The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T and Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Redmi Note 8T, while older, prioritized battery life and value, while the A51 5G UW aimed to bring 5G connectivity to a wider audience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and value, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T remains a compelling choice. Its exceptional 108-hour endurance rating significantly outweighs the Galaxy A51 5G UW’s faster processor, especially considering the A51 5G UW’s slower 15W 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, 28, 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, November 06. Released 2019, November 08 | 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 | 161.1 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm (6.34 x 2.97 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 | 200 g (7.05 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 (~80.2% 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, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC | 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, 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@30/60/120fps; 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 | Yes | 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 | Starscape Blue, Moonlight White, Moonshadow Grey | Prism Bricks Blue |
| Models | M1908C3XG | SM-A516V |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 470 EUR |
| SAR | 1.02 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.74 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.32 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -93.7dB | - |
| Battery life | Endurance rating 108h | - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1360:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 78dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 79dB | - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 141077 (v7), 167395 (v8)
GeekBench: 5620 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T
- Exceptional battery life (108h endurance)
- Faster 18W charging
- More affordable price point
- Less powerful processor
- Older chipset architecture
- Lower display brightness
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW
- 5G connectivity
- More powerful Snapdragon 765G processor
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Slower 15W charging
- Likely shorter battery life
- Higher price
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 8T features a display with a measured maximum brightness of 450 nits and a 1360:1 contrast ratio. While adequate for everyday use, it lacks the vibrancy and peak brightness found in more modern displays. The A51 5G UW’s display specifications are not provided, but given Samsung’s history with Super AMOLED panels, it likely offers superior color accuracy and contrast. However, the Note 8T’s contrast ratio, while nominal, suggests a decent viewing experience in controlled lighting. The absence of refresh rate data for both devices means neither offers a particularly fluid scrolling experience compared to newer models.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight. Without sensor size or aperture data, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the A51 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP), which should result in better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The Redmi Note 8T likely relies on software optimization to compensate for its less powerful ISP. The lack of detail suggests neither phone will excel in challenging photographic scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi Note 8T utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm), an octa-core processor geared towards efficiency. The Galaxy A51 5G UW boasts the Snapdragon 765G (7nm), a more powerful and efficient chip built on a smaller process node. This 7nm process allows the 765G to deliver more performance per watt, resulting in better sustained performance and potentially lower temperatures. The 765G’s CPU configuration – a 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core alongside a 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold core and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver cores – provides a more robust architecture than the Note 8T’s 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver setup. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the A51 5G UW.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 8T shines with an impressive endurance rating of 108 hours, indicating exceptional battery life. This is a significant advantage over the A51 5G UW, which lacks specific battery life data but is hampered by its slower 15W wired charging. The Note 8T’s 18W charging, while not the fastest available, is still quicker and will replenish the battery faster than the A51 5G UW. The 7nm process of the 765G in the A51 5G UW *should* offer better power efficiency, but the difference isn't enough to overcome the Note 8T's superior endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T if you need a phone that will reliably last a full day (and then some) on a single charge, and if you aren’t heavily reliant on 5G connectivity. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW if you absolutely require 5G access and are willing to compromise on battery life and charging speed for the benefit of faster data speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the Galaxy A51 5G UW offer a noticeable gaming improvement over the Snapdragon 665 in the Redmi Note 8T?
Yes, the Snapdragon 765G provides a significant performance boost over the 665, particularly in graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. While neither phone is a dedicated gaming device, the A51 5G UW will handle more demanding titles at higher settings with smoother frame rates. However, sustained performance may be limited by thermal throttling.
❓ How much faster is 5G on the Galaxy A51 5G UW compared to 4G on the Redmi Note 8T in real-world scenarios?
The speed difference between 5G and 4G varies greatly depending on network coverage and congestion. In ideal conditions, 5G can be several times faster than 4G, allowing for near-instant downloads and smoother streaming. However, in areas with limited 5G coverage, the difference may be minimal. The 'UW' designation suggests compatibility with mmWave 5G, which offers the fastest speeds but has the shortest range.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Galaxy A51 5G UW a significant drawback compared to the Redmi Note 8T's 18W charging?
Yes, the slower charging speed on the A51 5G UW is a noticeable disadvantage. While 3W may not seem like much, it translates to a longer time to fully charge the battery. The Redmi Note 8T will reach 100% faster, reducing downtime and making it more convenient for users who need a quick top-up.
