In September 2019, we put the Samsung Galaxy A50S under the scanner. Samsung hasn’t waited too long for the follow up device. Samsung has kept rolling out devices across price points through 2019 and the debut of the A51 and the ‘Lite’ versions of the Note 10 and S10 suggest that the blistering pace of launches will continue through 2020. The Samsung Galaxy A51 takes the baton from the A50S; it’s a critical device for the brand and will do battle in the competitive Rs 20,000 – 25,000 price band.

The most noticeable change over the A50S is the incredibly small pin-hole front cam; it’s the smallest on a Samsung device. A feature that it shares with the recently unveiled Galaxy Note 10 lite. It keeps the 6.5-inch Infinity-O, Super AMOLED display (1080 x 2400 pixels / 405 PPI) very immersive with minimal interference when you’re catching videos on the go. The rear of the device is finished with an elegant prism design that sets this device apart from the competition. This is a device that doesn’t disappoint with its design aesthetics. At 172 gm, it feels quite good in your hands despite a large 4000 mAh battery under the hood. Battery performance is similar to its predecessors – the A50 and the A50S, and won’t let heavy duty users down.

Just like the A50S, this one’s powered by the Exynos 9611 processor and also benefits from the Game Booster 2.0. The A51 produced an improved performance in our AnTuTu benchmark tests registering a score of 155615 (over the 150876 notched up by the A50S). There’s 6GB of RAM and 128GB of Internal Memory plus support for Micro SD cards (up to 512GB). These specs should satisfy most regular users. 

The A51 boasts of a quad rear cam. There’s a 48MP primary lens that combines with a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP depth sensor and a 5MP Macro lens. There’s a noticeable difference in the results of the ultra-wide lens but it’s the addition of the Macro Lens that adds a fun dimension to the A51’s rear cam. The 32MP selfie cam is dependable and should please selfie fiends. The quad rear cam delivers a good all-round performance for this price point but don’t expect the same results in low-light as some of Samsung’s premier smartphones.

The Samsung Galaxy A51 does a decent job of bringing some of the features from Samsung’s top-of-the-line devices to a device that’s priced under Rs 25,000. These features however don’t include wireless charging or a water resistant form factor. The form factor, the gorgeous 6.5-inch display, the Macro lens and a robust battery are some of the standout features of the Galaxy A51 that make it a compelling proposition. 

The Samsung Galaxy A51 is available in Prism Blue, Prism White and Prism Black at Rs 23,999 on Samsung’s online store.