Samsung Galaxy M40 Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

Welcome to my review of the Samsung Galaxy M40, a mid-range smartphone that was released in June of 2019. The Galaxy M40 has been on the market for a few years now, but it still remains a popular choice among users due to its impressive specs and affordable price point.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy M40 boasts a sleek and modern design that exudes a premium look and feel. With its slim form factor and compact dimensions of 155.3 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm, it offers excellent portability and one-handed usability. The device features a glass front with Gorilla Glass 3 for added durability, while the back panel and frame are made of plastic. Although the materials used may not be as premium as glass or metal, they contribute to the device's lightweight construction, weighing just 168 g. The M40's aesthetics are enhanced by its bezel-less display, offering an impressive screen-to-body ratio of approximately 84.9%. The PLS LCD display measures 6.3 inches and delivers vibrant colors and sharp visuals with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The finishing touches on the device, such as the placement of buttons and controls, are well thought out and offer a seamless user experience. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy M40 strikes a balance between robustness and elegance, making it an attractive option for those seeking a stylish and ergonomic smartphone.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy M40 features a 6.3-inch PLS LCD display, offering a good screen size for immersive viewing experiences. With a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 409 ppi, the display delivers sharp and detailed visuals. The aspect ratio of 19.5:9 ensures a more elongated screen, making it ideal for multimedia consumption and multitasking.

In terms of display technology, the Galaxy M40 uses PLS LCD, which provides vibrant colors and good color accuracy. While it may not offer the deep blacks and infinite contrast ratios of OLED technology, the LCD panel still offers a pleasing visual experience.

The display also comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, which adds durability and resistance against scratches. This is particularly useful for users who want to keep their device's screen in good condition.

The brightness levels of the display are decent, allowing for comfortable outdoor visibility. It also supports adaptive brightness, which automatically adjusts the screen brightness based on ambient lighting conditions, ensuring optimal viewing in different environments.

The Galaxy M40 does not have a notch design, offering a more traditional and uninterrupted display experience. The bezels around the screen are slim, contributing to a higher screen-to-body ratio and a more immersive feel.

Overall, the display of the Samsung Galaxy M40 offers a good balance of size, resolution, and color accuracy. It provides an enjoyable viewing experience for multimedia content, web browsing, and other tasks.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy M40 boasts impressive performance thanks to its Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 chipset. This octa-core processor, consisting of two Kryo 460 Gold cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and six Kryo 460 Silver cores clocked at 1.7 GHz, ensures smooth multitasking and app loading speeds. The CPU benchmarks and processor performance of the Galaxy M40 are quite commendable, delivering a lag-free and seamless user experience.

In terms of GPU benchmarks and gaming performance, the Adreno 612 GPU on the Galaxy M40 performs admirably. It provides excellent graphics scores and allows for a satisfying gaming experience. The device is capable of running demanding games smoothly, and its gaming capabilities are further enhanced by the phone's system optimization and thermal management.

The Galaxy M40's performance is also reflected in its benchmark tests, where it achieves competitive benchmark scores. The device performs well in synthetic benchmarks, showcasing its processor and GPU efficiency. Whether it's running CPU-intensive tasks or handling graphics-intensive applications, the Galaxy M40 excels at delivering reliable performance.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy M40 offers a powerful performance that meets the demands of modern-day smartphone users. Its chipset performance, coupled with efficient thermal management and system optimization, ensures a smooth and lag-free user experience. The device's multitasking capabilities, gaming performance, and app loading speeds are all praiseworthy. If you're looking for a smartphone that delivers strong performance across various tasks, the Galaxy M40 is definitely worth considering.

Software and User Interface

The Samsung Galaxy M40 runs on the Android operating system, specifically Android 9.0 (Pie), which can be upgraded to Android 11 with the One UI 3.1 interface. This ensures that users have access to the latest features and improvements. The One UI interface provides a user-friendly experience with its intuitive design and easy navigation. It offers a smooth and responsive performance, allowing users to navigate through apps and menus effortlessly.

In terms of customization, the Samsung Galaxy M40 provides a range of options to personalize the device according to individual preferences. Users can customize the home screen layout, app icons, and choose from a variety of themes to suit their style. The device also supports different wallpapers and widgets, allowing users to create a personalized and unique look.

The Samsung Galaxy M40 comes with a selection of pre-installed apps, including essential ones like phone, messages, and calculator. Additionally, it offers a range of useful apps such as Samsung Health, Samsung Pay, and Samsung Notes, which provide convenience and enhance productivity. While these pre-installed apps add value to the device, some users may consider them as bloatware if they do not find them necessary.

Overall, the software of the Samsung Galaxy M40 offers a user-friendly interface and a range of customization options. The Android operating system ensures a smooth and responsive performance, while the One UI interface enhances the user experience. The device also comes with a selection of pre-installed apps that cater to different needs.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy M40 comes equipped with a triple camera setup, featuring a 32-megapixel primary camera with an aperture of f/1.7 and a focal length of 26mm. This camera is capable of capturing detailed and sharp images with good dynamic range and natural colors. It performs well in daylight photography, delivering impressive image quality with accurate colors and plenty of details. The 8-megapixel ultrawide camera with a 12mm focal length allows users to capture a wider field of view, making it great for outdoor photography and capturing landscapes. The 5-megapixel depth sensor helps in creating portraits with good background separation and bokeh effect.

In terms of low-light performance, the Samsung Galaxy M40's camera performs decently thanks to its large aperture and pixel size. It also offers a night mode that enhances low-light sensitivity and reduces noise, producing better results in challenging lighting conditions. The camera app offers various features such as HDR, panorama mode, and pro mode, allowing users to have more control over their photography.

When it comes to video recording, the Galaxy M40 supports 4K video capture, delivering sharp and detailed footage. The device also offers video stabilization, ensuring smoother videos even when capturing handheld. Slow-motion video and time-lapse features are also available, adding creativity to your videos. Overall, the camera capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy M40 make it a reliable choice for capturing moments with good image quality and versatile video recording options.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy M40 is equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 3500 mAh battery. While this may not be the largest battery capacity on the market, it offers a decent battery life for everyday use. The device supports 15W wired charging, allowing for relatively fast charging times. However, it does not support wireless charging options.

In terms of battery performance, the Galaxy M40 offers a good balance between power efficiency and optimization features. Users can expect a satisfactory screen-on time and standby time, depending on their usage patterns. The device also comes with battery optimization features that help manage battery usage and reduce unnecessary drain.

Overall, the battery of the Samsung Galaxy M40 provides a reliable backup, and the charging speed and efficiency are acceptable. While it may not be the most impressive in terms of battery capacity or longevity, it offers a decent battery endurance for day-to-day use.

Connectivity and Networking

The Samsung Galaxy M40 offers a range of connectivity options to ensure a seamless user experience. With support for 4G LTE, users can enjoy fast data speeds and smooth browsing on the go. The device also supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to manage two phone numbers simultaneously. In terms of wireless connectivity, the Galaxy M40 supports Wi-Fi 802.11 standards, ensuring a stable and reliable connection to Wi-Fi networks. The inclusion of Bluetooth 5.0 enables users to connect to various devices such as headphones, speakers, and smartwatches, with improved range and faster data transfer speeds. Additionally, the Galaxy M40 features NFC technology, enabling easy and secure mobile payments. For charging and data transfer, the device comes equipped with a USB Type-C port, which provides faster charging and data transfer speeds compared to traditional micro USB ports. The Galaxy M40 also supports GPS and GLONASS for accurate navigation and positioning. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy M40 offers a comprehensive range of connectivity options, ensuring that users stay connected and enjoy a seamless mobile experience.

Additional Features

• Standout Features: The Samsung Galaxy M40 offers several standout features that make it a compelling choice. With its sleek design and a large 6.3-inch display, it provides an immersive viewing experience. The triple camera setup on the rear, including a 32MP primary sensor, ensures high-quality photography. Additionally, the phone supports 4K video recording and has a 16MP front camera for capturing stunning selfies.


• Water and Dust Resistance: The Galaxy M40 does not have an official IP rating for water and dust resistance. It is advisable to keep the device away from water and dust to maintain its performance and longevity.


• Advanced Sensors: The phone is equipped with a range of sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. These sensors enhance the user experience by enabling features such as screen rotation, facial recognition, and accurate location tracking.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

The Samsung Galaxy M40 is a mid-range smartphone that offers a range of features at an affordable price point. When compared to other smartphones in the market, it competes with devices like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro and the Realme 3 Pro.

In terms of specifications, the Galaxy M40 stands out with its 6.3-inch PLS LCD display, which provides vibrant colors and good viewing angles. It also comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 chipset, which ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming. The device offers 4GB or 6GB of RAM, depending on the variant, and comes with 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot.

One of the standout features of the Galaxy M40 is its triple camera setup, which includes a 32MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 5MP depth sensor. This setup allows for versatile photography options, capturing detailed shots and wide-angle landscapes. The device also boasts a 16MP front-facing camera for high-quality selfies.

In terms of connectivity, the Galaxy M40 supports dual SIM cards, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and USB Type-C. It also features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor for added security.

When compared to its competitors, the Galaxy M40 offers a similar set of features but at a slightly higher price point. However, it is worth noting that Samsung has a strong reputation for quality and reliability, which may make it a preferred choice for some consumers.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy M40 is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers a good balance of features and performance. While it may face tough competition from devices like the Redmi Note 7 Pro and Realme 3 Pro, its brand reputation and unique features make it a viable option for those looking for a value-for-money device in the mid-range segment.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy M40 offers a compelling package at an affordable price point. With its sleek design, vibrant display, and powerful camera setup, it certainly stands out in the mid-range segment. The device also boasts a reliable performance thanks to its Snapdragon 675 chipset and ample RAM. However, the absence of a dedicated headphone jack might be a drawback for some users. Additionally, the battery life could have been better, considering its 3500mAh capacity. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy M40 is a solid choice for those seeking a budget-friendly smartphone with impressive features. Potential buyers looking for a reliable device without breaking the bank should definitely consider this option.