Samsung’s new line of Galaxy M devices is a clear indication that clunky smartphones that prioritise a monster battery over functional design are out. Some Indian mobile retailers and industry experts refer to this as ‘hand feel.’ It might sound weird but it explains what a prospective customer feels when they first hold the phone in their hand. The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G is likely to pass that test.
It’s raining green smartphones
We’ve said this before, there’s been a wave of green smartphones storming retail shelves and the M53 joins that list. Samsung calls this ‘Mystique Green,’ and the best way to describe this a pale, metallic spin on emerald green. Samsung keeps the heft under 180 gm and finds the right balance between features that matter and making sure the device doesn’t feel like a brick. The rear cam placement is a throwback to 2021 but it’s good to see a tiny punch hole for the front cam (Infinity-O in Samsung speak) that maximises screen real estate.
120Hz or bust
This seems to be the mantra for the Rs 20,000-30,000 price band where a 120Hz refresh rate display has become a key differentiator. This is the zone where Samsung edges out similar-priced rivals like the OnePlus Nord CE 2 and OPPO’s F21 Pro with a display that’s larger. Content plays out well on the 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display that peaks at 420 nits.
Massive battery life
Battery life is another area where Samsung has a slight edge over its rivals. Samsung manages to stuff the M53 5G with a 5000 mAh battery despite its slim form factor. We managed to stretch our use to about one and a half days with camera usage and some video playback. Samsung hasn’t bundled a charging brick (the device can charge at 25W speeds) with the M53 5G. Rivals in the segment offer faster charging and also pack these chargers in the retail box.
Reliable camera
One of the key changes in the Samsung M53 5G (over its predecessor, the M52 5G) is the primary lens. The M53 becomes the first M series device kitted with a 108MP primary lens. It also incorporates an additional 2MP depth sensor (The M52 featured a triple rear cam) aside from an 8MP ultra-wide cam and a 2MP macro lens. There’s also a 32MP front cam in the mix. Images are quite sharp but in lowlight they do take a slight hit.
You get a whole bunch of camera extras like Samsung’s Single Shot and Fun Mode that takes you into Snapchat mode. This versatile cam can hold its own in this segment.
Spoilt for choice
The Samsung M53 5G lands in a segment that is full of action. The upcoming OnePlus Nord CE2 Lite (review to be out soon) will add to the intense competition. The Galaxy M53 5G is powered by a Mediatek Dimensity 900 processor (same as the OnePlus Nord CE 2) and comes with a choice of two hardware variants – 6GB/128GB and 8GB/128GB. The device clocked a respectable score of 2286 on our Geekbench benchmark test (multi-core). The M53 handles most tasks without a fuss, and even setting up the fingerprint sensor (located on the right spine) was a breeze. This is an all-round device that is one more solid option in this price segment.
The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G comes in Deep Ocean Blue and Mystique Green shades, and is priced at Rs 26,499 for 6GB+128GB and Rs 28,499 for 8GB+128GB variant. There’s also an instant cashback of Rs 2,500 on ICICI Cards.
