Author: Into Droid

Samsung Galaxy M10

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The Samsung Galaxy M10 is part of Samsung’s M series, which was introduced to target the budget segment and compete with other brands offering value-driven smartphones. Launched in early 2019, the Galaxy M10 was positioned as an entry-level device in the series. Here’s an in-depth review of the Samsung Galaxy M10:

Overview:

The Galaxy M10 was designed to cater to users looking for a basic smartphone experience with a focus on display and battery life. With its Infinity-V display and Samsung’s brand backing, it aimed to attract budget-conscious users.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Shipped with Android 8.1 (Oreo) with Samsung’s Experience 9.5 UI, later upgradable.
  2. Display: 6.22-inch PLS TFT LCD with a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels.
  3. Processor: Exynos 7870 Octa.
  4. Memory: Options of 2 GB/3 GB RAM with 16 GB/32 GB internal storage, expandable via microSDXC.
  5. Camera: Dual-camera setup with a 13 MP primary sensor and a 5 MP ultra-wide sensor. The front camera is a 5 MP shooter.
  6. Battery: 3400 mAh non-removable battery.
  7. Other Features: 3.5mm headphone jack, face unlock, and a micro USB port for charging.

Pros:

  1. Infinity-V Display: The display, with its minimal bezels, offered a modern look and a decent viewing experience for its price.
  2. Ultra-Wide Camera: The inclusion of an ultra-wide sensor was a nice touch in this price segment.
  3. Samsung Branding: Being a product from a reputable brand like Samsung added a trust factor for many users.
  4. Expandable Storage: The microSDXC slot allowed users to expand storage if needed.

Cons:

  1. Performance: The Exynos 7870, while adequate for basic tasks, wasn’t the most powerful, leading to some limitations in multitasking and gaming.
  2. Camera Performance in Low Light: The camera setup, while versatile for its price, struggled in low-light conditions.
  3. No Fingerprint Sensor: The device relied on face unlock and traditional unlocking methods, lacking a fingerprint sensor which many competitors offered.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket, the Galaxy M10 faced competition from:

  • Realme C1: Offering a 6.2-inch IPS LCD display, Snapdragon 450, and a dual-camera setup.
  • Redmi 6: Featuring a 5.45-inch IPS LCD display, MediaTek Helio P22, and a dual-camera setup.
  • Asus Zenfone Max M2: With its 6.26-inch IPS LCD display, Snapdragon 632, and a dual-camera system.

Launch Date:

The Samsung Galaxy M10 was announced in January 2019 and became available in various markets shortly after.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Software Delays: Some users reported delays in receiving software updates.
  2. Performance Hiccups: Given its budget positioning, some users experienced occasional lags and slowdowns, especially when running multiple apps.
  3. Bloatware: The device came with some pre-installed apps, which not everyone found useful.

Conclusion:

The Samsung Galaxy M10 was a decent offering in the budget segment, providing a mix of features for its price. Its display and ultra-wide camera were standout features, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious users. While it had its limitations, especially in terms of performance and camera capabilities in challenging conditions, its overall package was quite compelling for its price segment. For users looking for a basic smartphone experience from a reputable brand without spending too much, the Galaxy M10 was a viable option. However, those looking for a bit more power or additional features like a fingerprint sensor might have considered other options available in the market at the time.

Samsung Galaxy M20

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The Samsung Galaxy M20 was a pivotal release for Samsung in the budget segment, aiming to regain ground in a market increasingly dominated by Chinese brands. Here’s an in-depth review of the Samsung Galaxy M20:

Overview:

Introduced in early 2019, the Samsung Galaxy M20 was part of Samsung’s new M series, designed to appeal to younger audiences and online shoppers. With a focus on battery life, display quality, and affordability, the M20 sought to challenge the dominance of brands like Xiaomi, Realme, and Asus in the budget segment.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Shipped with Android 8.1 (Oreo) with Samsung’s Experience 9.5 UI, upgradable to Android 10 with One UI 2.0.
  2. Display: 6.3-inch PLS TFT with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, featuring a waterdrop notch (Infinity-V display).
  3. Processor: Exynos 7904.
  4. Memory: Options of 3/4 GB RAM with 32/64 GB internal storage, expandable via a microSD slot.
  5. Camera: Dual rear camera setup – 13 MP primary sensor and a 5 MP ultrawide lens. The front camera was an 8 MP shooter.
  6. Battery: A substantial 5000 mAh non-removable battery with 15W fast charging.
  7. Other Features: Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, USB Type-C, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Pros:

  1. Battery Life: The 5000 mAh battery ensured the device could easily last more than a day with moderate use.
  2. Display: The FHD+ display was sharp and vibrant, a standout in its price segment.
  3. Fast Charging: The inclusion of 15W fast charging was a welcome feature, ensuring quicker top-ups.
  4. One UI: Samsung’s revamped UI was cleaner and more user-friendly than its previous software iterations.

Cons:

  1. Performance: The Exynos 7904 was decent for daily tasks but lagged behind competitors in terms of gaming and heavy multitasking.
  2. Camera Performance: While versatile with its ultrawide lens, the camera setup was average in low-light conditions.
  3. Build Quality: The device had a plastic build, which, while durable, didn’t feel as premium as some metal or glass competitors.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price range, the Samsung Galaxy M20 faced competition from:

  • Redmi Note 7: Offering a glass build, Snapdragon 660 chipset, and a 48 MP primary camera.
  • Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2: With its stock Android experience, Snapdragon 660, and a large battery.
  • Realme 3: Known for its Helio P70 chipset, ColorOS software, and dynamic design.

Launch Date:

The Samsung Galaxy M20 was announced in January 2019.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Software Optimization: Some users reported occasional stutters or lags, especially when running multiple apps or heavy games.
  2. Camera Processing: The camera software sometimes produced inconsistent results, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
  3. Speaker Quality: The down-firing speaker was considered average by some users, lacking in depth and clarity.

Conclusion:

The Samsung Galaxy M20 was a significant step for Samsung in the budget segment, addressing the needs of modern users with its large battery, quality display, and fast charging. While it had areas that could be improved, especially in terms of performance, the device marked Samsung’s renewed commitment to competing in the budget segment. The M20, along with other M series phones, played a crucial role in Samsung’s strategy to regain market share in the competitive budget smartphone market.

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2

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The Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 was a notable release in the budget to mid-range segment, building on the success of its predecessor. Here’s an in-depth review of the Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2:

Overview:

Launched in late 2018, the Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 aimed to offer a balanced mix of performance, battery life, and affordability. It was a direct successor to the Zenfone Max Pro M1 and sought to address some of the shortcomings of the earlier model.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Shipped with Android 8.1 (Oreo), with a near-stock Android experience.
  2. Display: 6.26-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 2280 pixels, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 6.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660.
  4. Memory: Options of 3/4/6 GB RAM with 32/64 GB internal storage, expandable via a microSD slot.
  5. Camera: Dual rear camera setup – 12 MP primary sensor and a 5 MP depth sensor. The front camera was a 13 MP shooter with an LED flash.
  6. Battery: A massive 5000 mAh non-removable battery.
  7. Other Features: Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, dedicated microSD slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Pros:

  1. Battery Life: The 5000 mAh battery was one of the device’s standout features, ensuring the phone could easily last more than a day with moderate use.
  2. Stock Android Experience: Unlike many competitors, the device offered a near-stock Android experience, which was appreciated by purists.
  3. Performance: The Snapdragon 660, combined with ample RAM options, provided a smooth experience for daily tasks and moderate gaming.
  4. Value for Money: Given its features and performance, the device offered excellent value for its price point.

Cons:

  1. Camera Performance: While decent in well-lit conditions, the camera setup struggled in low-light scenarios.
  2. Plastic Build: The device had a plastic back, which, while durable, didn’t feel as premium as some competitors with glass or metal finishes.
  3. Slow Charging: Despite its large battery, the device lacked fast charging, resulting in longer charging times.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket, the Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 faced competition from:

  • Redmi Note 6 Pro: Offering a similar Snapdragon 660 chipset, MIUI software experience, and a more versatile camera setup.
  • Realme 2 Pro: With its waterdrop notch design, Snapdragon 660, and ColorOS software.
  • Motorola Moto G6 Plus: Known for its stock-like Android experience and robust build quality.

Launch Date:

The Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 was unveiled in December 2018.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Software Updates: Some users reported delays in receiving software updates, especially major Android version upgrades.
  2. Camera Software Processing: Despite the hardware, some users felt the camera software processing could be inconsistent, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
  3. Speaker Quality: The bottom-firing speaker was considered average by some users, lacking in depth and richness.

Conclusion:

The Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 was a strong contender in the budget to mid-range segment, especially for those prioritizing battery life and a stock Android experience. While it had areas that could be improved, especially in the camera department, the overall package was compelling for its price. The device further solidified Asus’s position in the competitive budget smartphone market.

Asus Zenfone Max M2

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The Asus Zenfone Max M2 was a part of Asus’s strategy to capture the budget to mid-range smartphone market. Launched in 2018, the Zenfone Max M2 was positioned as a device that offers a blend of decent performance, camera capabilities, and impressive battery life. Here’s an in-depth review of the Asus Zenfone Max M2:

Overview:

The Asus Zenfone Max M2 was designed for users who wanted a reliable daily driver without spending too much. With its large battery as a primary selling point, it aimed to cater to users who prioritize battery longevity and basic performance.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Shipped with Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) with Asus’s ZenUI skin.
  2. Display: 6.26-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 632.
  4. Memory: Options of 3 GB/4 GB RAM with 32 GB/64 GB internal storage, expandable via microSDXC.
  5. Camera: Dual-camera setup with a 13 MP primary sensor and a 2 MP depth sensor. The front camera is an 8 MP shooter.
  6. Battery: A substantial 4000 mAh non-removable battery.
  7. Other Features: Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, 3.5mm headphone jack.

Pros:

  1. Impressive Battery Life: The 4000 mAh battery ensured that the device could easily last a day, even with moderate to heavy usage.
  2. Decent Performance: The Snapdragon 632 provided a balanced performance for day-to-day tasks and light gaming.
  3. Stock-like Android Experience: Asus’s ZenUI on the Max M2 was closer to stock Android, providing a cleaner user experience.
  4. Value for Money: Given its price point, the device offered a decent set of features and performance.

Cons:

  1. Display Resolution: The HD+ resolution was not the sharpest, especially when compared to some competitors offering Full HD displays in a similar price range.
  2. Camera Performance: While decent in well-lit conditions, the camera struggled in low-light scenarios.
  3. Build Quality: The device had a plastic build, which didn’t feel as premium as some competitors with metal or glass backs.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket, the Asus Zenfone Max M2 faced competition from:

  • Redmi 6 Pro: Offering a 5.84-inch IPS LCD display, Snapdragon 625, and a dual-camera setup.
  • Realme 2: Featuring a 6.2-inch IPS LCD display, Snapdragon 450, and a dual-camera setup.
  • Honor 8C: With its 6.26-inch IPS LCD, Snapdragon 632, and a dual-camera setup.

Launch Date:

The Asus Zenfone Max M2 was announced in December 2018 and became available in various markets shortly after.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Software Updates: Some users reported delays in receiving software updates.
  2. Camera Software: There were reports of the camera software being a bit slow or occasionally freezing in certain modes.
  3. Speaker Quality: Some users found the speaker quality to be average, lacking depth and clarity at higher volumes.

Conclusion:

The Asus Zenfone Max M2 was a solid offering in the budget segment, especially for those who prioritize battery life and a stock-like Android experience. Its large battery and decent performance made it a popular choice among users who wanted a reliable daily driver without breaking the bank. While it had its limitations, especially in terms of display resolution and camera performance, its overall package was quite compelling for its price segment. For users looking for a device that can last through long days and handle basic tasks with ease, the Zenfone Max M2 was a strong contender. However, those looking for a sharper display or better camera performance might have considered other options available in the market at the time.