Samsung Galaxy M11: A Detailed First Look
The Samsung Galaxy M11 is a budget series phone with some good features and some that are not as strong. As an upgrade over the M10, it comes with a larger screen, a bigger battery, and an extra camera. Here is a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know about this device.
What’s Inside the Box?
Upon opening the box, you will find the standard documentation. The package includes a 15W charger and a USB Type-C cable. It is important to note that a protective case is not included with the phone.
Design and Build Quality
The model reviewed is a Matte Black color. The phone feels a bit big in hand, which is expected given its large screen. In terms of weight, it comes in at 198 grams, giving it a heavy and solid feel. The back of the phone is made of plastic and features a physical fingerprint sensor.
Ports, Buttons, and Slots
Looking at the layout, the bottom of the phone houses a microphone, a USB Type-C port, and a speaker grille. The right side has the power button, while the volume rocker is located on the upper side. The top of the device features a noise-canceling microphone and a 3.5mm headphone jack. On the left side, you will find the SIM card tray, which is a triple card slot. This means you can use two SIM cards and a dedicated microSD card simultaneously.
Display and Visuals
The Samsung Galaxy M11 is equipped with a 6.5-inch HD+ display. It follows the modern trend with a punch-hole design for the front-facing camera, providing an immersive viewing experience on its large screen.
Performance, Software, and Battery Life
Under the hood, the phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor. While this is a slightly older, entry-level processor, it is functional for its price point. The M11 is available in different variants, including 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB models.
A major highlight is the 5,000mAh battery, which supports 15W fast charging via the USB Type-C port. With moderate use, the battery can comfortably last from one to one-and-a-half days. On the software front, the device runs on One UI 2.0, which is based on Android 10. The user interface is simplistic and refined, making it one of the better UIs available, though it does come with some pre-installed apps.
Security and Sensors
The phone includes a physical fingerprint sensor on the back, which is fast and works reliably every time. Face unlock is also available and functions well. However, it is missing some sensors, most notably a gyroscope.
Connectivity and Multimedia Features
The Galaxy M11 supports 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling, and has a dedicated SIM card slot. It also includes an FM Radio but lacks a notification light. For media consumption, the device has Widevine L1 support for HD streaming and Camera2 API support, allowing you to use Gcam. The SAR values are within the specified limits.
The multimedia experience is a strong point for this phone. The large 6.5-inch screen offers good colors and viewing angles, making it enjoyable for watching videos. The audio is enhanced with Dolby Atmos support, which delivers loud and good-quality sound through both the speaker and earphones.
When it comes to performance, the Snapdragon 450 handles daily tasks and normal apps without any issues. However, you may notice some struggles with heavy gaming. For games like PUBG Mobile, you will need to play on low settings and may still experience some frame drops. The overall performance is okay for regular use but not for heavy tasks.
Camera Performance: How Does It Hold Up?
The M11 features a triple camera setup on the back, consisting of a 13-megapixel primary sensor, a 5-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. For selfies, there is an 8-megapixel camera housed in the punch-hole.
Photos taken with the selfie camera show good skin tones. The primary rear sensor captures decent photos with okay colors. However, images from the ultra-wide lens can appear a bit soft. The camera app itself is very good and feature-rich, including extras like AR emojis.
Final Verdict: Our First Impressions
For its price, the Samsung Galaxy M11 offers a really good screen and an excellent 5,000mAh battery with 15W fast charging and USB Type-C. The multimedia experience is also a significant plus. However, the performance could have been better, as other phones in this price range offer superior processors. The camera performance is decent for its segment.
