offers a significant uplift in processing power and 5G capabilities compared to the vivo V17’s Snapdragon 675, despite slightly slower charging.
| 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, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November 23. 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 x 74.2 x 8.5 mm (6.26 x 2.92 x 0.33 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 | Nano-SIM (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 176 g (6.21 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 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 (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.9% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 23mm (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 | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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 | Admiral Blue, Glacier Ice White, Midnight Ocean Black | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | 1919 | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.25 W/kg (body) | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.32 W/kg (body) |
vivo V17
- Slightly faster wired charging (18W)
- Potentially more streamlined software experience
- May be available at a lower price point
- Less powerful Snapdragon 675 chipset
- Inferior GPU performance for gaming
- Less efficient processor leading to potentially shorter battery life
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- More powerful Snapdragon 765G chipset
- Superior GPU performance for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks
- Improved 5G connectivity
- More advanced ISP for better image processing
- Slower wired charging (15W)
- Potentially higher price point
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource-intensive
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 chipset impact. Both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The A51 5G UW’s more powerful GPU can potentially drive smoother animations and faster rendering of visual content, even if the raw resolution and refresh rate are similar.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor specifications, a direct camera comparison is challenging. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced than the 675’s, offering improved image processing capabilities. This translates to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The A51 5G UW is likely to produce more detailed and vibrant photos, even if both phones feature similar megapixel counts. The 765G’s ISP also supports faster image capture and more advanced features like AI scene detection.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G, built on a 7nm process, is a clear upgrade over the vivo V17’s 11nm Snapdragon 675. The 765G’s Kryo 475 Prime core (2.4 GHz) provides a substantial single-core performance advantage, crucial for responsive app launches and UI navigation. The 765G also features a more capable Adreno 620 GPU, translating to better gaming performance. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural improvements and process node shrink of the 765G result in significantly higher sustained performance and improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended use.
Battery Life
The vivo V17’s 18W wired charging is slightly faster than the A51 5G UW’s 15W charging. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s improved power efficiency can offset this difference. The 7nm process node consumes less power than the 11nm node of the Snapdragon 675. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the A51 5G UW’s more efficient chipset is likely to deliver comparable, if not better, real-world battery life despite the slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo V17 if you prioritize a slightly more streamlined user experience and are content with basic multitasking and light gaming. It’s a solid option for users who don’t heavily rely on demanding applications. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you want a phone capable of handling more intensive tasks, including 5G downloads, moderate gaming, and smoother multitasking. The 765G chipset provides a tangible performance advantage for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the A51 5G UW handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G’s Adreno 620 GPU is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won’t match flagship performance, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the Snapdragon 675 in the vivo V17.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW experience significant throttling during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 765G, built on a 7nm process, is more thermally efficient than the Snapdragon 675. While some throttling is inevitable, the A51 5G UW is less prone to severe performance drops during extended gaming compared to the V17. However, sustained performance will still be affected by ambient temperature and case design.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the A51 5G UW truly faster than 4G LTE?
The A51 5G UW supports 5G UW (Ultra Wideband), which, when available, offers significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G LTE. However, 5G coverage varies greatly by location. In areas with limited 5G coverage, the phone will fall back to 4G LTE.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the vivo V17 and the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW?
The Snapdragon 765G’s ISP in the A51 5G UW offers more sophisticated image processing algorithms. This results in better dynamic range, improved noise reduction, and more accurate color reproduction, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The V17’s ISP, while capable, is less advanced.
