The budget segment was dominated by Xiaomi and Realme in 2020, with Samsung's M Series struggling to keep pace. To rectify this, Samsung released the Galaxy M02s in 2021, priced at a premium of ₹1,000 over its competitors like Poco C3. In this review, we'll explore whether the Galaxy M02s is worth the extra cash or if you should stick with the more affordable Poco C3. The Galaxy M02s boasts a sleek design aesthetic that's ergonomic and comfortable to hold. The dual-tone finish is attractive, and the phone's plastic build doesn't scratch easily. While the camera lenses don't protrude, the overall design quality has improved significantly from Samsung's J Series of old. Both the Poco C3 and Galaxy M02s feature a 6.5-inch LCD screen with an HD+ resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio. The display quality is similar on both devices, although the Poco C3's Panda Glass protection gives it an edge. Surprisingly, there's little difference in performance between the two phones, despite the Poco C3 having a Helio G35 processor and the Galaxy M02s using a Snapdragon 450. The UI feels slightly faster on the Poco C3 due to animations, but both devices have similar performance in everyday usage. The camera setup is identical on both devices, with a 13MP primary sensor, 2MP macro lens, and 5MP selfie camera. While the images from both phones are comparable, the Poco C3 takes slightly better photos, especially in portrait mode. Both phones have a similar 5000mAh battery life, but the Galaxy M02s has an upper hand with a USB Type-C connection and 15W fast charging support. We recommend getting a 15W fast charger to juice up your phone quickly. Overall, while not perfect, the Galaxy M02s is a decent entry in the budget segment, especially considering Samsung's availability and after-sales services. If you're looking for a reliable option with a premium brand backing, the Galaxy M02s might be worth considering over its competitors.
The budget smartphone segment has witnessed significant improvements in recent years, with companies like Xiaomi and Realme dominating the market. However, Samsung's offerings have been lackluster, particularly their M-series devices. That was until 2021, when they launched the Galaxy M02s. Priced 1,000 INR more than its competition, the Poco C3, the Galaxy M02s aims to offer a premium experience at an affordable price. In this review, we'll focus on the build quality and design of this device. Upon unboxing, it's clear that Samsung has made significant improvements in their budget segment devices. The Galaxy M02s boasts a sturdy build quality, with a plastic body that doesn't scratch easily. This is evident even without a back cover, which I felt confident enough to skip on this device. The camera lenses don't protrude as much, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal. While it may not be as ergonomic as some other devices, the M02s feels comfortable in the hand. The dual-tone finish is particularly attractive, with the red color variant standing out from the crowd. Budget phones have come a long way in recent years, and Samsung's Galaxy M02s is no exception. The design language is vastly improved compared to their J-series devices of the past. While not as premium as some other offerings, the M02s has a solid build quality that justifies its price point. In terms of design aesthetics, the Galaxy M02s edges out its competition, including the Poco C3. With a more ergonomic feel and a decent grip on the rear panel, this device is sure to appeal to those looking for a budget-friendly option without compromising on style. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy M02s is a solid entry in the budget segment, with a focus on build quality and design that sets it apart from its competitors.
The battery life of a smartphone is a crucial aspect that can make or break the user experience. In this review, we'll focus on the battery performance of the Samsung Galaxy M02s. The Galaxy M02s features a 5,000mAh battery, which is similar in size to its competitor, the Poco C3. Both phones deliver decent battery life, with the Galaxy M02s providing a full day's use with moderate usage. However, what sets it apart from other budget phones is its USB Type-C connection and support for 15W fast charging. While the Poco C3 also features a 5,000mAh battery, its charging speed is restricted to 10W. In contrast, the Galaxy M02s can be charged quickly with a compatible power adapter. Although the phone comes with a 7.8W power adapter in the box, we highly recommend purchasing a 15W fast charger for optimal performance. In our testing, the Galaxy M02s provided consistent battery life, with minimal drops throughout the day. While it may not be the most impressive battery performer in its class, it's still a reliable option that will get you through a full day without needing to rush for a charge. Overall, the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy M02s is satisfactory, but the inclusion of 15W fast charging and USB Type-C connectivity gives it an edge over other budget phones. If you're in the market for a new phone with good battery life, the Galaxy M02s is certainly worth considering.
In a crowded budget smartphone market, display quality can often be a major differentiator between devices. The Samsung Galaxy M02s is no exception, with its 6.5-inch HD+ LCD screen boasting an impressive 20:9 aspect ratio. On paper, the specs seem identical to those of the Poco C3, another popular budget phone. However, in reality, the display quality on both devices is remarkably similar. The color reproduction, viewing angles, and brightness levels are almost indistinguishable from one another. While it's true that neither phone has a cutting-edge display, the similarities between them make it difficult to declare one as significantly better than the other. Both the Poco C3 and Galaxy M02s have their own strengths, with the former boasting Panda Glass protection - a feature noticeably absent on the latter. In terms of pure display quality, I wouldn't say that either phone stands out from the pack. It's a basic HD+ LCD screen, after all. However, if you're particularly fussy about your screen, you might appreciate the fact that both devices are capable of producing decent visuals. Ultimately, the display on the Samsung Galaxy M02s is solid but unremarkable. If you're in the market for a budget phone and this isn't a deal-breaker for you, then it's not likely to be a major issue. However, if display quality is your top priority, you might want to look elsewhere - perhaps at more expensive options or devices with higher-end displays. In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy M02s has a good but unremarkable display that won't wow anyone. While it's not a major flaw, it's worth considering if display quality is your top priority in a budget phone.
In our previous reviews, we've highlighted Samsung's budget phones as lackluster in terms of camera performance. Unfortunately, the Galaxy M02s continues this trend. The device features a triple-camera setup with a 13-megapixel primary sensor, accompanied by two lesser 2-megapixel macro and depth lenses. While the camera specs may sound impressive, the results are underwhelming. In comparison to its competitor, the Poco C3, we found that the M02s' images were slightly inferior, particularly in portrait shots and selfies. The difference is not drastic, but noticeable nonetheless. On some occasions, however, the M02s took better photos than the Poco C3. The camera performance of the M02s is further marred by its inability to take stabilized videos or maintain proper exposure. As expected, the 1080p 30fps footage from both front and back cameras lacks details and is not up to par with more expensive devices. For those seeking significantly better camera performance, we recommend investing an additional Rs. 2-3 thousand in devices like the Moto G9 Play or Poco M2, which offer far superior camera capabilities. In summary, while the Samsung Galaxy M02s may excel in other areas, its camera performance is a letdown. If camera quality is a priority for you, this device may not be the best choice, even among budget phones.
In 2021, Samsung launched its budget-friendly Galaxy M02s, which costs Rs. 10,000 more than its closest competitor, Poco C3. This significant price difference raises an important question: is the Galaxy M02s worth the extra cash? While the Galaxy M02s offers a sleek and ergonomic design with a dual-tone finish that looks attractive, it's essential to consider whether these features justify the additional Rs. 10,000 over the Poco C3. In our opinion, the design improvements are nice but not substantial enough to warrant such a high price. On the performance front, both phones have similar specs, with the Galaxy M02s featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chip. Surprisingly, there's not much difference in real-world usage, and the Poco C3's Helio G35 chip keeps pace. While gaming on the Galaxy M02s was smoother than expected, this is not enough to justify the premium price. The camera setup, too, is similar between the two phones, with the Galaxy M02s featuring a 13-megapixel primary sensor and 2-megapixel macro and depth lenses. Image quality is decent but not exceptional, and in some cases, the Poco C3 takes better photos. One area where the Galaxy M02s does have an edge is battery life. Both phones feature a 5,000mAh battery, which provides a day's usage easily. However, the Galaxy M02s supports 15W fast charging, while the Poco C3 is limited to 10W. While the Samsung Galaxy M02s has its strengths, we believe that the price difference between it and the Poco C3 is too great. For an additional Rs. 10,000, you can get a phone with more impressive features, better camera performance, and similar battery life. If budget is not a concern, the Galaxy M02s might be a good choice. However, if you're on a tighter budget, we recommend considering alternatives like the Poco C3 or other budget-friendly options in the market.
In our previous reviews, Samsung's budget phones had left much to be desired. However, with the introduction of the Galaxy M02s, it seems like the company is trying to rectify its past mistakes. When it comes to performance, the Galaxy M02s holds its own against its competitors, including the Poco C3. The phone features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor, which may seem outdated compared to the Helio G35 on the Poco C3. However, in everyday usage, we couldn't notice any significant difference between the two phones. The Galaxy M02s' UI feels slightly faster due to its animations, but other than that, both phones have similar performance in our gaming tests. Surprisingly, the M02s delivered a smooth gaming experience on PUBG Mobile under balance graphics and medium frame rates, while the Poco C3's gameplay was choppy. Call of Duty Mobile also runs smoothly on the Galaxy M02s with medium graphic settings and max frame rates, without any noticeable lag or frame drop. The phone's Qualcomm silicon also doesn't heat up too much after continuous usage. While the performance may not be spectacular, it's decent enough to get the job done for most users. However, if you're a heavy gamer, you might want to consider other options with more powerful processors. Overall, the Galaxy M02s' performance is on par with its competitors in the budget segment. While it may not impress with its raw power, it's a reliable choice for everyday usage and light gaming.