Samsung has successfully managed to create a strong association with a Monster battery for its M Series devices. We’ve been part of the M Series journey; these devices have typically been bulky, a go to device for those seeking an energizer bunny type battery. A year ago, consumers might have been okay with a compromise for a heavy-duty battery. It meant a heavy device that could weigh you down by the end of the day, especially if you’re one of those whose work life plays out on WhatsApp. That’s one reason the M52 5G has our attention. It’s packed with a massive battery but it’s not a heavy brick.
Let’s talk about the ‘Monster’ battery first. This one’s a 5000 mAh battery that Samsung claims will deliver 20 hours of video playback or 48 hours of voice calls. This is a clear win for this device; our tests validated Samsung’s battery claims. You should comfortably sail through a day or a day and a half depending on your usage patterns. We wish Samsung had bundled a 25W charger in the box.
A big battery doesn’t have to ruin your user experience. This is easily the most elegantly designed M Series device we’ve got our hands on. It features a premium (even though it’s plastic) glossy finish – I dig the thin striped pattern and the placement of the rear lenses. It’s prone to smudges though. We checked out the Blazing Black, but we prefer the Icy Blue colour variant. At 173 gm and 7.4mm thickness it’s also one of the lightest M Series devices. Most smartphone brands realise that 170 to 180 gm is a sweet-spot of sorts that finds the perfect balance between heft, battery and a large size display – our next stop.
The 6.7-inch FHD+ sAMOLED+ display is probably our favourite feature on this device. Samsung adds extra oomph and fluidity with a 120Hz refresh rate that makes this large display totally binge proof. This is a feature that’s soon becoming a standard even under Rs 30K. In many ways the triple rear cam summarises the value proposition of this device as an all-rounder. It combines a 64MP primary lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 5MP macro lens that I enjoyed testing. The night mode gives it an edge in lowlight images while the 32MP selfie cam shoots sharp portrait mode selfies.
The 5G suffix in this device is a clear signal that this device is future proof. Samsung adds a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor that powers other devices in this band like the Mi11 Lite 5G. There’s a choice of 6GB/128GB or 8GB/128GB versions. This device should please most users, even those who have a need for speed. It clocked a respectable 2873 in our Geekbench benchmark (multi-core) test. The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G is a device that hits quite a few right notes. It’s a good looker with a gorgeous display and a battery that won’t let you down. If you’re looking for a device in the Rs 25-30K price band, the M52 5G deserves to be in your consideration set.
The Samsung Galaxy M52 5G comes in two colours – Blazing Black and Icy Blue. It costs Rs 29,999 (6GB/128GB) and Rs 31,999 (8GB/128GB). It’s available at a special introductory price (on Amazon) of Rs 26,999/28,999.
