Samsung Galaxy M31s Review: Pros, Cons And The X-Factor

The Galaxy M31s is built on the success of the highly popular mid-ranger- Galaxy M31 which gave a tough competition to sub-20K smartphones from Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo and Vivo. Although the starting price has seen a hike this time, it does reflect as noticeable upgrades to the camera hardware and software in addition to some […]

PROS

Long-Lasting Battery Vibrant Super AMOLED Display Software-Rich Camera Setup Sturdy And Very Functional Design Dedicated microSD Card Slot Smooth Day-To-Day Performance

CONS

AMOLED Panel Lacks 90Hz Refresh Rate Not Meant For Gaming Bloatware And Spammy Notifications Dated Corning Gorilla Glass Protection Having tested both the Galaxy M31 and the Galaxy M21, I spent some time with the new Galaxy M31s to evaluate if the price hike is justified and does the new camera with Sony sensor makes any major difference. Here's what I found out.

X-Factor- Improved Camera Performance 64MP Sony Sensor

The new 64MP quad-lens camera is the X-Factor of the new Galaxy M31s. The primary camera still sports the massive 64MP resolution sensor but it now uses the latest Sony IMX682 sensor which has proven to be a better performer than the Samsung-made 64MP camera sensor. The Sony sensor has a bright f/1.8 aperture and ideally results in better clarity and color reproduction. The primary sensor is now accompanied by a 12MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide-angle sensor with 123-degree field-of-view. The Galaxy M31 has an 8MP wide-angle lens. The other two lenses are still of 5MP resolution- one macro sensor with 4cm distance for close-up shots and a 5MP depth sensor to create bokeh. To capture selfies, the Galaxy M31s features a 32MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. This is a good spec-sheet for a sub-20K smartphone but does it translate to a good real-life camera output? Let's find out.

Best-In-Class Battery Life

The Galaxy M31s is a heavy-duty device. It is backed by a massive 6,000 mAh battery cell that can easily last for more than a day with moderate to heavy usage. The AMOLED screen and the Exynos 9611 SoC are light on the battery which makes the phone easily last for more than 24-hours on one full charge. Samsung ships the Galaxy M31s with a 25W fast-charger in the box that refuels the big battery cell from flat to 100% in about 90 minutes. A big battery also gives the Galaxy M31s the capability to offer reverse charging.

Verdict

The Galaxy M31s is a great addition to the sub-20K price segment. It's not a true successor of the Galaxy M31 as the new phone also draws power from the underwhelming Exynos chip but the design, display and camera upgrades are undoubtedly noteworthy. Available in two memory variants - 6/128GB and 8/128GB at Rs. 19,499 (6/128 GB) and Rs. 21,499 (8/128GB), the Galaxy M31s is an excellent choice for someone who wants a non-Chinese smartphone with excellent battery life, good cameras and a great display for binge-watching. For avid gamers, the market offers some good options such as Redmi Note 9 Pro-series, the Poco X2 Pro and the Realme 6 Pro.