Samsung Galaxy M33 review
The Samsung Galaxy M33 is a mid-range smartphone that fails to impress despite its decent features. The phone has an all-plastic build with a reflective finish on the back, which makes it prone to fingerprints and smudges. The design is nothing special, and the TFT display is not up to par with other mid-range phones, lacking vibrant colors and contrast. Performance-wise, the Galaxy M33 shines with its Exynos 1280 chipset, which handles day-to-day tasks smoothly and gaming performance is decent, although it may struggle with high-end titles. The phone comes pre-installed with Android 12-based One UI 4.1, which is a plus, but there's room for improvement in software optimization. The camera setup on the Galaxy M33 has a 50MP triple-camera configuration, which delivers good results under daylight scenarios, but struggles at night. The ultra-wide-angle camera takes mediocre photos with noticeable color shifts. Selfies are decent, though. Battery life is one of the standout features, with an impressive 6,000mAh battery that can last up to two days on a single charge. However, the phone doesn't come with a compatible charger in the box. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy M33 feels like a missed opportunity to create a balanced mid-range smartphone. While it has some good features, its mediocre display and build make it hard to recommend over other options in this price range, such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro or Poco X4 Pro.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy M33's build quality and design are underwhelming, especially considering the mid-range segment it occupies. The phone's all-plastic construction feels cheap and lacks the premium feel that other brands in this price range have managed to achieve. While the 6000mAh battery is a plus, contributing to the phone's noticeable heft, the weight distribution is still relatively good. However, the overall design of the Galaxy M33 doesn't impress, with a reflective finish on the back that readily picks up fingerprints and smudges. The capacitive fingerprint scanner is accurate, but its placement on the side panel feels slightly inconvenient. Additionally, the phone's lack of an official IP certification and rubber gasket protection for the SIM tray make it less desirable in terms of durability. In comparison to other mid-range phones available in 2022, the Galaxy M33's design feels dated. The teardrop notch, which was once a staple of Samsung's design language, now seems outdated as many other brands have moved on to more modern and sleeker designs featuring AMOLED screens. The reflective finish on the back, while not necessarily unattractive, doesn't quite match the level of polish seen in other phones in this price range. The overall build quality, despite being decently solid, doesn't instill confidence when it comes to withstanding daily wear and tear. Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy M33's build quality and design are its most significant drawbacks. While not inherently "bad," they certainly don't contribute to a compelling value proposition for potential buyers.
Battery Life
One of the highlights of the Samsung Galaxy M33 is its impressive battery life. The phone packs a large 6000mAh battery, which can easily provide eight to nine hours of screen time. If you're someone who doesn't use your phone too much, the Galaxy M33 will last you two days without any issues. However, like other Samsung phones in 2022, the Galaxy M33 does not come with a compatible charger inside the box. You'll have to purchase a separate 25W charger, which takes around an hour and 40 minutes to fully charge the phone. While the battery life is impressive, it's worth noting that it's not without its quirks. The phone's power efficiency is good enough to last through the day, but it's not exceptional by any means. You'll still have to be mindful of your usage patterns to get the most out of the battery. The lack of a fast charger in the box is also a letdown, considering the phone's otherwise decent specs. Overall, while the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy M33 is certainly respectable, it's not enough to make up for the phone's other shortcomings.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy M33 has been my daily driver for about a month now, and I must say that the display is one area where this phone falls short. After testing it thoroughly, I'm disappointed to report that the M33's TFT screen doesn't quite live up to the standards set by its competitors. While the 6-inch Full HD+ display looks decent on paper, in reality, it fails to deliver the best colors and contrast you'd expect from a Samsung phone. The lack of an AMOLED panel is particularly noticeable, making this mid-ranger feel like a step backward in terms of display technology. In comparison to other brands offering vibrant AMOLED screens on their mid-range phones, the M33's TFT panel feels outdated and uninspired. Even the teardrop notch, which was once a signature feature of Samsung phones, now seems like a relic of the past. That being said, I did notice that the viewing angles on this display are decent, and sharpness is not an issue with a Full HD screen. Additionally, the Widevine L1 certification allows for high-res content streaming on OTT platforms. While the M33's audio quality is also underwhelming (more on that later), its camera setup has its strengths. However, when it comes to the display, Samsung seems to have missed an opportunity to deliver a truly competitive mid-range smartphone experience. If you're in the market for a new phone with a great display, I'd recommend exploring other options like the Redmi Note 11 Pro or Poco X4 Pro, which offer much better AMOLED screens and overall value. For a Samsung-branded device on a tight budget, the Galaxy F23 is another viable option. Overall, while there are some redeeming qualities to the M33's display, it's a disappointment in an era where mid-range phones should be pushing the boundaries of what we expect from a smartphone screen.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy M33's camera performance is a mixed bag, with some aspects impressing while others falling short. The phone boasts a 50-megapixel triple-camera setup at the back and an 8-megapixel selfie shooter. In daylight scenarios, the Galaxy M33 takes relatively better photos with improved dynamic range and HDR processing compared to its competitors. However, when it comes to ultra-wide-angle shots (5 megapixels), the images are marred by a notable color shift and greenish-blue hue, which is disappointing for a mid-range phone. Portraits taken on the Galaxy M33 exhibit consistent colors, good background separation, and accurate skin tone, outshining its competitors in this regard. Selfies also benefit from superior contrast and dynamic range, making them look more vibrant than those captured by the Redmi Note 11 Pro. However, the nighttime performance is where the Galaxy M33 falters. Regular images lack detail compared to the competition, while the Redmi Note 11 Pro's shots are sharper. Despite this, the Galaxy M33's Night mode compensates with better HDR processing and dynamic range, but it still lags behind in terms of overall image quality. When it comes to video recording, the Galaxy M33 can shoot up to 4K at 30fps, while its competitors top out at 1080p 30fps. However, the Galaxy M33's videos aren't always stable, especially when shooting in 1080p 60fps and 4K 30fps modes. The selfie video performance is also subpar, with both phones struggling to capture smooth footage. If I had to choose between the two, I'd prefer the Galaxy M33's efforts, but it's still not a highlight of the phone. In conclusion, while the Samsung Galaxy M33's camera offers some redeeming qualities, its overall performance is marred by inconsistent image quality and subpar video recording. For those seeking better photography capabilities from their mid-range smartphone, there are other options available that might be worth considering.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy M33 is a mid-range smartphone that fails to deliver a balanced experience despite some decent features. The phone's price tag is around $300, which is a bit steep considering what it offers. One of the major drawbacks of the Galaxy M33 is its mediocre design. The all-plastic build and outdated teardrop notch are not particularly impressive in 2022, especially when compared to other mid-range phones that offer better-looking designs. Additionally, the phone's reflective finish on the back panel readily picks up fingerprints and smudges. In terms of value, the Galaxy M33 fails to impress. The camera setup is decent but not outstanding, with some notable color shifts in ultra-wide-angle photos. The display is also a letdown, with a TFT screen that doesn't deliver the best colors and contrast. On top of that, the phone's mono speaker can get loud enough for basic tasks like watching movies, but it doesn't provide an immersive listening experience. Considering these shortcomings, I think the Galaxy M33 overpriced at $300. For a slightly higher price, you could get better mid-range smartphones like the Redmi Note 11 Pro or Poco X4 Pro, which offer amoled screens, stereo speakers, and glass sandwich builds that feel more premium. In fact, if budget is not an issue, I would recommend considering the Samsung Galaxy F23 instead. It offers similar features and experience to the Galaxy M33 at a slightly lower price point, making it a better value for money. Overall, while the Galaxy M33 has some decent specs, its subpar design and mediocre performance make it hard to justify the price tag. If you're looking for a budget-friendly Samsung smartphone with more features and better value, there are other options available that might be worth considering.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy M33 is a decent mid-range smartphone that fails to impress in some key areas. Despite its respectable performance, it misses the mark when it comes to delivering a balanced and impressive overall experience. Under the hood, the phone is powered by the company's in-house Exynos 1280 chipset, which is on par with the Snapdragon 695 found in many mid-range devices. This results in smooth day-to-day usage, and our testing revealed no issues with memory management. Additionally, the device comes pre-installed with Android 12-based One UI 4.1, providing a solid foundation for software. The phone's performance is further enhanced by its support for Samsung's RAM Plus feature, which allows users to bump the phone's memory up to an impressive 16 GB. However, this boost has limited bearing on the overall performance. One area where the Galaxy M33 truly shines is in gaming. The device can handle games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates and graphics settings, with Call of Duty delivering stable 60 fps gameplay after a recent update. Critical Ops and other popular titles are also playable at 120 Hz without any major heating issues. However, it's worth noting that the phone's Mali G68 GPU may struggle with more demanding games or those requiring intense graphical processing. Nonetheless, for casual gaming enthusiasts, the Galaxy M33 provides an enjoyable experience. While not spectacular in any one area, the Galaxy M33's performance is solid and reliable, making it a decent choice for those seeking a mid-range smartphone that won't disappoint. However, for those looking for a more premium experience or higher-end features, other options like the Redmi Note 11 Pro or Poco X4 Pro may be worth considering. In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy M33's performance is its strongest aspect, but it falls short in delivering a truly exceptional overall experience due to mediocre display and build quality.