Samsung Galaxy A51, which was launched in December 2019, caught the attention of many smartphone users, especially in the mid-range category, due to the perfect mix of its features, performance, and price. One of the questions that come up most often when talking about this phone, is the one about the non-wired charging capability. In this comprehensive analysis, we will not only examine the wireless charging feature of the Galaxy A51 but also discuss the phone’s main characteristics and make comparisons with other devices in the same category.
Let us take a look at the Samsung Galaxy A51
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy A51 has an elegant and contemporary design with a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display that has a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The Infinity-O style gives the screen a practically borderless appearance, with just a tiny round cut-out for the selfie camera. The front of the device is plastic and is claimed by Samsung to be “Glasstic” material, which indeed does have a reflective surface like glass.
The device is offered in several colors, namely Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Blue, and Prism Crush Pink, which makes it a good choice for people with different tastes. The plastic used might not be the best but still the A51 gives off a premium vibe and is sturdy and strong like being 172 grams heavy is an ideal weight for being both light and strong.
Performance and Hardware
Exynos 9611 chipset powers Galaxy A51 and it is a tri-core processor that comprises four Cortex-A73 cores at the speed of 2.3GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at the speed of 1.7GHz. Depending on the version, the phone is equipped with RAM of 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB and comes with either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, which is extendable by up to 512GB through the microSD card.
The Galaxy A51 is a decent performer in terms of hardware sufficient for doing everyday activities like web browsing, social networking, and watching videos. It somewhat manages the load of running multiple apps at the same time one of its limitations, of course, is the mid-range.
Camera System
A versatile quad-camera configuration with four different lenses is what the Galaxy A51 has on the back, and its main is as follows:
The main sensor of 48MP with f/2.0 aperture.
The ultra-wide sensor of 12MP with f/2.2 aperture, and a 123-degree field of view
The 5MP macro sensor with f/2.4 aperture, which is specifically for close-up photos.
The 5MP depth sensor with an f/2.2 aperture for more excellent portrait shots.
The camera system performs well in bright light, producing nice, colorful photos with sufficient detail. Landscapes and group portraits are easily done with the ultra-wide lens, while the macro lens is good for taking sharp close-ups. The depth sensor produces better background blur for portrait mode.
On the front side, the Galaxy A51 has a 32MP selfie camera with an f/2.2 aperture that can take high-resolution self-portraits and also has the support for the Live Focus feature that allows creating bokeh effects.
Software
The Galaxy A51 is powered by the One UI 2.0 user interface created by Samsung, which is based on Android 10 and it comes with the possibility of updating to the latest versions of One UI and Android. One UI is characterized by its intuitive interface and extensive customization options. It has functionalities such as Dark Mode, Digital Wellbeing, and an assortment of Samsung apps that contribute to making the overall user experience smoother and more pleasant.
Battery Life
With a 4,000mAh battery, the device delivers quite a good battery life, which lasts through moderate use all day long. Fast charging of 15W is supported, making it possible to recharge the battery quickly if needed. Nonetheless, this leads us to a vital aspect of our review: can the Galaxy A51 be charged wirelessly?
Wireless Charging: The Reality
One of the main drawbacks of the Samsung Galaxy A51, despite all its advantages, is the lack of wireless charging support. This shortcoming may sometimes become a reason for some users and they may be very disappointed if they have been depending on the comfort of wireless charging.
Why No Wireless Charging?
The non-availability of wireless charging in the Galaxy A51 is due to a number of reasons:
Cost Considerations: The addition of wireless charging technology increases the cost of the device. Since the Galaxy A51 is a mid-range smartphone, Samsung has probably decided to leave out this feature to maintain a competitive price range.
Target Market: The A51 is aimed at customers who want a blend of features and affordability. Wireless charging is viewed by some users as a luxury rather than as a necessity, particularly in the mid-range market where cost is more important.
Material Constraints: The Galaxy A51 has a plastic back which is not as good as glass when it comes to wireless charging. A plastic back can present some technical challenges for wireless charging and the charging may also not be very efficient.
Alternatives and Workarounds
The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G does not provide support for wireless charging but there are quite a few alternative ways and workarounds for the users to think about:
Wireless Charging Adapters
A major solution is to make use of a wireless charging adapter. These adapters are like very thin, flexible coils that get connected to the phone’s charging port and can easily be put between the phone and its case. Here comes the step-by-step guidance for setting up:
Get yourself a Qi Wireless Charging Adapter: Make sure that the one you buy is compatible with your phone’s charging port (USB-C for the Galaxy A51).
Fix the Adapter: Insert the adapter into the phone’s USB-C port and then place the coil on the back of the phone.
Charging on a Wireless Charging Pad: Put the phone with the adapter onto a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad to wirelessly charge it.
It is true that this solution cannot be compared with built-in wireless charging in terms of being convenient but still it gives a functional option to the consumers who prefer the luxury of wireless charging.
Wireless Charging Cases
The next alternative is to simply make use of a wireless charging case that is specifically manufactured for the Galaxy A51. These cases come with wireless charging receivers that charge the phone wirelessly when it is placed on a charging pad. The cases may add some thickness to the phone but they do provide a complete solution without the need of an external adapter for charging.
Switching to a Phone with Built-in Wireless Charging
If users are particularly fond of wireless charging and are already in the market for a new phone, they can treat it as a blessing in disguise and think of moving to a model that incorporates built-in wireless charging. Samsung has made this feature available in some of its models from the Galaxy S and Note series. Also, companies like Apple, Google, and OnePlus have wireless charging support for their flagship models.
Comparison with Competitors
The best way to get a clear picture of the Galaxy A51’s market position is to compare it to others in the same price bracket that allow wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy A71
The Galaxy A71 is a more advanced version of the A51, and among other things, it possesses a more robust Snapdragon 730 processor and a bigger battery (4,500mAh). However, built-in wireless charging is absent like in the A51. This particularly emphasizes the theory that Samsung only gives the wireless charging feature to its premium models.
Google Pixel 4a
The Google Pixel 4a is another mid-range smartphone that is competing with the Galaxy A51 along with other sub $400 models. It is an Android device with a clean interface and regular updates, a very good camera, and a small form factor. At the same time, this device does not have wireless charging option, which means that this feature is often left out in mid-range gadgets to reduce their prices.
Xiaomi Mi 9
Xiaomi Mi 9, though a bit older, is still an example of a sans-needless device that allows wireless charging among mid-range smartphones. It has a Snapdragon 855 processor, 6.39-inch AMOLED display, and 3,300mAh battery with 20W wireless charging support. The Mi 9’s inclusion of wireless charging exemplifies Xiaomi’s drive to offer luxury features at budget A51 price or lower, though it may have to give up on areas like software experience and brand trustworthiness compared to Samsung.
OnePlus Nord
The OnePlus Nord is yet another contender that strongly asserts its presence in the middle segment. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 765G processor, has 5G connectivity, and comes with a camera that can serve a lot of purposes. On the downside, like the A51, it does not offer wireless charging. Typically OnePlus is all about fast and smooth user experience, and that sometimes is at the cost of features like wireless charging being rejected.
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy A51 is a mid-range smartphone that cannot be called a misfit exhibiting excellent features, great design, and performance all at a reasonable price. However, it does come with a caveat; it cannot wirelessly charge, which downside might be a big issue for the consumer who considers this feature essential the most.
The users of Galaxy A51 who want to resort to wireless charging can go for wireless charging adapters and cases these days, which serve as good alternates. Moreover, these methods are not as costly as purchasing a completely new device for the sake of convenience.
Company’s decision not to include wireless charging in the Galaxy A51 is an example of the trade-offs made by the manufacturers while balancing cost and features in mid-range smartphones. The day wireless charging becomes common and economical; it may be offered as a standard feature for even lower-range handsets. In the meantime, consumers aiming at a Samsung with a wireless charging capability have to either go for the more expensive ones or look at the third-party accessories.
To put it briefly, the Samsung Galaxy A51 is not a device without a charger of the kind, but it still proves to be a fantastic choice for a user because of the low price it is selling for plus all the other attributes it has. Those who want the advantage of wireless charging will have to take either or both of two options, namely – looking for a wireless charging solution or up-gradation towards the high-end smartphones that come with this feature by default.