Samsung A71 Vs A51 5g Is It Worth Upgrading Or Are They Basically The Same

When Samsung released both the Galaxy A71 and the A51 5G within a year of each other, many users were left wondering: is there enough difference to justify an upgrade? On paper, the devices look similar—same design language, comparable displays, and overlapping features. But under the surface, key distinctions in connectivity, processor performance, and future-proofing could sway your decision. This detailed breakdown goes beyond marketing specs to evaluate whether moving from the A71 to the A51 5G makes practical sense—or if you're better off staying put.

Design and Display: Nearly Identical, But Not Quite

At first glance, the Galaxy A71 and A51 5G appear almost indistinguishable. Both feature Samsung’s sleek Infinity-O AMOLED display with a centered punch-hole camera, slim bezels, and a glossy plastic back that catches light elegantly. They’re available in similar colorways and share the same general footprint, making them comfortable for one-handed use despite their 6.5- to 6.7-inch screens.

The A71 sports a slightly larger 6.7-inch display compared to the A51 5G’s 6.5 inches, but the resolution remains the same at Full HD+ (1080 x 2400). Both deliver vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent outdoor visibility thanks to the AMOLED technology. However, neither supports high refresh rates—a notable omission in today’s mid-range market.

Tip: Use dark mode on these AMOLED screens to reduce eye strain and extend battery life.

The structural differences are minimal. The A71 is marginally taller and heavier (179g vs 176g), but the real distinction lies in build materials and internal layout. The A51 5G uses a more compact internal design to accommodate the 5G modem, which affects heat dissipation and long-term durability during intensive tasks.

Performance and Processor: Where the Real Difference Lies

This is where the two phones diverge significantly. The Galaxy A71 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G, a capable mid-tier chipset known for smooth multitasking and decent gaming performance. It’s built on an 8nm process and includes optimizations for mobile gaming, making it a solid performer even in 2024 for everyday use.

In contrast, the A51 5G swaps out the Snapdragon for Samsung’s in-house Exynos 980 chip. While this SoC supports integrated 5G (a major upgrade), its overall CPU and GPU performance lags behind the Snapdragon 730G. Benchmarks show the Exynos 980 scoring around 10–15% lower in multi-core tasks and graphics rendering.

“Integrated 5G modems like the Exynos 980 improve efficiency, but often sacrifice peak performance to manage thermal output.” — Rajiv Mehta, Mobile Hardware Analyst at TechInsight Asia

In real-world usage, this means the A51 5G may feel slightly slower when launching apps or switching between heavy workloads. Gamers might notice minor frame drops in titles like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile. However, for social media, streaming, and messaging, the difference is negligible.

Connectivity: The 5G Factor That Changes Everything

The most compelling reason to consider the A51 5G is obvious: it supports 5G networks. The A71 is limited to 4G LTE, which means it won’t benefit from faster download speeds, lower latency, or improved network reliability as carriers expand 5G coverage.

If you live in an urban area with robust 5G infrastructure—such as Seoul, London, or New York City—the upgrade can be transformative. Downloading large apps, streaming 4K video, or joining cloud-based gaming services becomes noticeably smoother. Even video calls gain stability and clarity.

But if you're in a rural region or a country where 5G rollout is still in early stages, this advantage diminishes. In such cases, the A71’s superior processing power may offer a better day-to-day experience than the A51 5G’s next-gen connectivity.

Feature	Samsung A71	Samsung A51 5G
Processor	Snapdragon 730G	Exynos 980
Network Support	4G LTE Only	5G + 4G LTE
RAM Options	6GB / 8GB	6GB / 8GB
Storage	128GB (expandable)	128GB (expandable)
Battery	4500mAh	4500mAh
Charging Speed	25W (adaptive fast charging)	15W (standard fast charging)
Rear Cameras	64MP main + 12MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro + 5MP depth	48MP main + 12MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro + 5MP depth

Camera and Battery: Trade-offs You Should Know

Both phones offer quad-camera setups, but the A71 takes the lead in photography. Its 64MP primary sensor captures sharper images with better dynamic range, especially in daylight. Low-light performance also benefits from higher pixel binning and better software tuning on the Snapdragon platform.

The A51 5G’s 48MP main sensor produces good results but struggles more with noise and detail retention in dim environments. Video recording is capped at 4K@30fps on both devices, though the A71 tends to stabilize footage slightly better due to optimized ISP support from the Snapdragon chip.

Battery capacity is identical at 4500mAh, but charging speed differs. The A71 supports 25W adaptive fast charging, allowing a full charge in about 60 minutes. The A51 5G is limited to 15W, pushing that time closer to 90 minutes—a meaningful gap for heavy users.

Tip: Enable “Optimized Charging” in settings to prolong battery lifespan by reducing overnight degradation.

Real-World Example: Maria’s Upgrade Dilemma

Maria, a freelance graphic designer based in Chicago, used her Galaxy A71 for nearly three years. She loved its camera quality and screen clarity but grew frustrated with slow upload times when sending large design files. After researching options, she considered the A51 5G primarily for its 5G capability.

She upgraded and noticed immediate improvements in cloud sync speed and Zoom call quality. However, she also found that her favorite design app, Adobe Illustrator Draw, ran less smoothly than before. Over time, she realized the trade-off: faster internet came at the cost of local processing power.

Her solution? She began using lighter apps and offloading rendering tasks to her laptop. For her workflow, the connectivity boost outweighed the performance dip—proving that context determines whether an upgrade is worthwhile.

Is It Worth Upgrading? A Step-by-Step Decision Guide

Deciding between staying with the A71 or upgrading to the A51 5G depends on your priorities. Follow this step-by-step evaluation:

1. Assess your network environment. Do you have reliable 5G access at home, work, or frequently visited locations?
2. Evaluate your usage patterns. Are you a heavy downloader, streamer, or cloud user who would benefit from faster speeds?
3. Consider your current device’s condition. Is your A71 still performing well, or is it showing signs of slowdown?
4. Weigh camera importance. If photo quality is critical, the A71 holds an edge.
5. Think long-term. 5G support ensures better compatibility with future apps and services over the next 2–3 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the A51 5G use 5G on all carriers?

No. The A51 5G supports sub-6GHz 5G bands, which are widely available, but not mmWave. So while it works on most major carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, peak speeds will be lower than flagship phones with mmWave support.

Is the A71 still receiving software updates?

As of 2024, the A71 has reached its end-of-life for major Android version updates. It runs Android 12 with One UI 4.1 and receives only occasional security patches. The A51 5G, being newer, is eligible for longer update support, potentially up to Android 14.

Does the A51 5G overheat with 5G enabled?

Some users report mild heating during extended 5G use, particularly when downloading large files or streaming in high resolution. However, thermal throttling is managed well, and performance rarely drops below usable levels.

Final Verdict: Same Family, Different Priorities

The Samsung Galaxy A71 and A51 5G are not the same phone, despite their similarities. They represent two different philosophies: one prioritizing balanced performance and camera excellence (A71), the other betting on future connectivity at the expense of raw power (A51 5G).

If you already own an A71 and are satisfied with its performance, upgrading solely for 5G may not be worth the cost unless you're in a high-connectivity environment. However, if you're buying new or replacing a failing device, the A51 5G offers better longevity through updated software support and 5G readiness.

💬 Have you made the switch from A71 to A51 5G? Share your experience in the comments—your insights could help others make a smarter choice.