Samsung recently announced that it had captured 81% of the overall market share in the Rs 1,00,000+ category in March 2022. This market report from Counterpoint Research tells us that the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was a resounding success. But the Rs 1 lakh plus segment is just one of the many segments where Samsung does battle. From the A Series devices that play mostly in the 20,000 to 40,000 price band to the M Series devices, Samsung relies on a multi-pronged approach. The F13, the brand’s newest smartphone aims to be a serious contender in the budget segment. Does it pack enough to excite consumers who are looking at a device that offers more for less?

Ripple effect

We like the design approach Samsung has adopted for the F13. Samsung has billed the F series devices as high on style; the F13 scores with its rippled back. It doesn’t just stand out in a crowd but also makes it easier to grip even with sweaty palms. It’s all plastic and yet doesn’t look too tacky. Samsung has arrived at an interesting colour palate. There’s a funky Sunrise Copper. We checked out the Waterfall Blue that’s more reminiscent of a mint green. The device feels good and looks more expensive than its sub Rs 15K price band. It’s a tad heavy with a 207g footprint but it’s a good trade-off if battery life is a deal breaker for you. The 6000 mAh battery should comfortably last you over a day even if you’re a heavy duty user.

Value for money?

One of the key highlights is a 6.4-inch FHD+ LCD display (1080 x 2408 pixels). It’s one of the better displays at this price and is binge-proof. Samsung has packed the F13 with an 8MP selfie shooter and a triple rear cam. The rear shooter combines a 50MP primary lens, a 5MP ultra-wide lens (with a 123-degree field of view) and a 2MP depth sensor. Images are decent in optimal light but don’t quite measure up in lowlight. There’s no OIS and frankly, that’s hardly a surprise at this price. At the heart of this device is an Exynos 850 processor coupled with 4GB of RAM. There are two internal storage variants – 64GB and the 128GB option that we checked out. The device manages multi-tasking and everyday tasks without a fuss but won’t satisfy your need for speed if you’re an intense gamer.

Wrap up

Samsung has managed to pack quite a bit into this budget device without cutting too many corners. It’s not the fastest processor but will work for most average users. The F13 scores with its design, battery and a decent display. We wish the device didn’t come with multiple pre-installed apps but that’s a minor crib. The device is powered by OneUI 4.1 that’s layered over Android 12. Samsung’s custom UI is our favourite android skin at this price point and adds to the device’s overall appeal. One more reason why the F13 is a compelling option at its asking price.

The Samsung Galaxy F13 comes in Sunrise Copper, Nightsky Green and Waterfall Blue. The 4GB/64GB costs Rs 11,999 while the 4GB/128GB is priced at Rs 12,999. There’s an instant cashback of Rs 1,000 on ICICI credit cards.