In a highly competitive market flooded with smartphones, Samsung has consistently managed to stand out with its Galaxy series. Among these, the Samsung Galaxy M31 has garnered significant attention, especially in the mid-range smartphone segment. Packed with impressive features and a budget-friendly price tag, the Samsung M31 has become a popular choice for tech-savvy users. In this review, we’ll dive deep into its specifications, design, camera capabilities, performance, and more.
Design and Build of Samsung Galaxy M31
The Samsung M31 boasts a sleek and attractive design that fits comfortably in hand. With dimensions of 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm and weighing just 191g, the phone feels light yet sturdy. It features a glass front with Gorilla Glass 3 protection, a plastic back, and a plastic frame. Though not as premium as metal or glass, the plastic components ensure durability and contribute to its budget-friendly price.
Display and Visual Experience
Equipped with a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, the Samsung M31 offers vibrant colors and sharp contrasts. The peak brightness of 420 nits makes it easily readable outdoors. The phone’s 1080 x 2340-pixel resolution and 19.5:9 aspect ratio ensure an immersive visual experience. Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protects the display from scratches and minor impacts, making it ideal for daily use.
Specifications
| NETWORK | Technology |
|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 – SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| BODY | |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| ——————————- | ———————— |
| DISPLAY | |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| ——————————- | ———————— |
| PLATFORM | |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (4×2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| MEMORY | |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM UFS 2.1 |
| MAIN CAMERA | |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72″, 0.8µm, PDAF |
| 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0″, 1.12µm | |
| 5 MP, f/2.4, (macro) | |
| 5 MP, f/2.2, (depth) | |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| ——————————- | ———————— |
| SELFIE CAMERA | |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8″, 0.8µm |
| Features | HDR |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| ——————————- | ———————— |
| SOUND | |
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | Yes |
| ——————————- | ———————— |
| COMMS | |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| ——————————- | ———————— |
| FEATURES | |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Virtual proximity sensing | |
| ——————————- | ———————— |
| BATTERY | |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 15W wired |
| MISC | ||
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Space Black, Red | |
| Models | SM-M315F, SM-M315F/DS, SM-M315F/DSN | |
| SAR | 0.52 W/kg (head) | 0.69 W/kg (body) |
Performance and User Interface
Running on Android 10, upgradable to Android 12 with One UI 4.1, the Galaxy M31 delivers a smooth and user-friendly interface. Powered by the Exynos 9611 (10nm) chipset and Octa-core processor (4×2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×1.7 GHz Cortex-A53), the phone performs well in everyday tasks, including multitasking and gaming. The Mali-G72 MP3 GPU enhances graphics performance, providing an enjoyable gaming experience.
Camera Capabilities
One of the standout features of the smartphone is its versatile camera setup. The rear camera setup includes a 64 MP primary lens, an 8 MP ultra-wide lens, a 5 MP macro lens, and a 5 MP depth sensor. The primary lens captures stunning details and sharp images, while the ultra-wide lens expands the frame, perfect for landscape shots. The macro lens enables capturing intricate close-up shots, and the depth sensor adds a pleasing bokeh effect to portraits.
Battery Life and Charging
The Samsung M31 is equipped with an impressive 6000 mAh Li-Po non-removable battery, ensuring long hours of usage without frequent recharging. It supports 15W wired charging, which efficiently charges the device in a reasonable amount of time. The battery life is a significant advantage for users who prefer extended phone usage without worrying about running out of power.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The phone offers seamless connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, and LE. Its GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS capabilities provide accurate navigation. Additionally, it includes NFC (market/region dependent) and FM radio with RDS and recording functionality. The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, compass, and virtual proximity sensing enhance its usability.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Samsung M31 offers exceptional value for money, catering to the needs of budget-conscious consumers without compromising on essential features. Its stunning display, capable camera setup, reliable performance, and outstanding battery life make it an excellent choice for mid-range smartphone seekers.