Samsung Galaxy M34: 5 reasons to buy, 3 to skip!

Published: Sunday, July 16, 2023, 11:41 [IST]

Samsung with its Galaxy M34 is here to disrupt the budget segment with a Monster!

Should you pick the Samsung Galaxy M34 as your next phone? Let’s find out!

PROS

Massive BatteryBig and Bright DisplayCamera Colour ReproductionCrisp Calling ExperienceContinual Updates (4security+5security)

CONS

Slow ChargingMono SpeakersChunky Bezels

5 Reasons to Buy Samsung Galaxy M34

Display: Big, Bright and Beautiful

The Samsung Galaxy M34 has got a 6.5″ Full HD+ Super AMOLED display, which in my opinion is one of the best looking displays in the sub 18k segment that Samsung offers. Being the first sAMOLED on the M Series lineup, it is a huge upgrade and the screen running on 120Hz refresh rate does make it stand out from the competition. The vision booster is a great add on and the Gorilla Glass 5 definitely seals the deal for people looking out for a phone who’s doesn’t shatter when they accidentally drop the phone.

Massive Battery: It’s for real a Monster

Samsung Galaxy M series is known for its crazy battery life. The Samsung Galaxy M33 set a high benchmark for all the phones in the same category and the M34 is here to retain the legacy. With its 6000mAh battery, I could ride through a day and a half without needing to dabble with the charging cable. To be precise it took me 8 hours to fully drain the phone and plugged it back in to charge on Day 2’s afternoon.

Cameras: Real to Life Skin Tones

Most of the smartphones in this range struggle to retain the skin tones of human subjects and I feel that Samsung has been the KING when it comes to nailing the skin tones in the daylight scenarios and of course the Samsung M34 is no different! Also, I love the add-on of the ultra-wide lens.

For reference, the M34 has a triple rear camera setup, consisting of a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a 2MP macro sensor. Selfies can be shot using the 13MP front-facing camera.

I think the main sensor is the star of the show. It delivers on real-to-life colors. However, when we shift from the main lens to the wide-angle lens, the color consistency is reduced significantly. But then again, most brands these days are skipping on the wide-angle lens completely, but having it on the M34 is a breath of fresh air.

There are a few areas where it falls short. The sharpness levels of the pictures are average, and in harsh lighting conditions, it can struggle to properly expose the subject. Low-light performance could have been better as well, although the main sensor still manages to capture decent photos in such situations, albeit with some noticeable noise. However, considering the price point of the M34, it still manages to capture fairly good snaps.

Calling Experience with Voice Focus is a Bliss

I’ve had the opportunity to test out a lot of different smartphones over the years. I’ve always been impressed with the audio quality of Samsung devices, and the Voice Focus feature on the M34 is no exception.

I recently used Voice Focus to make a call while I was in a busy coffee shop. The background noise was pretty loud, but Voice Focus did a great job of filtering it out. My caller said that they could hear me clearly, and I didn’t have any trouble understanding them either.

I’m also impressed with how easy it is to use Voice Focus. All you have to do is open the Phone app and tap on the three dots in the top right corner. Then, select “Voice Focus” and a green bar will appear at the top of the screen.

I think Voice Focus is a particularly useful feature for people who work in noisy environments, such as construction sites or busy offices. I’m glad that Samsung has made Voice Focus available on a variety of devices, including the Samsung M34. This means that more people can benefit from this great feature.

Software Experience and Security: Unparalleled

I feel that the software experience of OneUI is highly underrated. Considering there are minimal bugs and promised updates are 4 generations for OS and 5 for security, the Samsung phones are also much more reliable if you plan on investing your money to buy a phone that lasts. The update cycles are far beyond what the competitors can fathom and the updates are delivered timely for the most part. The Samsung M34 packs in the OneUI as well, so there’s no question about the longevity of the device.

3 Reasons to Skip Samsung Galaxy M34

Chunky Bezels and Boring Design

There is no doubt that the display is fabulous on the Galaxy M34 but the notch makes it look dated. The bezels are thick and the chin is a little too big for my liking. Sidenote: It reminds me of the GigaChad meme. Jokes apart, the display is a mixed bag of emotions. While it packs in a great display in terms of brightness and the 120Hz refresh rate, it also plays down the looks with the thick bezels and the big chin.

The Design of Samsung phones have gotten streamlined lately. Phones from S series, A series, F series and M series all look the same from a distance apart. Yes, there is a huge difference in build quality. I feel the glossy back of the M34, while it may look appealing to some, it’s a fingerprint magnet just like the Galaxy F54. I like the texture of the A series and S series better, not because they are pricier and have got a better in-hand feel but due to the simple fact that I don’t need to clean the smudges every time I pick up the phone.

But overall, the display is still a big step up from the LCD screens on previous Galaxy M phones. About the notch and chin? You’ll get used to it! It’s not a deal breaker for me personally.

Mono Speakers

The Galaxy M34 packs in a Mono speaker which is plenty loud, captures the details of the songs like a champ. However, it’s a mono speaker and the functionality is limited. So, while someone calls and you’ve got your phone in the pocket, sometimes it blocks the only speaker present in the phone and the call can be missed. I expected the M34 to pack in a stereo speaker as that would’ve been a great value addition and would’ve improved the overall media consumption experience of the M34 since it also packs in a sweet 6.5″ Full HD+ Super AMOLED display.

Slow Charging Speed

While the competitors are upping their gaming in the charging speeds, the Samsung Galaxy M34 still supports 25W charging and considering it has got a gigantic 6000mAh battery, the phone takes an average of 1hr 35mins to juice up. Although it won’t die on you anytime soon, it will require the added time to go the extra mile.

Now, considering that the M34 is a budget offering, I have a little suggestion. I believe it would be a great idea to include an in-box charger with this phone. Why? Well, here’s the thing: for many people, this might be their very first smartphone. And hey, that’s a big deal! Especially in India, where a significant number of consumers are still making the transition from feature phones to smartphones.

For those individuals who are upgrading from their trusty old devices, which feature micro type-B ports, having an in-box charger would be super helpful. It would eliminate the hassle of finding a compatible charger separately and make the whole transition smoother.

So, while the M34 has a lot going for it, and I genuinely believe it’s a great option, adding an in-box charger would make it even more appealing to those entering the smartphone world for the first time.

Verdict

The Galaxy M34 is a solid phone with a great display, long-lasting battery. Overall, day-to-day performance is buttery smooth and the phone is built to last with its continual security and OS update cycle. However, the mono speaker, slow charging speed and thick bezels are a bit of a letdown. If you can overlook the red flags, the Samsung Galaxy M34 absolutely becomes one of the finest picks under 18k. Especially for the people who are looking for a phone with a fabulous display, excellent calling experience, all-day battery life, best-in-class software experience, sustained security updates and a decent pair of cameras without burning a hole in the pocket.

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