Galaxy A51 vs Galaxy A73 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A51, released in late 2019, and the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, launched in early 2022, are both mid-range Android smartphones from Samsung's popular A series. While the A51 offered a strong feature set for its time, the A73 5G represents a significant generational leap, bringing enhanced performance, a more advanced camera system, and 5G connectivity. Both devices run on Samsung's One UI over Android, providing a consistent user experience, but they cater to slightly different user expectations due to their release timelines and core capabilities.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is heavily influenced by its initial release date and the manufacturer's software support policy. The Galaxy A51, being an older model, has reached the end of its major software update cycle, while the Galaxy A73 5G still has several years of support remaining.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy A51, launched with Android 10, received three major Android updates, concluding its OS support around early 2024 for the 4G variant and May 2024 for the 5G variant. In contrast, the Galaxy A73 5G, released with Android 12, is promised four major Android updates and five years of security updates, with its last major OS update expected to be Android 16 (One UI 8) and security updates continuing until April 2027.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy A51 features Gorilla Glass 3 on its display and a plastic build, which some users found to be less robust, with reports of it being prone to bending under significant pressure. The Galaxy A73 5G upgrades to Gorilla Glass 5 for screen protection and also uses a plastic back and frame, but it includes an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, offering better protection against environmental elements.
• Repairability: Both devices generally score around 6.5 out of 10 for repairability. Key components like the screen and battery are replaceable, but the use of adhesive for the back cover and battery can make repairs challenging for average users. The Galaxy A51 also had instances where software updates introduced component pairing, potentially affecting the functionality of third-party replacement parts like the fingerprint sensor.

Performance differences between these two models are notable, reflecting the advancements in mobile processor technology over their respective release periods. The Galaxy A73 5G offers a more responsive and capable experience for demanding tasks.

• Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy A51, powered by an Exynos 9611 processor in its 4G variant, was noted by some users to exhibit occasional sluggishness, particularly with multitasking and app loading. The Galaxy A73 5G, featuring a Snapdragon 778G 5G processor, provides a smoother experience for general use and handles demanding applications and games effectively, maintaining fluidity even with its high refresh rate display.
• Multitasking and Storage: Both devices offer various RAM configurations, with the A51 available in 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB, and the A73 5G in 6GB or 8GB. The A73 5G's more efficient processor and higher potential RAM configurations contribute to better handling of multiple applications simultaneously. Both support expandable storage via microSD, up to 512GB for the A51 4G and up to 1TB for the A73 5G.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A51 has a 4000 mAh battery, with user experiences varying from lasting a full day to experiencing faster drain for heavy users. The Galaxy A73 5G comes with a larger 5000 mAh battery, generally providing good endurance for extensive daily use, though some users have reported faster drain, potentially linked to software or 5G network usage.

Both smartphones feature Samsung's Super AMOLED display technology, known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks, but the Galaxy A73 5G introduces significant enhancements in smoothness and outdoor visibility.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy A51 and Galaxy A73 5G utilize Super AMOLED panels with a Full HD+ resolution (1080x2400 pixels), delivering clear and vibrant visuals. The A73 5G features a Super AMOLED Plus display, which can offer slightly improved brightness and thinner construction.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: A key differentiator is the refresh rate. The Galaxy A51 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth but conventional viewing experience. The Galaxy A73 5G significantly upgrades this to a 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in noticeably smoother scrolling, animations, and a more fluid overall user interface, which is particularly beneficial for gaming and fast-paced content.
• Screen Size and Protection: The Galaxy A51 has a 6.5-inch display protected by Gorilla Glass 3. The Galaxy A73 5G offers a slightly larger 6.7-inch display with the more durable Gorilla Glass 5, providing better resistance against scratches and minor drops.

The camera systems on both devices are capable for their respective generations, but the Galaxy A73 5G offers a more advanced setup, particularly in main sensor resolution and stabilization.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A51 features a quad-camera setup with a 48MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, and 5MP depth sensor. The Galaxy A73 5G elevates this with a 108MP main sensor that includes Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), alongside a 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, and 5MP depth sensor. The higher resolution and OIS on the A73 5G's main camera contribute to more detailed and stable photos, especially in challenging conditions.
• Photography Performance: In daylight, both phones produce good images, though Samsung's characteristic oversaturation can be present. The A73 5G's larger main sensor and OIS generally lead to better low-light performance and sharper images with less blur. Both devices offer a versatile range of lenses for different shooting scenarios.
• Video and Front Camera: Both the Galaxy A51 and A73 5G are capable of recording 4K video at 30 frames per second. For selfies, both phones are equipped with a 32MP front-facing camera, delivering detailed self-portraits. The A73 5G's OIS can also benefit video stability.