Samsung Galaxy M34 5G review
The Samsung Samsung Galaxy M34 5G ranks as the #489 smartphone globally, achieving a LibraScore of 56. Across all metrics, this product stands out most for its #147-ranked display among 865 phones. Consider the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G or realme 11x 5G, which offer higher scores while staying in the same price range.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G's design is a familiar sight in the mid-range segment, with a vertically arranged camera module and a clean minimalist look that's characteristic of Samsung's 2023 offerings. However, despite its consistency, I don't think it's the most impressive looking phone within its price bracket. The body is fully plastic, which makes it prone to fingerprint marks and minor scratches. The glossy back also means you'll likely need to purchase a protective case separately - an added expense that many users may not be willing to incur. The power button on the right side functions as a reliable fingerprint sensor, while the left side houses a flexible SIM tray for two Nano Sims or one nano SIM plus an SD card. The front section of the display retains a water drop notch and a considerable chin bezel, which gives it an outdated appearance compared to modern infinity designs. Tipping the scales at 208 grams, the phone feels quite hefty, largely due to the massive 6000 mAh battery and its 8.8 millimeter thickness. Despite this bulkiness, Samsung has managed to distribute the weight evenly, ensuring a comfortable grip in the hand. The Galaxy M34's design may not be revolutionary, but it's functional and gets the job done. If you're looking for a phone that's more stylish within the same price range, you might want to consider other options. However, if build quality is your top priority, the Galaxy M34 should still be on your shortlist. For a superior design, Samsung Galaxy A05s could be the right choice.
Battery Life
One of the most impressive aspects of the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G is its battery life. The device packs a massive 6000mAh battery, which provides all-day usage even with demanding apps and a constant 120Hz refresh rate. During testing, I found that the phone's battery lasted for around 12 hours on a single charge, with moderate use. To put this into perspective, I ran a 15-minute session of Call of Duty Mobile at the highest graphics setting, and the battery only dropped by 3% - an incredible feat considering the demanding gameplay. The device also handled fast-paced gaming sessions without any issues, although it did get slightly warm during prolonged usage. The phone's power efficiency is commendable, and Samsung has done a great job in optimizing the device to provide long-lasting battery life. While the absence of a charger in the box might be an oversight, it's easy to purchase a compatible charger separately. Priced at Rs 18,999 for the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage variant, the Galaxy M34 5G presents itself as an attractive option for those seeking a reliable and long-lasting device. Overall, I'm impressed with the phone's battery life, which is one of its standout features. A better alternative might be Samsung Galaxy A25 5G, featuring a next-level battery.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G boasts a stunning 6.5-inch Super AMOLED FHD+ display with a 120Hz high refresh rate, making it an absolute delight to gaze at. The screen's vibrant colors and exceptional brightness (up to 1000 nits) ensure that visibility in direct sunlight is never a problem. The display's peak brightness, combined with its excellent color accuracy, creates a cinematic viewing experience. Whether you're watching your favorite show or playing games, the Galaxy M34 5G's display will transport you to a world of immersive visuals. One minor disappointment lies in the absence of HDR support on Netflix, which might leave some users feeling underwhelmed. However, the phone does offer Widevine L1 support for HD streaming, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy watching movies or TV shows on their device. The display's glass protection is top-notch, with Gorilla Glass 5 ensuring that accidental drops and scratches are kept at bay. This level of durability is reassuring, especially considering the phone's relatively affordable price tag. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G's display is a highlight of this device. Its vibrant colors, crisp visuals, and robust brightness make it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a top-notch visual experience in their smartphone. While there are minor compromises, such as the lack of HDR support on Netflix, the display's numerous strengths more than make up for these shortcomings. You may find Samsung Galaxy S23 FE a better fit, thanks to its superior display.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G boasts an impressive camera setup for its price point, but does it live up to expectations? In this review, we'll dive into the details of the phone's camera performance. The primary camera is the star of the show, with a 15-megapixel sensor that delivers vibrant colors and a high level of detail. Outdoor shots are particularly impressive, capturing crisp textures and well-defined edges. In low-light conditions, the camera struggles to produce images without any noise or grain. The ultra-wide lens is a welcome addition, offering good image quality with minimal distortion. However, there's a slight color shift difference when compared to the primary camera, which might not be ideal for those who prefer consistency across all cameras. Unfortunately, the macro lens is the weakest link in the chain, struggling to capture detailed images even in well-lit environments. It's clear that Samsung has prioritized the other two lenses over this one, and it shows. On the plus side, the 13-megapixel front camera performs admirably when provided with sufficient light. The portrait mode is a highlight, producing natural-looking results without excessive skin smoothing. The presence of OIS on the primary camera is a significant advantage, allowing for sharper images and reduced blur in handheld shots. This feature usually reserved for higher-end Samsung phones has been cleverly included in the Galaxy M34 5G. In conclusion, while the Galaxy M34 5G's camera setup is not perfect, it's certainly competitive within its price bracket. The primary camera shines with vibrant colors and good detail, but the ultra-wide lens and macro cameras leave room for improvement. If you’re after a better camera, realme 11 could be the ideal option.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G is a mid-range smartphone that offers impressive features at an affordable price point. Priced at Rs 18,999 for the base variant with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, it's hard to ignore its value proposition. One of the standout aspects of this phone is its display. The 6.5-inch Super AMOLED FHD+ screen boasts a 120Hz high refresh rate, making it ideal for content consumption and gaming. The peak brightness of 1000 nits ensures visibility in direct sunlight, and the colors are vibrant and accurate. The camera system is another highlight, featuring a 15-megapixel primary sensor with optical image stabilization, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. While it may not be the best in its class, it delivers good results, especially in outdoor lighting conditions. The inclusion of Samsung's Nitography feature is also a welcome addition. The Galaxy M34 5G is powered by an Exynos 1280 chipset, which provides seamless performance for daily tasks and gaming. The phone's massive 6000mAh battery ensures all-day usage, even with demanding apps and a constant high refresh rate. In terms of value, the Galaxy M34 5G is a compelling option in the budget 5G market. It offers a great combination of features, performance, and price, making it an attractive choice for those looking to upgrade to a mid-range smartphone without breaking the bank. While there may be some minor trade-offs, such as mediocre night photography and a slightly dated design, the overall package is hard to ignore. Overall, the Galaxy M34 5G provides excellent value for its price, making it a solid recommendation for anyone in the market for a new mid-range smartphone.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G is powered by a 5nm Exynos 1280 chipset, identical to its predecessor, the M33. My review unit came with 6GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 internal storage, expandable via microSD card. In terms of performance, the phone handles day-to-day usage and multitasking seamlessly, thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate. I noticed enhanced responsiveness in the user interface, making it a pleasure to use. Popular titles like Call of Duty: Mobile ran smoothly on medium graphics at high frame rates, although the back panel did get slightly warm during gaming. One of the standout features of the M34 is its robust power efficiency. A 15-minute gaming session resulted in only a 3% battery reduction, showcasing its impressive endurance. The device is capable of 25W fast charging, which, however, requires a compatible charger (not provided in the box). Overall, the Galaxy M34's performance is commendable, especially considering its price point. It delivers reliable performance, with no noticeable throttling issues, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a budget-friendly 5G smartphone. 4/5 While not perfect, the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G's performance is certainly one of its strong suits. With seamless day-to-day usage and impressive gaming capabilities, this phone is well worth considering in the budget 5G market. For an improved performance, Samsung Galaxy M35 is worth considering.