Samsung Galaxy M51 Long-Term Review: A Stellar Mid-Range Contender Under 40K

Over the past few months, the Samsung Galaxy M51 has served as my secondary device, and I am ready to share my detailed long-term impressions. This phone represents a notable shift in Samsung's mid-range strategy, moving away from the Exynos 9611 chipset used in previous models to the more capable Snapdragon 730G. The result is a device that excels in several areas, making it a strong contender under the NPR 40,000 mark in Nepal.

Design and Build The Galaxy M51 sports a familiar Samsung design language, resembling an amplified version of the Galaxy M31. The plastic back and frames raise durability concerns, and the rear panel is prone to scratches, making a protective case almost essential. While the aesthetics are straightforward, it lacks the visual flair seen in some competitors from Oppo or Vivo.

Display The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus screen is a highlight, offering vivid colors and deep blacks with a centered punch-hole cutout. However, the 60Hz refresh rate feels dated when compared to rivals like the OnePlus Nord, which boasts a 90Hz panel. Despite this, the display's contrast, touch sensitivity, and Samsung's superior dark mode implementation make it a pleasure to use.

Battery Life The standout feature is the massive 7000mAh battery, which easily lasted nearly two days on a single charge with typical usage, including calls, emails, videos, gaming, and social media. While the 25W fast charging is decent, the large battery means a full charge takes around 1 hour and 55 minutes, so plan accordingly if you forget to plug it in overnight.

Performance The Snapdragon 730G chipset, paired with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and multitasking. Gaming is generally enjoyable, with PUBG Mobile running well in Smooth graphics mode and Call of Duty performing excellently. Temperatures remain manageable even during extended gaming sessions, and battery drain is minimal.

Software The phone runs One UI 3.1 Core based on Android 11 with the March 2021 security patch. Samsung has optimized the software well, resulting in a responsive and efficient user experience.

Audio The single front-firing speaker provides average loudness and quality, lacking depth despite decent volume levels and no distortion at maximum output. Given the phone's other strengths, better audio would elevate it further as a multimedia device.

Cameras The quad-camera setup includes a 64MP primary lens, a 12MP ultra-wide angle, and two 5MP sensors for depth and macro photography, complemented by a 32MP selfie camera. Photo quality is strong, with vibrant colors, good detail, and effective HDR. The ultra-wide lens offers a wider field of view compared to some rivals, though differences in color tone and saturation exist. Video recording is stable at up to 4K 30fps with Gyro EIS, although exposure handling trails slightly behind some competitors.

Verdict The Samsung Galaxy M51 remains a compelling option in the mid-range segment under NPR 40,000, thanks to its impressive battery life, excellent display, and capable camera system. However, those prioritizing aesthetics or a smoother 90Hz display might consider alternatives like the Galaxy A52. With the upcoming Galaxy M62 featuring a more powerful Exynos 9825 chipset, Samsung continues to push the boundaries in this segment, though the M51's current pricing as low as NPR 38,000 makes it an attractive deal.