Both the vivo X50 Lite and the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent attempts to bring 5G connectivity to a more accessible price point. However, they achieve this with significantly different internal hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on how the chipset choices impact real-world performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and smoother multitasking, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 765G offers a substantial performance uplift over the X50 Lite’s Snapdragon 665, justifying the slight price premium and making it more capable for demanding apps and 5G networks.
| 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 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 | 2020, May 12. Released 2020, May 12 | 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 | 190.2 g (6.70 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 | 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 10, Funtouch 10 | 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, (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 | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 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 | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nebula Blue, Jade Black | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | V1937, 1937 | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 300 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 X50 Lite
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly weaker performance
- Less efficient chipset
- Limited 5G capabilities
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 765G
- Integrated 5G modem for better efficiency
- More advanced ISP for improved camera quality
- Slower 15W charging
- Potentially higher price
- May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness in nits or color gamut coverage) are unavailable, the focus here is on the chipset's ability to drive the display smoothly. The A51 5G UW’s more powerful GPU, stemming from the Snapdragon 765G, will likely result in slightly smoother scrolling and animations, even if the resolution and refresh rates are similar. The X50 Lite’s Snapdragon 665 may show minor stuttering with complex UI elements.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 765G is more advanced than the one in the Snapdragon 665. This means the A51 5G UW will likely exhibit better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The 765G’s ISP also supports more advanced features like 4K video recording at higher frame rates. While both phones likely include a standard macro lens, the processing power of the 765G will make a more noticeable difference in the final image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G, built on a 7nm process, is a significant step up from the vivo X50 Lite’s 11nm Snapdragon 665. The 765G features a Kryo 475 Prime core clocked at 2.4GHz, offering substantially better single-core performance. The 665 relies on Kryo 260 cores, maxing out at 2.0GHz. This translates to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the A51 5G UW. The 765G also includes an integrated 5G modem, while the X50 Lite relies on external components, potentially impacting efficiency. The A51 5G UW will handle graphically intensive games with higher frame rates and fewer dropped frames.
Battery Life
The vivo X50 Lite’s 18W charging is slightly faster than the A51 5G UW’s 15W charging. However, the Snapdragon 765G is more power-efficient than the Snapdragon 665. This means the A51 5G UW, despite potentially having a similar or slightly larger battery capacity (data unavailable), could offer comparable or even better real-world battery life due to the chipset’s improved efficiency. The faster charging on the X50 Lite will provide a quicker top-up, but the A51 5G UW’s efficiency may reduce the frequency of those top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo X50 Lite if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are on a very tight budget. Its Snapdragon 665 is sufficient for these everyday activities. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you prioritize a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, and the ability to handle more demanding applications, especially with the benefits of 5G connectivity. The 765G chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo X50 Lite struggle with modern 5G apps?
Yes, the Snapdragon 665 is a lower-tier chipset and may exhibit noticeable lag or slowdown when running demanding 5G applications. While it can connect to 5G networks, it lacks the processing power to fully utilize the bandwidth and features offered by those networks.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 765G can experience thermal throttling during prolonged gaming, but it's generally well-managed. The phone may get warm, and performance may slightly decrease after extended use, but it's unlikely to shut down or become unusable. The X50 Lite's 665 will likely throttle *more* aggressively due to its less efficient architecture.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the A51 5G UW truly useful, or is it just a marketing feature?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. However, the Snapdragon 765G's integrated 5G modem offers significantly faster download and upload speeds in areas with 5G availability, making it beneficial for streaming, downloading large files, and online gaming. The X50 Lite's external 5G component may be less efficient and offer a less consistent experience.
