The spot for the best mid-range devices get tougher each year as more brands that dominate this space like Samsung and Xiaomi launch budget devices with amazing design and features each year, and now, OnePlus is in the market as well with its new OnePlus Nord with the new Snapdragon 765G (5G capable chipset), quad-camera setup, 8GB RAM, 4100mAh battery.
While the pricing is a bit on the high side unlike the Samsung Galaxy A51 and the Redmi Note 9S we’re comparing in this post, the device is a must look at, especially if you’re in one of the regions where its launched.
The Redmi Note 9S and Samsung Galaxy A51 are one of the hottest mid-range devices to buy in 2020, no doubt, with futuristic punch-hole selfie camera design and an amazing screen to body ratio, big battery, one with AMOLED screen, a big battery, 18w fast charging and so much more.
If you’re in the market for a new device and have narrowed your choices to these two devices, you’ll find this side by side comparison useful. Recently we held the Redmi Note 9S and did a quick specs post on it, we did the same for the Samsung Galaxy A51, is it waterproof? Now it’s time for a head to head comparison.
Let’s get to it.
Galaxy A51 vs Redmi Note 9S: Quick Specifications
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| Overview | Samsung Galaxy A51 | Redmi Note 9S |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | Released 2019, December 16 | Released 2020, April 30 |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2.1 | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| Display Type | Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors. | IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors. |
| Screen size and resolution | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio) 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Chipset and CPU | Exynos 9611 (10nm) Octa-core (4×2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) Octa-core (2×2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6×1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Storage Details | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Camera And Video | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0″, 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.2, 123Ëš (ultrawide) 5 MP, f/2.4, (macro) 5 MP, f/2.2, (depth) LED flash, panorama, HDR Video: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps; gyro-EIS | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0″, 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119Ëš (ultrawide), 1/4.0″, 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, (macro), AF 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) LED flash, HDR, panorama Video: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8″, 0.8µm Features HDR Video: 1080p@30fps | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06″ 1.0µm Features HDR, panorama Video: 1080p@30/120fps |
| battery | Non-removable Li-Po 4000 mAh battery Charging Fast charging: 15W | Non-removable Li-Po 5020 mAh battery Charging Fast charging: 18W |
| Buy | On Amazon. | On Amazon. |
Galaxy A51 vs Redmi Note 9S Head to Head Comparison
These two devices have been the top options to consider when looking to buy a phone under N130,000 or $250 right now, here’s how they stack up in terms of design, camera, features, and many aspects.
Galaxy A51 vs Redmi Note 9S Body And Design
The two devices are identical in design with a hole punch selfie cut out camera in the middle with a nice body to screen ratio. The Galaxy A51 weighs about 172 g (6.07 oz ~quite light) and has a ~87.4% screen-to-body ratio with corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection while the Redmi note 9S weighs about 209 g (7.37 oz ~quite heavy) and has a ~84.5% screen-to-body ratio with corning gorilla glass 5 protection.
It’s very clear, the Galaxy A51 wins this round with its super-light design plus it gives you more screen real estate than the Redmi Note 9S however the corning gorilla glass 5 protection on this device is something to consider if you’re the type that drops your phone a lot.
WINNER ~Samsung Galaxy A51.
Galaxy A51 vs Redmi Note 9S: Display
Display-wise, both are great, nothing fancy however like a higher refresh rate like the one you’ll find on the OnePlus 8 or Motorolla edge+. Screen brightness up to 450 nits on one of the devices so it gets fairly bright out in broad daylight. The Samsung Galaxy A51 has a 6.5 inches Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors with a 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) resolution while the Redmi Note 9S has a 6.67 inches IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors with a 1080 x 2400 pixels 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density).
The AMOLED screen on the Samsung A51 and higher ppi density make its display better with more vibrant colors than the LCD panel on the Note 9S. The Note sure has its own advantage as it’s 450 nits typ. brightness Redmi advertised means it can get very clear outdoors and HDR 10 makes display better for sure so, while it’s almost a tie here, you have to know that AMOLED screens produce better display and really brings out the color on your device display.
WINNER ~Samsung Galaxy A51.
Galaxy A51 vs Redmi Note 9S: CPU and Software
Software, CPU, and performance speaking, both phones are as mid-range as mid-range can be, i.e the latest software from both manufacturers obviously, chipset wise, the average stuff. Let’s just get to the details.
The Galaxy A51 comes out of the box with Android 10, One UI 2.1 and Samsung’s own Exynos 9611 (10nm) chipset with an octa-core CPU while the Redmi Note 9S runs Android 10, MIUI 11 out of the box with a Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) chipset and an octa-core CPU.
Speed and performance-wise, Snapdragon is ahead the Exynos based on tests and many other factors, this gives the Redmi a lead over the A51 plus there are just some subtle features MIUI has that is missing on One UI. Generally speaking, the Redmi Note 9S is just better in this case.
On memory and storage, both phones have a minimum of 4GB of RAM with 64GB, 128GB ROM options with expandable storage. TheNote 9S has another edge over the A51 as its 128GB version ships with 6GB RAM unlike the A51’s 4GB/128GB ROM.
WINNER ~Redmi Note 9S.
Galaxy A51 vs Redmi Note 9S: Camera
This is the part most people are interested in. The camera on both phones is good actually, not that great like the kind you’ll find on flagships but they’re a little above average. I’ve tested both, too bad the Redmi Note 9S is not with me currently as I write this post.
Onto the details, both phones have a quad-camera setup, i.e four cameras on the back, The Redmi Note 9S has 48 MP, 8 MP, 5 MP, 2 MP cameras, for different purposes of course, for example, the 2MP camera is for macro shots and can record videos up to 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps.
The Samsung Galaxy A51, on the other hand, has 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0″, 0.8µm, PDAF, 12 MP, f/2.2, 123Ëš (ultrawide), 5 MP, f/2.4, (macro), 5 MP, f/2.2, (depth) sensor camera.
On paper with Samsung’s final 5MP camera, it looks like it’s got an upper hand over the Redmi Note 9S, and technically speaking yes, this means that focusing on main subjects and blurring the background better. After holding the two phones, I can say that there’s really no clear winner, the two devices hold up well, in terms of camera. We can do really in-depth testing of the cameras on both phones, if that sounds like what you want to see, leave a comment below.
So seeing as there’s not much to separate these two, we’ll call it a tie.
WINNER ~Tie.
Galaxy A51 vs Redmi Note 9S: Battery
The battery life on these devices is important. Need to be able to enjoy your device all day without interruptions and having to plug it in all day, since none of the devices have wireless charging.
Getting on to it, the A51 comes equipped with a Non-removable Li-Po 4000 mAh battery, not bad for a mid-range device while the Note 9S packs a huge Non-removable Li-Po 5020 mAh battery. The winner is clear here, obviously but to point out, the A51 can also carry its own weight and on average usage should last the whole day, barely though but the Note 9S is an absolute battery beast.
WINNER ~Redmi Note 9S.
Galaxy A51 vs Redmi Note 9S: Pricing
One of the most considered factors when purchasing these smartphones is the pricing of these devices.
And it is very tricky too as pricing differs from region to region. In Nigeria, here, the Samsung Galaxy A51 cost about N125,000 while you can pick up the Note 9S for about N95,000. So much for two devices that are almost the same in specs, you can blame the A51’s inflated pricing on the current currency situation though but still… If we’re to pick a winner for the device that’s pocket friendly.
WINNER ~Redmi Note 9S.
So which of these devices should you buy?
Should you buy the A51 or the Note 9S.
Here’s the thing, the devices both have their pros and cons, if you don’t mind the slightly heavy build and the LCD panel display on the Note 9S, which is absolutely fine by the way, you should go for it, however, the A51 has Samsung’s logo backing it, regular updates, One U.I, an awesome display, if you can be careful with it… and of course have that extra money, then the A51 is for you plus you can easily get them in most stores around here, unlike the Redmi Note 9S.
If you live anywhere else and want to pick them up on Amazon, here’s where to buy Redmi Note 9S and the Galaxy A51.
Let us know in the comments section what you think of these two devices.
Read next: How Much Is The OnePlus Nord?
