In a fiercely competitive budget smartphone market, the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G emerges as a formidable contender, blending an array of premium features with an attractive price tag. As one of the most affordable 5G-capable smartphones in India, the Galaxy M34 5G offers a stunning AMOLED display, a powerful Exynos 1280 chipset, and a massive 6,000mAh battery designed to keep you connected all day long. With promises of extensive software support and a camera system equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), the Galaxy M34 5G aims to deliver a comprehensive smartphone experience without breaking the bank.
In this detailed Samsung Galaxy M34 5G review, we delve into its design, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and overall value to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your next smartphone.
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G, priced affordably in India, shares a design aesthetic with its higher-end sibling, the Galaxy F54. It features a plastic frame with curved edges and a polycarbonate back, which, while not premium, feels sturdy and durable. The right side houses the power button, doubling as a fingerprint scanner, along with volume buttons. The bottom edge includes a USB Type-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a speaker grille.
Weighing 208 grams, the Galaxy M34 5G might feel slightly heavy for prolonged use, especially during extended media consumption. However, its ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip. The device’s back features three individual camera rings that protrude slightly but do not interfere with usability.
Display
The 6.5-inch Infinity-U Super AMOLED display of the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G is a standout feature. It offers a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, providing vibrant and punchy colors with decent viewing angles. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6, the screen can withstand minor drops and falls. Despite the lack of a bezel-less design, the display performs well under direct sunlight, ensuring readability.
The device supports Widevine L1 certification, allowing users to stream content in Full HD resolution from platforms like Netflix. However, the mono bottom-firing speaker, although loud, lacks the immersive experience of stereo sound. The display offers two refresh rates, 60Hz and 120Hz, but lacks a dynamic refresh rate feature to optimize battery consumption.
Performance
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G is powered by the 5nm octa-core Exynos 1280 SoC, the same chipset found in its predecessor, the Galaxy M33. This chipset handles everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging with ease. It supports multitasking efficiently, though it may struggle with graphically intensive games like BGMI at medium settings.
In benchmark tests, the Galaxy M34 scored 4,88,166 on AnTuTu and achieved 953 and 2,000 points in single-core and multi-core Geekbench tests, respectively. During the CPU Throttle test, it maintained 85% of its peak performance over 30 minutes. Available in 6GB and 8GB RAM variants with 128GB of expandable storage, the device offers decent performance for its price range.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree field of view, and a 2MP macro sensor. The front houses a 13MP selfie camera.
In well-lit conditions, the primary camera captures detailed and color-accurate images. However, dynamic range can be a bit lacking, particularly in cloudy conditions. The ultra-wide lens provides a decent field of view but struggles with edge distortion. The macro lens requires stability and ideal lighting to capture usable shots.
The selfie camera produces acceptable images with good facial details and skin tones, but portrait mode needs improvement in edge detection. Low-light performance is average across all cameras, with the dedicated night mode helping reduce graininess but not significantly enhancing detail or color accuracy.
Battery Life and Charging
A major highlight of the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G is its massive 6,000mAh battery, which can easily last two days for regular users. In real-world usage, heavy users can expect a full day of battery life. In our tests, the device achieved around 10 hours of screen-on time with frequent navigation and hotspot use.
The handset supports 25W fast charging, but users will need to purchase a compatible charger separately, as only a Type-C to Type-C cable is included in the box. A full charge takes approximately two hours, which is reasonable given the battery capacity.
Software and Features
The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G runs on Android 13-based OneUI 5.1, offering a user-friendly and intuitive experience. Customization options are plentiful, and features like Samsung Wallet and Knox Security enhance usability and privacy. Although the device comes with some pre-installed third-party apps, they can be easily removed, and spammy notifications are minimal.
Samsung promises four years of major software updates and five years of security updates, ensuring long-term support and value for the device.
Price and Value
Starting at Rs 16,999, the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G offers an impressive set of features for its price. Its AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, long-lasting battery, and robust daily performance make it a compelling choice in the budget segment. While it faces competition from devices like the Redmi Note 12, Infinix Note 30 5G, and Realme Narzo 60, its extensive software support and overall performance give it an edge.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G is a well-rounded smartphone that excels in key areas like display quality, battery life, and everyday performance. While its design may not be groundbreaking and its camera performance under low light could be better, it offers substantial value for its price. With a starting price of Rs 16,999, it is a solid contender in the budget smartphone market, particularly for users looking for a device with long-term software support.
Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy M34 5G
Pros:
- Vibrant AMOLED Display: The 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate delivers vivid colors and smooth visuals, enhancing the viewing experience.
- Long-lasting Battery Life: The 6,000mAh battery ensures extended usage, easily lasting more than a day for regular users and providing up to two days of battery life for lighter users.
- Comprehensive Software Support: Samsung promises four years of major software updates and five years of security updates, ensuring the phone remains up-to-date with the latest features and security enhancements.
Cons:
- Average Low-light Camera Performance: The camera struggles in low-light conditions, producing average results with noticeable noise and reduced detail.
- Plastic Build: While sturdy, the plastic construction might not appeal to users looking for a more premium feel and finish.
Image Credits :The images used in this review are sourced from the official Samsung Website https://www.samsung.com. All rights reserved to their respective owners.
FAQs
Is the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G worth buying?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G offers excellent value for money with its vibrant display, long battery life, and robust performance. It’s especially appealing for users looking for a budget-friendly smartphone with long-term software support.
What software updates does the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G receive?
Samsung has promised four years of major software updates and five years of security updates for the Galaxy M34 5G, ensuring it stays up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.
What is the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G?
The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G boasts a 6,000mAh battery that can easily last two days for regular users and a full day for heavy users. It supports 25W fast charging, but the charger must be purchased separately.
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