Samsung Galaxy A31: Unboxing and First Impressions
Welcome to a detailed unboxing and our first impressions of the new Samsung A31. This mid-range smartphone is primarily aimed at the offline market, making it a great option for those who prefer not to buy online. Let’s dive in and see what this device has to offer.
What’s Inside the Box?
Upon opening the box, you are greeted with the phone itself. Along with the device, Samsung has included a 15W charger, a USB Type-C cable, and a SIM card tool. A welcome addition that is becoming rare in smartphone boxes is a pair of earphones. You will also find the necessary documentation and a good quality protective case.
Design, Build, and In-Hand Feel
The Samsung A31 comes in a nice, shiny blue color that Samsung calls “Premium Prism Crush Blue,” which has a dual-tone effect with different colors visible at various angles. The included case is of good quality and provides excellent protection, with raised edges to shield the display if the phone falls flat.
In terms of ergonomics, the phone feels ideal in the hand—not too big, not too small. It also strikes a good balance in weight, neither feeling too heavy nor too light. It weighs around 185 grams, which is a standard weight for most phones in this category today.
A Tour of the Ports, Buttons, and SIM Tray
Looking around the device, the bottom edge houses a speaker grill, a microphone, a USB Type-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The right side features the volume rockers and the power button, while the top has a noise-canceling microphone.
On the left side, you’ll find the SIM card tray. Interestingly, it features a unique design that accommodates a dedicated SD card slot, making it a triple-slot tray without the extra length you might expect.
Display Quality
The Samsung A31 is equipped with a 6.4-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED screen. As expected from a Samsung AMOLED panel, the colors are very punchy and vibrant. The bezels on the top and sides are quite thin, while the chin is of an average size. The phone features an Infinity-U display design, contributing to a high screen-to-body ratio of over 90%, which makes for a very immersive viewing experience.
Performance and Specifications
Under the hood, the Galaxy A31 is powered by the Helio P65 processor. It is available in a single variant with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The device is backed by a large 5,000 mAh battery that supports 15W fast charging.
For day-to-day tasks, the phone performs without any issues. However, you might notice some occasional stutters when running heavy applications. In terms of gaming, you can comfortably play titles like PUBG Mobile on low to medium settings. The performance is okay for a mid-range phone but not exceptional.
Software, Security, and Key Features
The A31 runs on Samsung’s One UI 2.1, which provides a streamlined and smooth user experience. The software includes some interesting features like Samsung Health for activity tracking and a Focus Mode to help you concentrate by temporarily disabling distractions.
For security, the phone features an in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock, both of which work decently well. Samsung has also included its Knox security platform, which adds an extra layer of protection for your data.
Multimedia Experience
The audio experience on the Galaxy A31 is enhanced by Dolby Atmos support, resulting in loud and good-quality sound that is definitely above average. Paired with the excellent AMOLED display, the video viewing experience is impressive and immersive, making it a great device for multimedia consumption.
Other notable features include 4G VoLTE, FM Radio, and Widevine L1 support for HD streaming. The phone also comes with NFC, enabling touch payments through services like Samsung Pay. The SAR value is well within the prescribed limits. However, the device does not have a notification light.
A Versatile Quad-Camera Setup
The camera is often a highlight of Samsung phones, and the A31 is no different. It boasts a quad-camera setup on the back, featuring a 48MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP depth sensor, and a 5MP macro sensor. For selfies, there is a 20MP camera housed in the Infinity-U notch.
The One UI camera app is feature-rich. Based on initial impressions, the photos taken with the A31 have colors that really pop. The camera software also includes a “Scene Optimizer” feature, which uses AI to automatically detect subjects like food, nature, or faces and adjusts the settings accordingly to help you capture the best possible shot.
Final Verdict: Our First Impressions
While the final price is yet to be confirmed, the Samsung Galaxy A31 stands out as a solid offering for the offline market. The three main highlights of this phone are undoubtedly its stunning AMOLED display, the massive 5,000 mAh battery, and its versatile camera system. The only area where it leaves something to be desired is in raw performance, which could have been slightly better.
