Reassessing the Upgrade: Is the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G a Game-Changer in the M-Series?

Samsung’s Galaxy M53 5G now occupies the premier position in the M series, which has expanded to include a diverse price range. This latest smartphone showcases appealing specifications like a 120Hz Super AMOLED display, a MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor equipped with vapor cooling, and a 108-megapixel main camera. My initial thoughts on this device were favorable, and now it’s time to evaluate how it measures up against its rivals. Will it prove to be a worthy successor to the Galaxy M52 5G, and should it be your top pick for under Rs. 30,000? Let’s investigate.

Price of Samsung Galaxy M53 5G in India

The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G is priced at Rs. 26,499 in India for the model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The upgraded version, featuring 8GB of RAM with the same storage capacity, comes at Rs. 28,499. Aside from the Mystique Green variant I own, the Galaxy M53 5G is also available in Deep Ocean Blue.

Design of Samsung Galaxy M53 5G

The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G is primarily constructed from plastic, providing a robust but somewhat less premium feel. In my initial impressions, I appreciated the Mystique Green finish of my device, which still stands out in a crowded market. However, upon using it for a week, I noticed it accumulates smudges relatively easily, although they aren’t prominently visible. Given that this is the priciest M-series model, Samsung could have included a case in the box.

On the topic of missing accessories, Samsung also does not include a charger; you’re only provided with a USB Type-C to Type-C cable. If you own a USB Type-C charger, you can utilize it for the Galaxy M53 5G. For fast charging, a compatible 25W charger is necessary, with Samsung’s official version priced around Rs. 1,200.

The Mystique Green color is striking

 

The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is conveniently positioned, though the volume buttons are less accessible. The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G is a large phone, which can pose challenges for one-handed use. It features a sizable 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display, similar to the Galaxy M52 5G, complete with a discreet hole for the selfie camera. I found that the camera cutout did not distract me while using the device. Weighing in at 176g, the Galaxy M53 5G felt manageable in hand.

Specifications and Software of Samsung Galaxy M53 5G

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 900 chip, the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G includes a vapor cooling chamber to help manage temperatures. It supports dual-SIM functionality with compatibility for 12 5G bands and includes 4G VoLTE. Samsung boasts about an auto-data-switching feature that intelligently toggles between SIMs to maintain an active data connection.

With a hybrid dual-SIM tray, expanding storage means sacrificing one SIM slot. I believe Samsung could have provided a more premium variant with increased storage. Additionally, a portion of the storage can be utilized as extra RAM through the RAM Plus feature, allowing my 6GB model to allocate up to 6GB of storage as RAM. This is useful for multitaskers, but you can reduce it to 2GB to free up storage space.

The side-mounted fingerprint scanner quickly unlocks the Galaxy M53 5G

 

The Super AMOLED Plus display of the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G offers a full-HD+ resolution with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. Very few other smartphones in this price range, like the Xiaomi Mi 11i HyperCharge 5G (Review), Mi 11i, and the Realme GT Master Edition (Review), also provide high-refresh-rate AMOLED panels. The Galaxy M53 5G’s screen refresh rate was set to 120Hz by default, with options for both Vivid and Natural color modes in the display settings, allowing for adjustment of the color temperature.

On the software front, you get Android 12 with Samsung’s OneUI 4.1 layered on top. Samsung promises two years of Android OS updates and four years of security updates for the Galaxy M53 5G, ensuring it remains functional for an extended period. OneUI is user-friendly but comes with some third-party bloatware that can largely be uninstalled. Additionally, the Galaxy M53 5G facilitates the copying and transferring of text and images across Samsung devices, paralleling Apple’s Continuity features, provided you’re logged into the same Samsung account on all devices. Lastly, the Galaxy M53 5G has several experimental features, such as multi-window support for running multiple apps in adjustable pop-up windows.

Performance and Battery Life of Samsung Galaxy M53 5G

The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G offers solid performance for casual usage. Its crisp Super AMOLED display provides good viewing angles and offers customization options for the color profile. There’s Dolby Atmos support for the single speaker, but stereo speakers would enhance the overall experience.

Throughout my routine use, the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G handled tasks smoothly without any issues. Apps and games launched promptly, and multitasking was effortless. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner was reliable, usually unlocking the phone on the first try. The 120Hz refresh rate contributed to an exceptionally fluid UI experience.

The Galaxy M53 5G features a 108-megapixel main rear camera

 

Gaming on the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G yielded excellent performance. It handled Asphalt 9: Legends smoothly at 60Hz, with no noticeable stutter. After approximately 15 minutes of play, the battery level decreased by three percent, which is reasonable. The device also remained cool to the touch.

In synthetic benchmarks, the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G achieved a score of 424,426 points in AnTuTu and scored 731 and 2,264 respectively in Geekbench 5’s single-core and multi-core tests. These results fall short compared to the Realme GT Master Edition and the Xiaomi Mi 11i HyperCharge 5G, which have lower starting prices but slightly superior processors.

The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G provided commendable battery performance. The 5,000mAh battery comfortably lasted more than a day based on my usage patterns. During our HD video loop test, the phone operated for 18 hours and 24 minutes. As there is no charger provided in the package, I used the USB Type-C charger from a MacBook Air (2020) (Review), and although the Galaxy M53 5G displayed ‘Fast Charging’, it’s unclear if it charged at the full 25W speed. In half an hour, I was able to charge the phone to 31 percent and 58 percent in one hour.

Cameras on Samsung Galaxy M53 5G

The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G is equipped with a quad-camera system at the rear, featuring a 108-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The Xiaomi Mi 11i HyperCharge 5G, a direct rival to the Galaxy M53 5G, has a comparable camera configuration.

Camera samples from the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G; shots taken with the primary and ultra-wide cameras (tap to view full size)

 

Focusing on subjects was swift with the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G, and it accurately managed exposure settings. The close-up shots were executed well, although patience was required when using Portrait mode, as it notifies you when ready after a brief wait. Daytime shots were solid and detailed. The ultra-wide lens kept a similar color tone as the main camera, which was a benefit, but the captured images were less detailed. Ultra-wide shots exhibited minimal barrel distortion at the edges.

Portrait shot from the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G (tap to view full-size)

Low-light and Night mode photo samples from the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G (tap to view full size)

 

The macro camera was capable of taking sufficient pictures, enabling very close shots. Its low-light performance was decent, though nearby objects in landscape photos could be distinguished, but lacked detail in dark areas of the frame. The night mode did enhance this somewhat but required 3-4 seconds for a shot to be taken. Night mode results were inconsistent; some pictures turned out soft.

Selfie portrait examples taken with the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G (tap to view full size)

 

The 32-megapixel front-facing camera produces pixel-binned 8-megapixel images by default. Selfies taken in daylight appeared excellent, with realistic colors, and the Portrait mode provided reliable edge detection. However, low-light performance was comparatively average.

Video recording can reach 4K at 30fps, with the phone relying on electronic stabilization (EIS) for smoother footage. Colors appeared vibrant in bright conditions, but the video often lacked stability and was jittery in low-light situations. The camera app features a SuperSteady mode utilizing the ultra-wide lens for better stabilization, although this significantly crops the frame and caps the resolution at 1080p.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy M53 5G represents a modest upgrade from the Galaxy M52 5G. It presents a premium look and boasts capable components. A major asset of the Galaxy M53 5G is its assurance of Android OS and security updates, which should prolong its relevance compared to some direct contenders. In my view, the 6GB RAM variant offers better value than the 8GB version. Additionally, I believe Samsung should have included a 25W charger, considering the device’s price point.

If you’re still uncertain about the Galaxy M53 5G, it’s worth considering other competitors in this price bracket. The Xiaomi Mi 11i HyperCharge 5G (Review) is a compelling alternative, equipped with not just a 120Hz AMOLED display and a 108-megapixel camera, but also the more robust Dimensity 920 SoC along with a significantly faster 120W charger included in the package. For those seeking excellent smartphone cameras, options like the Realme 9 Pro+ (Review) should be considered. For budget-conscious buyers, both the Mi 11i and the Realme GT Master Edition make good substitutes for the Galaxy M53 5G.