Blitzkrieg. It explains Samsung’s aggressive moves across multiple price segments. There’s the premium S series, the A-Series and now the M Series that was conceptualised in India. It’s probably no coincidence that these three product lines are now S-A-M. The M Series is exclusively available on online platforms, for a whole new generation of consumers. The M40 is the biggest step for this all-new line. It isn’t just at the top of the M Series heap but also pits it against Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 Pro, one of the devices to beat in the sub Rs 20,000 segment.
The camera is one of the key battlefronts as mid-range phones have seriously upped their game over the past 12 months. The Galaxy M40 is kitted with a solid 16MP Selfie shooter that impressed in our tests. It’s the rear cam that is one of its headline features. Samsung opts for a triple lens strategy that is built around a 32MP (f/1.7 aperture) primary lens. It’s not as formidable as the 48MP primary lens on the Note 7 Pro but still scores with its versatility.
The 8MP ultra-wide lens is one of the features that add to the M40’s appeal opening up a wide set of possibilities especially when you shoot landscapes. And then there’s the 5MP depth camera that allows you to shoot with Samsung’s Live Focus Mode. You can blur backgrounds and snap bokeh style images with surprisingly good results for a device at this price point. And then there are multiple video modes from super slow-mo to hyper-lapse and the ability to shoot 4K videos. Overall this device does well in ambient light conditions.
Power users form a big chunk of smartphone buyers at this price point. The Galaxy M40 is propelled by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 Processor that drives the Note 7 Pro. The device’s AnTuTu benchmark score during our tests was just slightly lower than the Note 7 Pro. Other hardware highlights include 6GB of RAM and 128GB of Internal memory plus room for Micro SD cards up to 512 GB. This is clearly enough firepower for most users. The 3500 mAh battery fared well in our tests too; you should comfortably sail through a day even with an extensive camera and video usage. Samsung sweetens the deal with fast charging made possible by the 15W type-C charger.
Now that we have the camera and the hardware out of the way, we can focus on the stuff – three key areas, that gives the M40 a big edge over its rivals. The first thing you will probably notice is the gorgeous screen – Samsung’s Infinity O display. It’s likely to remind you of the S10 flagships with its immersive appeal – there’s just the tiny cut-out for the selfie camera. The 6.3-inch FHD+ display (1080 x 2340 pixels / 19.5:9 aspect ratio / 409 PPI) is great for graphic-intense games or Netflix on the go. What’s equally impressive is the form factor; the device weighs under 170 gms and is just 6.9 mm thick despite this large screen. Samsung’s decision to opt for a polycarbonate back keeps it light and yet manages to retain a premium aura.
Samsung’s custom One UI is the brand’s other big weapon. We were mighty impressed when we first tested this on the brand’s premium flagships; it finally keeps up with Samsung’s superior hardware with great all-around user experience. The Samsung Galaxy M40 covers enough bases to please different segments of buyers and make a serious impact in the super competitive sub Rs 20,000 price band it lands in.
The Samsung Galaxy M40 is priced at Rs 19,990. The M40 is available in two colours – Midnight Blue and Seawater Blue.