Galaxy A51 • Unlocked vs Galaxy A71 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A71 are Android smartphones released in late 2019 and early 2020, respectively. Both devices are part of Samsung's mid-range A-series, offering a balance of features and design. While they share a similar aesthetic and run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, the Galaxy A71 generally provides a larger display, enhanced performance, and a more capable camera system compared to the Galaxy A51.

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and repairability.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy A51 was announced in December 2019 and released in January 2020, while the Galaxy A71 was announced in December 2019 and released in January 2020. This means both devices are of a similar age.
• Software Support: Both the Galaxy A51 and A71 launched with Android 10 and were initially promised three major Android OS upgrades and four years of security updates. The 4G variant of the Galaxy A51 saw its software support end around February 2024, with the 5G variant receiving its last security update around June 2024. The Galaxy A71 also received updates up to Android 13 and four years of security patches.
• Repairability: The Galaxy A51 has a repairability score of approximately 6.5 out of 10. Key components like the battery and screen are individually replaceable, though the use of adhesive and numerous small parts can make repairs challenging for an average user, often requiring specialized tools. While a specific score for the A71 is not readily available, mid-range Samsung phones from this period generally present similar repair challenges and opportunities.

The performance of a smartphone significantly impacts daily usability, from launching applications to handling demanding tasks. The Galaxy A51 and A71 offer different levels of processing power and battery endurance.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy A71 is equipped with a processor that generally offers a smoother experience for demanding applications and multitasking. In contrast, the Galaxy A51, with its internal processor, may exhibit some lag and slower app loading times, especially when multiple applications are open simultaneously.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A71 features a larger 4500mAh battery, while the Galaxy A51 has a 4000mAh battery. In real-world usage, the A71 generally provides longer battery life, particularly for activities like video playback and gaming, and supports faster 25W charging compared to the A51's 15W charging.
• Storage and RAM: Both devices typically come with 128GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD. The Galaxy A51 offers RAM configurations of 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB, while the Galaxy A71 is commonly found with 6GB or 8GB of RAM. Higher RAM options contribute to smoother multitasking and app management on both models.

The visual experience is a key aspect of smartphone use, and both the Galaxy A51 and A71 feature vibrant displays with some notable differences.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy A51 features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, while the Galaxy A71 boasts a larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display. Both offer a Full HD+ resolution of 1080x2400 pixels, providing clear and detailed visuals.
• Brightness and Clarity: The Super AMOLED Plus technology in the A71 generally offers better brightness and more vibrant colors, which can be particularly noticeable in outdoor viewing conditions. The A51's display is still capable, but the A71 provides a slightly more immersive visual experience due to its larger size and enhanced panel.
• Refresh Rate: Both devices feature a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which provides a smooth experience for everyday scrolling and content consumption.

Both the Galaxy A51 and A71 are equipped with versatile camera systems designed to capture a range of photos and videos.

• Camera System Capabilities: Both phones feature a quad-camera setup on the rear. The Galaxy A71 has a 64-megapixel main sensor, while the Galaxy A51 has a 48-megapixel main sensor. Both include a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, a 5-megapixel macro lens, and a 5-megapixel depth sensor. For selfies, both devices are equipped with a 32-megapixel front-facing camera.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy A71 generally produces sharper images with better texture and more accurate color reproduction, especially from its main camera in good lighting conditions. The A51's main camera can sometimes show less detail and less accurate colors. While both struggle in very low-light environments, the A71 tends to perform slightly better.
• Video Recording: Both models support 4K video recording at 30 frames per second. Neither device offers optical image stabilization, which means video footage may show some shakiness.