The vivo Y500, exclusive to the Chinese market, and the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent different approaches to the mid-range 5G smartphone. The Y500 boasts a newer, more powerful chipset and blazing-fast charging, while the A51 5G UW leverages Samsung’s brand recognition and established software ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and charging speed, the vivo Y500 is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 7300 chipset offers a significant leap over the Snapdragon 765G, and the 90W charging is unmatched. However, the A51 5G UW remains a viable option for those deeply embedded in the Samsung ecosystem and seeking a more readily available device.
| 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, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 260, 261 mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 01 | 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 05 | Available. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.1 x 75.9 x 8.2 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.32 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 | 213 g (7.51 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Diamond Shield Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2392 pixels (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.77 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 3840Hz PWM, 5000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G615 MC2 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 15, OriginOS 5 | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 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@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.1, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, 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/6, dual-band | 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 | 90W wired
Reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 672 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 8200 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Purple | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | V2506A | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 170 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 Y500 (China)
- Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 7300)
- Blazing-fast 90W charging
- Potentially better thermal management due to 4nm process
- Limited availability (China only)
- Display specifications unknown
- Camera details are scarce
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- Widely available and established brand
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Samsung’s One UI software ecosystem
- Slower processor (Snapdragon 765G)
- Slow 15W charging
- Less efficient 7nm process
Display Comparison
While specific display details for the vivo Y500 are unavailable, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display. The A51 5G UW’s AMOLED panel provides vibrant colors and deep blacks, a typical strength of Samsung displays. The Y500’s display quality is unknown, but given its price point, it likely utilizes an LCD panel. The key differentiator here is the chipset’s ability to drive higher refresh rates, a feature potentially supported by the Y500’s Dimensity 7300, but not confirmed. The A51 5G UW’s display is a known quantity, offering a solid viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the vivo Y500, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s ISP is known to deliver good image quality in well-lit conditions. The A51 5G UW’s camera system likely prioritizes Samsung’s image processing style, often characterized by vibrant colors and boosted contrast. The Y500, with its newer chipset, may benefit from improved image signal processing capabilities, but this remains speculative. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and optical image stabilization (OIS) on the Y500 makes a definitive assessment impossible. We can assume the A51 5G UW has a more refined and predictable camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y500’s Mediatek Dimensity 7300, built on a 4nm process, significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm). The Dimensity 7300’s octa-core configuration, with its Cortex-A78 performance cores clocked at 2.5 GHz, provides a substantial CPU performance advantage over the Snapdragon 765G’s Kryo 475 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 4nm node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 765G is still a capable chip, but it’s a generation behind and demonstrably slower.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s 15W charging is a significant drawback compared to the vivo Y500’s 90W wired charging. This difference is massive. The Y500 can likely charge from 0-100% in under 40 minutes, while the A51 5G UW will take well over two hours. While battery capacity isn’t specified for the Y500, the faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The A51 5G UW’s battery life is adequate, but the slow charging speed is a major inconvenience for power users. The Y500’s charging speed is a game-changer, offering minimal downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y500 (China) if you need raw processing power for gaming and demanding apps, and if you value incredibly fast charging that minimizes downtime. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you prefer Samsung’s One UI software, a wider availability of accessories, and a more established brand reputation, even if it means sacrificing some performance and charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Dimensity 7300 in the vivo Y500 powerful enough for demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Dimensity 7300 is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 765G and is well-equipped to handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at medium to high settings. The Cortex-A78 cores and improved GPU performance provide a smoother gaming experience, and the 4nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling.
❓ How much faster is the 90W charging on the vivo Y500 compared to the 15W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW in real-world use?
The difference is dramatic. The vivo Y500 can likely charge from 0% to 100% in under 40 minutes, while the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW will take over two hours. This means you can quickly top up the Y500 during short breaks, whereas the A51 5G UW requires overnight charging for a full refill.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW receive software updates and security patches regularly?
Samsung generally provides good software support for its devices. The A51 5G UW has received several Android updates and security patches since its release, but the frequency of updates may have slowed down as it's an older model. Check Samsung's official website for the latest update information.
