Samsung’s all-new, online-only M Series is aimed at a whole new generation of Indian consumers who buy all their gadgets online and keep an eye out for flash sales. The Galaxy M40 is the fourth and priciest device in the M Series that was conceptualised in India.
There are two things that impressed us straight up. First, the form factor – it’s surprisingly light (168 gms and just 7.9 mm thick) for a device that features a 6.3-inch display. The display is the other thing that you will notice instantly. It borrows from the immersive screen that we loved in the S10 series of Samsung flagships. It’s all-screen except for a tiny cut out that houses the selfie camera. Samsung calls it the Infinity O display, it’s great for video consumption. The Full HD+ display (1080 x 2340 pixels / 19.5:9 aspect ratio) packs an impressive 409 Pixels per inch (PPI). The display and the form factor set it apart in this price band.
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The Galaxy M40 is kitted with a triple rear cam and a solid 16MP selfie shooter. It’s quite a versatile package with a 32MP (f/1.7 aperture) primary lens. We were pleased to see an 8MP ultra-wide lens; a 5MP depth camera completes the triple cam set up. Daylight images were quite sharp; we were also impressed with the Live Focus Mode that allows you to blur backgrounds and shoot bokeh style images. Video options include slow-mo, hyper-lapse, super slow-mo and 4K videos. Images in lowlight were average. Comparisons with the Redmi Note 7 Pro are inevitable given the similar price tag. The 48MP primary lens gives the Note 7 Pro an edge but the M40 scores with its versatility.
Both devices are powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 processor. The M40 managed an AnTuTu benchmark score of 173217 that was just a tad lower than the Note 7 Pro. The M40 features 6GB of RAM and 128GB of Internal memory (extendable up to 512 GB). The 3500 mAh battery should work for most power users while the fast charging capability of the 15W USB type C charger is quite handy. The 4000 mAh battery of the Note 7 Pro is certainly more robust but also adds to the heft of the device. The battle between these two devices is expected to play out over the next few weeks; it’s one that will probably boil down to personal preferences. We’ve said this before, Samsung’s new One UI has changed the dynamics for the brand. That’s one reason we believe the M40 with its elegant form and immersive display is likely to find quite a few takers.
The Samsung Galaxy M40 costs Rs 19,990 and comes in a choice of two colours – Midnight Blue and Seawater Blue.
(Ashwin Rajagopalan writes extensively on Gadgets & Trends, Travel & Lifestyle and Food & Drink. He owns and manages Brand Stories, a creative Content outfit and www.bytesize.in, a premier lifestyle blog with a focus on short-format content. Instagram: ‘ashwinpowers’)