The Samsung Galaxy M13 5G is a capable and future-proof device for budget-conscious buyers. Although it may not possess the same level of power as the renowned Galaxy M-series devices from the company, it still delivers a strong performance. Notably, the Galaxy M13 5G boasts a commendable screen, satisfactory battery life, and reliable overall functionality. Consequently, this smartphone provides a decent option without straining your finances. In fact, the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G is the most affordable 5G smartphone offered by the company thus far. However, should one consider purchasing it solely based on its specifications? Or is there more to the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G smartphone than meets the eye? We shall uncover the answer in this comprehensive review.

Design

Let’s take a closer examination of the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G construction. Interestingly, this phone does not have an expansive camera component or an all-glass back. Rather, it is cloaked in a matte-finished plastic unibody that is not affected by smudges. Holding the phone in your hand reveals it to have a firm consistency and the curved edges make it comfortable to grasp. Now, let’s investigate the camera setup of the Galaxy M13 5G. The dual-rear lenses are integrated fluidly into the frame, so when it is placed on a level surface, the phone won’t rock too much. In addition, the power button also works as a fingerprint detector, which is a great plus. On the right, you will find the switches and the volume regulator. At the bottom, you will find the USB Type-C port sandwiched between the 3.5mm headphone jack and the speaker grille. To enhance audio excellence, two microphones are also provided on the device. Additionally, there is a dedicated space for a microSD card, enabling expandable memory choices.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy M13 5G boasts an impressive display. It features a sizable 6.5-inch Infinity-V IPS LCD screen with HD+ resolution (720×1,440p), a variable refresh rate of 90Hz, and a small notch to house the selfie camera. The display is also equipped with 400 nits of brightness and protected by a sturdy Corning Gorilla Glass 3 shield. Even when using the device outdoors in direct sunlight, I encountered no difficulty. One notable aspect of the handset is its consistent 90Hz screen refresh rate, which remains smooth and seamless across the user interface and various applications, including games, social media platforms, and messaging services. However, it’s worth mentioning that the refresh rate is not constantly fixed at 90Hz. Instead, the display intelligently adjusts the refresh rate based on the content being displayed, dropping it down to 60Hz when necessary to preserve battery life. Although the dynamic range and contrast ratio of the display may not match the standards set by AMOLED screens, it still delivers satisfactory picture quality with wide viewing angles. The only minor drawback is the slightly chunky bezels. Nevertheless, given the affordable price of the handset, I won’t deduct any points for this aspect. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the handset has obtained Widevine L1 certification, enabling it to stream high-definition content from over-the-top (OTT) services like Netflix.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy M13 5G is fueled by a powerful 2.2Ghz octa-core MediaTekDimensity 700 chipset. This processor, which falls within the mid-range category, rarely experiences any slowdowns during my usage. The speed at which apps load is also impressive, and the device can effortlessly handle multiple apps at once. Additionally, the phone performs well when it comes to running graphically-demanding games. I had the opportunity to play BGMI (before it was removed from the Play Store) on this device, and it ran smoothly with the graphics set to ‘Balanced’. However, when the visual settings were set higher, such as HD graphics and a high frame rate, the phone struggled a bit. This resulted in jitters and noticeable lags during gameplay. The Samsung Galaxy M13 5G operates on Android 12-based One UI 4.1 straight out of the box. Furthermore, the RAM capacity can be expanded up to 6GB using the innovative RAM Plus solution. This feature utilizes a portion of the phone’s internal storage to keep more apps running in the background, thereby enhancing multitasking capabilities. In regard to storage, the handset is available in two options: 64GB or 128 GB. If needed, the storage can be expanded up to 1TB by inserting a microSD card.

Camera

When it comes to the optics, the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G features a dual camera setup on the back that consists of a 50MP (f/1.8) primary sensor and a 2MP (f/2.4) depth sensor. This combination does a commendable job of capturing intricate details without significantly altering the color tones under favourable lighting conditions. However, the dynamic range appears to be insufficient in certain situations. Moreover, the portrait mode, which relies on the 2MP depth sensor, yields below-average outcomes. Specifically, the sensor’s ability to accurately detect edges seems slightly flawed. On a positive note, users have the option to manually adjust the bokeh effect on the phone, and this feature generally performs well. The low light performance of the smartphone is also comparable to other affordable options in its category. In this regard, the device swiftly focuses on the subject, although the resulting images may appear somewhat grainy. Furthermore, while the night mode reduces noise to some extent, it tends to compromise the fine details of subjects within the frame. In terms of selfies, the 5MP camera delivers satisfactory results with notable facial detailing and an accurate depiction of skin tones when captured in sunlight.

Battery

When it comes to the battery performance, the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G excels. With its impressive 5,000mAh battery capacity, this device can easily sustain a whole day of regular usage. Throughout my experience, I consistently achieved an impressive screen-on-time of 10-12 hours. This usage included activities such as streaming TV shows and movies, browsing social media applications, managing emails, and even enjoying a few rounds of the popular game BGMI. However, I must mention that the charging speed of this phone is relatively slower than other smartphones of the same brand such as Galaxy M34. Though it may not be the quickest charging speed available, the phone’s remarkable battery life compensates for this minor drawback.

Price

The Samsung Galaxy M13 5G can be acquired at the price of 13,999 for the model which has 4GB RAM and 64GB of space, while the one with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage is priced at 15,999. Launched on July 14, 2022, the device is up for grabs with options of Midnight Blue, Aqua Green, and Stardust Brown colour hues from a variety of sources including Amazon, the company’s website, and several retailers.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy M13 5G arrives with a 5G processor and boasts a decent battery life. Additionally, it features a display with a refreshing rate of 90Hz, but regrettably, it only offers HD+ resolution. The camera setup is below average, and the design language feels outdated. It’s puzzling to the buyers that the company would simply prioritize 5G connectivity while neglecting other crucial features. There are numerous alternative smartphones of the same brand available in the market that provide superior capabilities and come at a reasonably lower price. Samsung’s intentions are quite clear here. With 5G services just around the corner, the company aims to offer a 5G-ready device to budget-conscious buyers. And they succeed. Priced at Rs 13,999, the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G is one of the most affordable 5G smartphones in India. It would have been better had the phone been installed with an FHD+ screen and an ultra-wide sensor, which have become quite common in this segment. However, if you are in the market for a budget-friendly 5G device, the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G will undoubtedly catch your attention.