Samsung A51 Vs S8 Plus Is The Newer Model Actually Better Or Is The S8 Still Worth It

When choosing between two Samsung smartphones from different generations, it’s natural to assume that newer always means better. But is that really true when comparing the Samsung Galaxy A51 — released in early 2020 — with the flagship Galaxy S8 Plus, which debuted in 2017? While the A51 benefits from modern design trends and software support, the S8 Plus was built with premium materials and high-end specs for its time. This comparison dives into real-world performance, longevity, user experience, and value to determine whether upgrading to the A51 makes sense — or if holding onto an S8 Plus (or buying one secondhand) remains a smart move.

Design and Build Quality: Premium vs Practical

The Galaxy S8 Plus set a new standard for smartphone design upon release. With its curved edge-to-edge Infinity Display, glass back, and aluminum frame, it felt luxurious in hand. At the time, it was considered one of the most beautiful phones ever made. In contrast, the A51 adopts a more utilitarian approach: flat plastic back, polycarbonate frame, and a punch-hole front camera instead of the S8’s bezel-minimized forehead.

While the S8 Plus feels more premium, the A51 wins in practicality. Its flat back resists fingerprints better than the glossy S8, and the lack of curves makes it easier to grip without a case. The S8’s delicate glass body is also more prone to cracking, especially without protection. Both devices are similar in size, but the A51 is slightly heavier due to its larger battery.

Tip: If you value aesthetics and tactile quality, the S8 Plus still turns heads. For durability and ease of use, the A51’s design holds up better over time.

Display and Visual Experience

The S8 Plus features a 6.2-inch Quad HD+ (1440 x 2960) Super AMOLED display with HDR support — a top-tier screen even by today’s standards. Its pixel density exceeds that of the A51, resulting in crisper text and smoother image rendering. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and outdoor visibility remains excellent.

The A51, on the other hand, uses a 6.5-inch Full HD+ (1080 x 2400) Super AMOLED panel. While it’s larger and benefits from a taller aspect ratio, the resolution is lower. However, for most users, the difference isn’t drastic in daily use. The punch-hole cutout is less intrusive than the S8’s large top bezel, offering more usable screen space despite the older design language.

In direct sunlight, both perform well thanks to AMOLED technology, but the S8 Plus retains a slight edge in brightness and color accuracy calibration out of the box.

Performance and Software Longevity

This is where the gap becomes significant. The S8 Plus launched with the Exynos 8895 or Snapdragon 835 (depending on region), both powerful chips in 2017. Even now, they handle basic tasks smoothly — messaging, browsing, and media playback remain responsive. However, multitasking and app launches feel sluggish compared to modern mid-range processors.

The A51 runs on Samsung’s Exynos 9611, a mid-tier chip built on a more efficient 11nm process. It includes a hexa-core CPU and Mali-G72 MP3 GPU, delivering noticeably better day-to-day performance. Apps open faster, scrolling is smoother, and background processing is more reliable.

More importantly, software support favors the A51. The S8 Plus received its final major Android update with Android 9 Pie and security patches ended in 2021. Meanwhile, the A51 launched with Android 10, was upgraded to Android 12, and continues to receive periodic security updates as of 2024 — a critical advantage for security, app compatibility, and feature access.

“Long-term usability hinges not just on hardware, but on software support. A phone without updates becomes vulnerable and incompatible within a few years.” — David Kim, Mobile Security Analyst at TechShield Labs

Camera Comparison: Evolution vs Legacy

The S8 Plus came with a single 12MP rear sensor featuring Dual Pixel autofocus and f/1.7 aperture — exceptional for its era. Photos in good lighting are detailed and naturally colored, though dynamic range can be limited in high-contrast scenes. Low-light performance is decent but lacks computational enhancements like night mode.

The A51 counters with a quad-camera setup: 48MP main sensor (pixel-binned to 12MP), 12MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro, and 5MP depth sensor. The primary camera captures sharper images in daylight, and the ultra-wide lens adds versatility. More importantly, AI scene optimization and Night Mode significantly improve low-light photography — something the S8 simply cannot match without third-party apps.

Front cameras tell a similar story. The S8 Plus has an 8MP selfie shooter with good detail but inconsistent exposure. The A51’s 32MP front camera produces brighter, more flattering selfies, especially indoors.

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus	Samsung Galaxy A51
Release Year	2017	2020
Display	6.2\" QHD+ AMOLED	6.5\" FHD+ AMOLED
Processor	Snapdragon 835 / Exynos 8895	Exynos 9611
Rear Camera	12MP (f/1.7)	48MP + 12MP UW + 5MP Macro + 5MP Depth
Front Camera	8MP	32MP
Battery	3500mAh	4000mAh
Charging	Fast charging (wired only)	15W fast charging
Software Support	Ended (Android 9)	Ongoing (Android 12, security updates)
Water Resistance	IP68	None
Expandable Storage	No	Yes (up to 512GB)

Battery Life and Charging

The A51’s 4000mAh battery gives it a clear advantage in endurance. With moderate use — social media, streaming, and messaging — it easily lasts a full day and sometimes stretches into a second. The S8 Plus, with its smaller 3500mAh cell and less efficient processor, often requires charging by late afternoon.

Both support fast charging, but neither offers wireless charging — a notable omission on the A51 given its later release. The S8 Plus does retain IP68 water and dust resistance, which the A51 lacks entirely. This makes the older device more resilient in wet conditions, despite its age.

Real-World Example: Maria’s Upgrade Dilemma

Maria had been using her Galaxy S8 Plus since 2017. By 2023, she noticed apps crashing, slow boot times, and frequent overheating during video calls. She considered replacing it but found several refurbished S8+ units selling for under $100. Instead, she tested one against a used A51 priced at $140.

After a week-long trial, she chose the A51. “The camera made the difference,” she said. “I take photos of my kids every day, and the A51’s night mode works so much better. Also, WhatsApp doesn’t freeze anymore.” Her old S8 Plus, while still functional, couldn’t keep up with her current needs — proving that raw build quality isn’t enough without ongoing performance and software support.

Checklist: Should You Stick with the S8 Plus or Switch to the A51?

• ✅ Is your S8 Plus still running smoothly with no lag or crashes?
• ✅ Do you primarily use it for calls, texts, and light browsing?
• ✅ Are you comfortable with outdated software and no security updates?
• ✅ Do you value waterproofing and premium design over camera quality?
• ✅ Are you on a tight budget and find S8+ units very cheap?

If you answered “yes” to most of these, keeping the S8 Plus may still make sense. But if you want better photos, longer battery life, and reliable app performance, the A51 is the logical upgrade — even years after its release.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Galaxy S8 Plus run Android 13 or 14?

No. The S8 Plus stopped receiving major OS updates after Android 9 Pie. It will never officially support Android 10 or beyond. Custom ROMs exist but come with risks and no official support.

Is the A51 waterproof?

No, the A51 does not have an IP rating for water or dust resistance. Unlike the S8 Plus, it should not be exposed to moisture or rain.

Which phone has better resale value now?

Neither holds strong resale value, but the S8 Plus tends to sell faster in the secondhand market due to brand nostalgia and premium build. However, the A51 offers better functionality for slightly higher pricing.

Final Verdict: Newer Isn’t Always Flashier, But It’s Smarter

The Galaxy S8 Plus remains a testament to Samsung’s design excellence. It looks and feels like a flagship, and in ideal conditions, it still performs adequately. But technology isn’t static. Without security updates, modern app compatibility, and camera intelligence, its usefulness diminishes rapidly.

The A51 may lack the prestige of the S8 Plus, but it delivers where it counts: consistent performance, better cameras, longer battery life, and continued software support. For most users in 2024, that makes it the superior choice — not because it’s flashy, but because it works reliably in today’s mobile ecosystem.

🚀 Ready to make a decision? Evaluate your actual usage. If you need a dependable daily driver, the A51 wins. If you’re nostalgic and use your phone minimally, the S8 Plus can still serve — but treat it as a backup, not your primary device.