The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 and Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Redmi Note 8, released in 2019, prioritized endurance and value, while the A51 5G UW, a later iteration, brought 5G connectivity to a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their core differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and faster data speeds, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the Redmi Note 8’s Snapdragon 665, and the inclusion of 5G is a compelling advantage, despite slightly slower charging.
| 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, 20, 38, 40 | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 260, 261 mmWave |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (4CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 29. Released 2019, October 16 | 2020, August 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, August 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 158.3 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.23 x 2.96 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 (pre-installed) |
| Weight | 190 (6.70 oz) | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | 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), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 | Android 10, One UI 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (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@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, 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 (rear-mounted), 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 | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Neptune Blue, Moonlight White, Space Black, Nebula Purple, Cosmic Purple | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | M1908C3JH, M1908C3JG, M1908C3JI | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | 0.26 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.19 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.32 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -94.0dB / Crosstalk -93.3dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 108h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1521:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 78dB / Noise 72dB / Ring 81dB
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 141915 (v7), 161572 (v8)
GeekBench: 5590 (v4.4), 1339 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8
- Exceptional battery life (108h endurance)
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Proven reliability and value
- Older, less powerful Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Potentially outdated display technology
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 765G chipset
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Likely improved display quality
- Slower 15W wired charging
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Higher initial cost (likely)
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications beyond the Redmi Note 8’s contrast ratio of 1521:1. Given the A51 5G UW’s later release, it likely benefits from improved color accuracy and brightness, but without specific nit ratings, it’s difficult to quantify. The Redmi Note 8’s contrast ratio suggests a decent viewing experience for everyday use, but the A51 5G UW likely offers a more modern and vibrant display.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, given the A51 5G UW’s positioning as a more modern device, it likely incorporates more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a larger sensor. The Redmi Note 8’s camera performance will be adequate for casual photography, but the A51 5G UW is expected to deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of sensor size information makes a definitive comparison impossible.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 7nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to better performance and potentially less heat generation. The A51 5G UW’s CPU configuration – a 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core, 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold core, and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver cores – provides a more robust architecture than the Redmi Note 8’s Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver). This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the A51 5G UW.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 8 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 108 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. The A51 5G UW’s battery capacity is not specified, but its more powerful processor and 5G connectivity will likely consume more power. While the A51 5G UW charges at 15W, slower than the Redmi Note 8’s 18W, the performance benefits of the 765G chipset may offset the slightly reduced battery life for many users. The Redmi Note 8 is the clear winner for users prioritizing maximum uptime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 if you prioritize exceptional battery life and a proven track record of reliability at the lowest possible price. It’s ideal for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you want a more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and gaming, and if access to 5G networks is a priority, even if it means sacrificing some battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 765G in the A51 5G UW handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run popular titles like PUBG and Call of Duty at medium to high settings. The 7nm process also helps with thermal management, reducing the risk of significant throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is 5G on the A51 5G UW compared to 4G LTE?
5G speeds on the A51 5G UW can be significantly faster than 4G LTE, potentially reaching speeds 10-100 times faster depending on network conditions and carrier support. However, actual speeds will vary based on your location and the availability of 5G infrastructure. It's important to check your carrier's 5G coverage map before relying heavily on 5G connectivity.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 8 still a good option in 2024?
The Redmi Note 8 remains a viable option for users on a very tight budget who prioritize battery life and basic functionality. However, its older chipset and lack of 5G connectivity mean it will struggle with more demanding tasks and won't benefit from the latest network advancements.
