Samsung Galaxy M20

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:

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

Pros:

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

Cons:

Performance: The Exynos 7904 was decent for daily tasks but lagged behind competitors in terms of gaming and heavy multitasking.
Camera Performance: While versatile with its ultrawide lens, the camera setup was average in low-light conditions.
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:

Software Optimization: Some users reported occasional stutters or lags, especially when running multiple apps or heavy games.
Camera Processing: The camera software sometimes produced inconsistent results, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
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.