Samsung has been a mid-range king and we all know that for a long time. They have been offering devices with great battery life and affordability. Earlier this year they launched the Galaxy M15 as a mid-ranger. Now they are getting ready to launch the successor, Galaxy M16 5G and exclusive renders reveal the device’s design. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming Galaxy M16 5G including the new design and features.
A New Design Language for M Series
It seems Samsung is focussing on the design of their budget devices in 2024. While the Galaxy M15 had a functional design, it lacked the modern look of the premium devices. The Galaxy M16 5G takes a big leap forward with sharper, flat borders and new frame design.
The flat sides eliminate the slight curvature of the Galaxy M15 and brings the Galaxy M16 closer to the look of Samsung’s flagships and mid-rangers. This is in line with the company’s efforts to modernise their budget devices.
Camera Module: A New Look
Unlike recent Samsung phones that have a minimalist rear camera design with individual sensors, the Galaxy M16 5G has a camera “island” to house its triple rear sensors. This vertical design adds a new element and might be a new direction for Samsung’s budget devices.
Whether this is a permanent change in Samsung’s design language only time will tell. But one thing is for sure, the Galaxy M16 5G is moving away from the subtle design of the Galaxy M15.
Button and Fingerprint Reader
The Galaxy M16 5G keeps it simple with button placement. The SIM card slot is on the left and power and volume buttons on the right. The power button is also a side-mounted fingerprint reader although the phone is expected to have an AMOLED display.
Some might question this decision but side-mounted fingerprint readers are known for their accuracy and reliability so it’s a practical choice for a budget device.
Display and Bezels: Same Old
One area where Samsung hasn’t changed is the display design. The Galaxy M16 5G has a noticeable bottom bezel or “chin” and the other bezels are slightly thinner but not impressive. The phone also has the Infinity-U notch for the front camera, a design element that’s been phased out in some of Samsung’s other devices like the Galaxy A16.
These design choices suggest that while the Galaxy M16 5G is modern in some aspects, it’s still a budget device in others.
Hardware and Performance
The Galaxy M16 5G will run on the Dimensity 6300 chipset, the same processor as the Galaxy A16. This is good enough for daily use but not a powerhouse.
The phone has been spotted with 8GB of RAM on Geekbench, but Samsung will likely offer more variants to cater to different users.
Software: A Missed Opportunity?
One of the biggest letdowns of the Galaxy M16 5G is the software. It’s 2024 and the phone will come with Android 14. That might feel outdated for some. But Samsung’s software update record will help bridge that gap over time.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy M16 5G is a design upgrade for the Galaxy M series with sharper looks and a new camera module. But the modest hardware, same old display design and outdated software might disappoint some.
For those looking for an affordable mid-ranger with modern design, the Galaxy M16 5G might be a good option. We’ll see how Samsung prices it and how it fares in the crowded mid-range segment.
Source & Images: Android Authority
