The Samsung Galaxy M02s is the first Samsung phone to be launched in India in 2021. It is a budget phone and mainly competes with the Xiaomi Redmi 8, 9 series and other brands such as Tecno, Itel, and Infinix.
Samsung has been present in the budget segment in India for quite some time now. The company has strived to meet our needs on a budget with the Galaxy M series producing different phones from time to time.
The newest entrant to the arena is the new Samsung Galaxy M02s, which is trying to make a powerful machine for less than 10K. And when “Max Up” comes before every aspect of the smartphone, we expect powerful performance more than ever.
With the same thought, I was able to use the Galaxy M02s for a while to see what the device looks like. Here are my initial thoughts on the new budget smartphone:
Design and Build Quality: It’s a new design (at least for Samsung Galaxy M02s!)
Samsung has been following one type of design for a while. But with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy M02s, it has made some changes, at least in the Galaxy M series. If you look at the Galaxy M02 or the Galaxy M01s, the Galaxy M02s seems like a great update, especially with the “Haze and Matt” design.
The matte look is always a winner because it doesn’t pick up smudges. This was more attractive on a black chassis, which I could actually use. In addition to the black color, there are red and blue color options to choose from, which look just as good But it still features Samsung’s own rectangular rear camera, which is no longer refreshing.
Samsung Galaxy M02s design (back)
Initially, there is a 6.5-inch Infinity-V screen, with which Samsung refers to a drop-shaped notch. The screen is meant to give the viewing experience “Max Up”, which is the new way of spending time.
The smartphone is easier to hold and view content, but it is relatively heavier. With our desire for lightweight phones, this proves to be a problem, especially when trying to use the phone with one hand.
Galaxy M02s design (front)
The display has an HD + screen resolution and the smaller bezels provide a better experience. While I haven’t used the device long enough to understand the screen, there was one disappointing thing.
The screen was not as bright as I had experienced with the other Samsung phones. I understand that a budget phone shouldn’t lack the features of a high-end phone, but I’d like to see Samsung bring its screen magic to Rs. 10,000 to stand out and compete with rivals such as Xiaomi and Realme.
In terms of aesthetics, the Galaxy M02s have a SIM card slot on the left, a power button, and a volume rocker on the right. The top has a microphone and the bottom has a 3.5mm audio jack, a USB Type-C port, and a speaker grille.
The headphone jack on the bottom is one of the good things about the device. What’s not good is the lack of a fingerprint scanner. This is the Face Unlock feature, although the option to enable did not appear during the phone setup.
Overall, I like that Samsung has adopted a different texture for its budget phone and it certainly looks attractive. Build quality is decent but the phone is prone to scratches and the slightest drop can cause it. Therefore, it must be handled with care.
Samsung Galaxy M02s performance review
Samsung phone includes a 14nm 1.8GHz Snapdragon 450 octa-core processor, supported by Adreno 506 GPU. It runs Android 10-based One UI 2.0 with 3GB / 4GB RAM, 32GB / 64GB storage, expandable up to 1TB via micro SD card.
The Samsung Galaxy M02s runs smoothly in terms of daily tasks such as launching apps, operating the camera, switching between multiple apps, browsing the web, and even small games like Angry Birds or Temple Run. However, like other economy-class phones, they are not made for extreme gaming.
Parents may find this a blessing to give this phone to kids and don’t have to worry about getting addicted to online games. This can be put to good use for hours of online classes.
Speaking of long hours, the Samsung M02s comes with a massive 5,000 mAh battery. It can easily last more than a day in mixed-use, including streaming multimedia content (over WiFi) and making or answering calls, playing not-so-intense games, and other things.
The phone’s retail package comes with a 15W Type-C charging cable.
Samsung Galaxy M02s camera review
The cameras have been updated with the addition of an additional rear camera sensor. The phone supports the bokeh effect, macro photography, beauty filters, and more.
Samsung is one of the few budget phones with a triple camera module. It comes with a 13 MP (f / 2.2) + 2 MP depth (f / 2.4) + 2 MP (f / 2.4) main macro – with an LED flashlight.
Take reasonably good photos in sunlight. Photos retain detail with near-accurate colors. In the dark, the autofocus seems to show some delay. You need to have a steady hand to get a steady shot and it’s worth the patience. It can also record Full HD (1080p) at 30 frames per second (fps).
As for the front camera, it has a 5MP sensor (f / 2.2). Take decent quality selfies with its class of phones.
As a reminder, the Galaxy M02s comes with a 6.5-inch HD + Infinity-V display and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor, it comes in two RAM/storage variants: 3 GB / 32 GB and 4 GB / 64 GB.
It is backed by a 5000 mAh battery and runs on the Android 10-based Samsung One UI. Camera-wise, there are three rear cameras (13 megapixels, 2 megapixels, 2 megapixels) and a 5-megapixel front camera.
The Galaxy M02s certainly looks very promising
The smartphone, starting at Rs. 8,999, is a competitive device with many “assets”. You get a large 5,000 mAh battery, a large screen, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor for smooth browsing.
It’s good enough to compete with devices such as the Realme C15 or any other Realme C device and the Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power. Speaking of the user interface, the Android 10-based Samsung One UI requires neat and streamlined use.
There’s no bloatware, but a few preloaded apps can be problematic for some if you just don’t need them. Netflix’s presence doesn’t count as one for me, though, and for many who like to binge.
Conclusion – Samsung Galaxy M02s review
Overall, the Galaxy M02s is a decent budget phone worth the asking price. It is a good option for those looking for an affordable mobile phone with long battery life for the elderly.
The Samsung Galaxy M02s is a definite upgrade to the Galaxy M01s or even the Galaxy M02 and the good thing is that it sits below Rs. 10,000 and is a member of the segment that is sure to attract more and more users. However, the absence of a fingerprint sensor is questionable.
That said, it’s a bit early to tell what the device will look like. Hence, you will have to do it for a full assessment of it.
