Samsung has already launched quite a few mid-range phones in 2022. While some of them, such as the Galaxy F23, A33 and A53, have been overall impressive devices, there are offerings that have disappointed us significantly, like the Galaxy A23. Anyways, among the recent releases, I’ve been using the Galaxy M33 as my daily driver for almost a month now. And, in this review, I’ll be sharing all my experiences with the Samsung Galaxy M33 5G.
Samsung Galaxy M33 5G Specifications:
- Dimensions: 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4mm, 198g
- Display: 6.6-inch TFT LCD, 120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass 5
- Resolution: FHD+ (1080 x 2400 pixels), ~400 PPI, 20:9 aspect ratio
- Processor: Exynos 1280 (5nm)
- CPU: Quad-core– 2x Cortex-A78 (2.4 GHz)– 6x Cortex-A55 (2.0 GHz)
- GPU: Mali-G68
- Memory: 6/8GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable up to 1TB)
- Software: Android 12 based OneUI 4.1
- Rear Camera: Quad;
– 50MP f/1.8 primary
– 5MP f/2.2 ultrawide
– 2MP f/2.4 depth
– 2MP f/2.4 macro - Front Camera: 8MP f/2.2 (Infinity-V notch)
- Audio: Mono speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Battery: 6000mAh, 25W (No charger in Box)
- Security: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Connectivity: Dual-SIM (Nano), WiFi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 5.1, A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
- Colors: Green, Blue, Brown
- Price in Nepal: NPR 33,999 (6/128GB) | 35,999 (8/128GB)
Samsung Galaxy M33 5G Review:
Design
- 165.4 x 76.9 x 9.4mm, 215g
- Plastic back/frames, Glass front
Okay, let’s start this review with something that is easily perceivable about any phone—the overall design and build quality. And here, it’s pretty much what we’re used to seeing on a mid-range Samsung phone: an all-plastic build with a reflective finish on the back.
So yeah, it certainly lags behind in terms of a premium feel compared to a glass-back phone. And, because of the reflective finish, the back panel readily picks up fingerprints and smudges. This can easily be avoided with a case, but you will surely be disappointed to know that Samsung doesn’t include one inside the box this time.
Personally, I do prefer using a phone without the case. And fortunately enough, M33 has held up to my rigorous usage pattern, as there were no scratches on the back or frames to date. But, the company should not cheap out on providing such a basic TPU cover.
The M33 5G also misses out on IP certification, and the SIM tray lacks a rubber gasket protection as well. Therefore, one must have to be really cautious when taking it to shower and such.
In terms of hands-on feel, the Galaxy M33 has a definite heft to it—which is mostly thanks to the big 6000mAh battery inside. But honestly, it’s not uncomfortably heavy to hold—thanks to the excellent weight distribution and ergonomic design. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a slim and sleek device by any means. As for biometrics, there is a side-mounted fingerprint scanner which is quite accurate and reliable.
Display
- 6.6-inches FHD+ TFT LCD, Gorilla Glass 5
- 120/300Hz refresh/touch sampling rate
- Widevine L1
Moving on, Samsung’s offering lags behind in the display department as well since the phone ships with a 120Hz TFT screen. So, it’s pretty apparent and obvious that this display doesn’t deliver the best colors and contrast you would expect from a mid-range Samsung phone. Even the outdated teardrop notch is still present here!
As a result, this is definitely where most of the criticisms surrounding the phone revolve—especially for a name like Samsung which has always been known for manufacturing the best smartphone displays.
In comparison, Xiaomi is readily offering a vibrant AMOLED screen on Note 11 Pro 5G, while Samsung’s stance against the AMOLED panel on its mid-range 5G device seems pretty dubious. Still and all, this TFT panel is of decent quality with a not-so-bad viewing angle. And, because this is a Full HD screen, I didn’t face any problem with the screen’s sharpness either. The phone also has Widevine L1 certification that lets you watch Full HD content on OTT platforms.
Audio
- Mono speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack
While we’re on the subject of content consumption, let’s also sum up its audio quality. And, like the display, M33’s audio quality leaves things to be desired as well. Here, Samsung has gone with a simple bottom-firing mono speaker which can get loud enough for binging movies and such. But it does not provide the same degree of immersive music experience as a stereo speaker setup.
Call quality, on the other hand, is perfectly fine. However, the sensitivity of its virtual proximity sensor is not so good. On a few occasions, I noticed that the screen doesn’t turn off when holding the phone close to the ear during a call.
Performance
- Octa-core Exynos 1280 SoC (5nm)
- 6/8GB RAM, 128GB storage
- Android 12 with OneUI 4.1 on top
Despite the relatively sub-par display and audio, M33 delivers pretty great results when it comes to performance. It is powered by the company’s in-house Exynos 1280 chipset which is on par with the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset that is making rounds on a lot of mid-rangers these days.
As a result, the phone can easily handle regular day-to-day tasks and I have no complaints with its memory management either. Likewise, with a 120Hz refresh rate on board, cruising through this display feels smooth and fast. It also enjoys a RAM expansion feature called RAM Plus up to 8GB, which bumps the phone’s memory to a whopping 16GB. Yet, it has very little bearing on the phone’s overall performance in practical usage.
Excellent software support
The better news, though, is that the handset comes pre-installed with Android 12-based One UI 4.1 which puts the Galaxy M33 on solid ground. And, this custom skin is chock full of good stuff. Like, here you get Google’s Material You like dynamic color theming, object eraser in photos, and others. But, what’s even more commendable is that the company is promising up to 2 years of Android and 4 years of security patch updates.
Having said that, there is still room for improvement in terms of proper software optimization, as I have encountered micro stutters and lags occasionally when scrolling through the UI or Twitter feeds.
Gaming
Now, when it comes to gaming, PUBG Mobile maxes out at just HD graphics and a High Frame rate. But, even at Smooth and Balanced graphics, the frame rate doesn’t go beyond 30fps. Even Call of Duty couldn’t hit 60fps before, but with a recent update, it now renders a stable 60fps gameplay.
On the other hand, heavy games like Genshin Impact take a toll on the 1280 and the gameplay is stuttery even at the lowest possible setting. Nonetheless, higher fps games like Critical Ops and Oddmar are well playable at 120fps. During all my gaming sessions, I didn’t face any major heating issues, although the phone got slightly warm near the camera module on a few occasions.
Cameras
- Quad camera setup at the back
- (50MP main, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP depth, 2MP macro)
- 8MP selfie camera (teardrop notch)
Turning night mode on, the M33 compensates for its performance with better HDR processing and dynamic range.
Videos
Getting into the videos, the Samsung Galaxy M33 can shoot up to 4K@30fps footage, while the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G can only capture 1080@60fps. Nevertheless, the M33’s 1080p@60fps and 4K@30fps videos don’t have the best stabilization. 1080p@30fps videos, however, are relatively steady, especially when compared to the Note 11 Pro 5G. Likewise, while both phones don’t capture the best selfie videos, if I had to pick one, I will go with the Galaxy M33.
Battery
- 6000mAh battery, 25W charging
- No charger in the box
Moving on, something that’s incredible about this phone is undoubtedly the battery life. As I mentioned earlier, Samsung has fitted in a big 6000mAh battery here that can easily provide 8-9 hours of screen on time. And if you’re someone who doesn’t really do much with their phone, the M33 will easily last you 2 days.
However, Samsung has cut corners by not including a compatible charger in the box. And that’s kind of frustrating if you ask me. So, you have to separately purchase a 25W charger that takes around 1 hour and 40 min to fully juice up the cell.
Samsung Galaxy M33 5G Review: Conclusion
Okay, time to wrap up this review. So, what do I think of this smartphone? In my opinion, it has an overall good set of cameras, an out-of-the-box Android 12 experience that too with a good number of pledged software updates and good battery life.
While that is mostly positive about the phone, there are a few major things that limit the Galaxy M33 5G to be an all-arounder device. Like the TFT screen, an all-plastic build, mono speaker, and no IP certification. For a slightly higher price, the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G and Samsung’s own Galaxy A52 4G offer a really good AMOLED screen, stereo speaker setup, and a more premium design.
Samsung Galaxy M33 5G Review: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Fairly modern look
- Excellent software support
- Good battery life
- Reliable performance
- Decent cameras
Cons:
- TFT display
- No charger in the box
- Mono speaker
I have been using the Samsung Galaxy M33 5G for nearly 10 days now and the question now is: is it one of the best phones available under Rs 20,000? Second, should the Galaxy M32 5G users upgrade? Let's find out answers to all these queries in the review.
Indian consumers often form an opinion about a phone with the kind of specifications it offers on paper. Samsung probably understands that and introduced its Galaxy M series, back in 2019, with exactly the same strategy in mind. To offer the best possible specifications at the best possible price.
Ever since the Galaxy M series was introduced in India, we have seen a number of models across various price segments, from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000. One of the latest offerings in the lineup is the Galaxy M33 5G which also comes with support for 5G. This one succeeds the Galaxy M32 5G from last year, which is still one of the best phones available under the price of Rs 20,000.
The Samsung Galaxy M33 5G starts at Rs 18,999 for the base 6GB+128GB variant and goes up to Rs 20,499 for the top-end 8GB+128GB storage model. For early buyers, the smartphone manufacturer is offering the phone starting at Rs 17,999. Additionally, there are some bank offers available to make it a much more tempting deal.
I have been using the Samsung Galaxy M33 5G for nearly 10 days now and the question now is: is it one of the best phones available under Rs 20,000? Second, should the Galaxy M32 5G users upgrade? Let’s find out answers to all these queries in the review.
Design, build
The Samsung Galaxy M33 5G looks good and clean but is not very unique. It offers a regular square-shaped camera module at the back and a waterdrop notch on the front. The overall design is inspired by the Galaxy M32. The phone comes in blue and green.
Even though the design is kind of a little boring, I like how the glossy back panel doesn't register fingerprints even when my hand was sweaty, thanks to the humidity in Noida.
The form factor is quite good, in my opinion. It is convenient to play games, watch videos, type messages, or write emails on this one. But I feel the weight could have been slightly more balanced. There’s a bigger battery inside that adds to the weight but this isn't the first Samsung phone with a 6000mAh battery. There are models with such a big battery setup and yet very well balanced.
One drawback though is the plastic panel at the back. Most brands at this price segment offer a glass back, so not having that in the Galaxy M33 5G is disappointing. But the good thing is, the plastic panel doesn’t look cheap. The polish on the top not only helps with fingerprint smudges but also makes the phone look stylish and pricier at the same time. Even the frames I wish were metallic and not plastic.
While the design is a mixed bag, the Galaxy M33 5G offers a superb build. It is one solid phone and feels sturdy in the hands. I used the phone without a cover and it was able to handle the rough handling. Not many scratches on the screen or the back panel registered even after 10 days of rigorously using the device.
Display
Even though the Samsung Galaxy M33 5G doesn’t offer an AMOLED panel, the screen gets quite bright under the blazing sun. It features a 6.6-inch Full HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and Corning Gorilla Glass protection on the top. There’s a waterdrop notch at the top, bezels are also pretty slim on the sides.
I do not personally like my phone/laptop’s screen to be too bright, so 60 per cent brightness level was apt for me during the morning time. However, around 1PM, under the bright sunlight, the screen brightness had to be at maximum to be clearly visible.
The Galaxy M33 5G offers a decent multimedia experience. Whether it is for watching YouTube videos or shows on Netflix or even browning Instagram or Twitter, the screen was bright enough at 60 per cent and the colours looked punchy. The viewing angles were also quite decent.
It is good to see Samsung offering a 120hz screen refresh rate at this price segment. It looks good on paper but doesn’t show significant differences in real-life usage.
Performance
Samsung Galaxy M33 5G is powered by Exynos 1280 SoC and supports 12 5G Bands. It comes bundled with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. There’s expandable RAM support up to 16GB. It also includes Power Cool Technology to control heat dissipation.
In my 10 days with the phone, it offered decent performance and was able to handle basic daily tasks like browsing the internet, sending emails and messages, clicking photos and more easily. But when it comes to multitasking, and constantly switching between apps, the smartphone lagged in many situations. The tough response and scrolling also felt laggy sometimes. The good bit is, despite running up to 15 apps in the background the phone didn’t heat up much.
On the software front, the Galaxy M33 5G ships with Android-based OneUI 4.1 out of the box. Just as expensive Samsung phones, the M33 5G also offers clean software with very minimal preinstalled apps, which can be deleted when required.
Camera
The camera department is where the Galaxy M33 5G does a pretty good job, especially for the price it comes for. On the rear panel, the smartphone includes four cameras including a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 2-megapixel macro sensor, a 20-megapixel depth sensor and a 5-megapixel ultra-wide lens.
The primary lens was able to click pretty good photos in day and low lighting situations. The photos captured pretty good details and the colors also looked quite real. The good bit is, that the photos never looked too punchy or saturated. The low-light camera performance was also quite impressive in the price segment. There’s a night mode that optimizes a photo clicked in less light. Overall, if you love posting photos on Instagram and Facebook, the Galaxy M33 5G appears to be a pretty good option in the price segment.
The portrait shots also look quite impressive, with the background properly blurred out and distinct edges. The macro performance, however, could have been better in my opinion. In most macro shots, the details are often seen missing. The colours look good in this one too. The ultra-wide lens also often misses out on details, which is again slightly disappointing.
Even the front camera performance, I believe, could have been better. The Galaxy M33 5G includes an 8-megapixel sensor on the front that sits inside the waterdrop notch. The selfies miss on details and colours look off. Same with the portrait selfie mode, where the background looks properly blurred but the edges are not so distinct. Selfies in low-light also could have been better, in my opinion.
Battery
This is one of the best aspects of the Samsung Galaxy M33 5G. The smartphone lasts one full day of heavy usage easily. Moderate usage can extend the battery life to 1.5 days very easily, on a single charge. It supports 25W fast charging but there’s no charging brick in the box. The box just includes the USB Type C port.
Samsung Galaxy M33 5G: Should you buy?
The Samsung Galaxy M33 5G is a pretty decent option to consider if you are looking for a phone under Rs 20,000. It looks decent with the great build quality. The design, however, I believe could have been slightly unique but it is still not that bad, just boring. The performance is another area where I feel the device can be a letdown, but departments like battery, display and camera are quite good. Though, macro and selfies could have been slightly improved.
Overall, if you are a Samsung fan and looking to buy a phone at an affordable price that offers a clean user experience and a great battery life, the Galaxy M33 5G is a good option to consider. If performance and camera are what matters there are phones like Redmi Note 11 Pro, Realme 9, and more. Consumers who have the Galaxy M32 can wait for the M33 5G successor.