Samsung’s cheapest 5G phone is now available unlocked (Updated) - Android

Update: August 21, 2020 (5:16 AM ET): The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G is now available carrier-unlocked at Best Buy US for $349. The device on offer includes 128GB of storage with the Prism Cube Black colorway.

Original article: Those looking for an affordable 5G option in the US now have another choice from Samsung. Today, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G UW is available on Verizon.

Priced at $549, the Galaxy A51 5G UW is a sensible option for users who don’t want to splurge on a flagship but who do want the benefits of Verizon’s mmWave 5G connectivity. If the technology and power isn’t a huge requirement, the Galaxy A51 4G is listed on Amazon at a lower price.

The Samsung Galaxy A51 5G is also available on T-Mobile now and will soon come to AT&T. However, unlike the Verizon model of the phone, the T-Mobile and AT&T variant is powered by the Exynos 980 chipset, not the Snapdragon 765G.

This could be why the phone is also $50 cheaper on AT&T and T-Mobile, compared to Verizon’s $549 mmWave version. Alternatively, it’s possible that the AT&T and T-Mobile variants lack mmWave technology, which requires extra antennas and other components.

On T-Mobile, you can finance the Galaxy A51 5G for 24 months at $21/month. You can also pay the full retail price of $504.

AT&T will offer the Galaxy A51 5G for as low as $5/month on a 30-month installment payment plan. This “limited time” deal will bring down the price of the phone to just $150 — a 70% discount on the $500 full retail price.

Moreover, AT&T customers who trade in an existing phone with a minimum $35 value can also get the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G for free. Yeah, you heard that right. The carrier will make the phone available starting August 21.

Samsung Galaxy A51 features

The Galaxy A51 5G UW features a roomy 6.5-inch AMOLED display with 2,400 x 1,080 resolution, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of internal storage. That’s all mated to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chipset powered by a 4,500mAh battery.

For camera lovers, there’s a quad-snapper at the rear headlined by a 48MP primary sensor. And if you’re using wired headphones, there’s a 3.5mm jack just for you, too.

As for colorways, Verizon’s only offering the Galaxy A51 5G UW in one option: Prism Bricks Blue.

Want to get your hands on a 5G Verizon smartphone? Here are the best ones available right now.

• Samsung Galaxy S20:
  • Check pricing: Verizon | Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus:
  • Check pricing: Verizon | Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
  • Check pricing: Verizon | Amazon
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus
  • Check pricing: Verizon | Amazon
• OnePlus 8
  • Check pricing: Verizon | Amazon
• Motorola Edge Plus
  • Check pricing: Verizon | Motorola
• LG V60
  • Check pricing: Verizon

Here are some other Verizon carrier deals you should check out.

• The best Verizon deals we could find
• The best Verizon plans
• The best Verizon prepaid plans
• The best prepaid plans in the US

Next: The best 5G phones you can buy right now