Introduction
Samsung’s midrange M-series was upgraded earlier this year and we got our hands on the Galaxy M53 after covering its A-series counterpart a few months ago. We did say ‘upgrade’ in the previous sentence, but is that true? Let’s go through the specs to see where it stands on paper.
For starters, the cameras are a ‘neither here nor there’ situation – the main one has been given a larger sensor with a higher resolution, but that comes at the cost of the ultra-wide and macro units which have both been downgraded.
Then there’s the chipset – there’s nothing wrong with the 5G-capable Dimensity 900 we have here, but the predecessor’s Snapdragon 778 is a more powerful performer.
The 6.7-inch OLED display with a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz is still there; no complaints. The battery capacity, while far from the M51’s industry-leading 7,000 mAh, remains at 5,000 mAh as with the M52, so this too can be filed under ‘no change is a good thing’. The 25W charging power also remains.
Samsung Galaxy M53 specifications at a glance:
- bodysuit: 164.7×77.0x7.4mm, 176g; plastic back, plastic frame.
- Display: 6.70″ Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 1080x2408px resolution, 20.07:9 aspect ratio, 394ppi.
- chipsets: MediaTek MT6877 Dimensity 900 (6nm): Octa-core (2×2.4GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×2.0GHz Cortex-A55); Mali G68 MC4.
- Memory: 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM; microSDXC (uses a shared SIM slot).
- Operating system/software: Android 12, OneUI 4.1.
- rear view camera: wide (head): 108MP, f/1.8, PDAF; ultra wide angle: 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/4″, 1.12 µm; macro: 2MP, f/2.4; Depth: 2MP, f/2.4.
- Front camera: 32MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide).
- Video recording: reversing camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; front camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps.
- Battery: 5000mAh; Fast charging 25W.
- remaining: Fingerprint reader (side-mounted).
Unpacking Samsung Galaxy M53
Another downgrade, and a very tangible one, is in the box and its contents. The two-piece white cardboard box is now half-height, which immediately indicates that there is no charger in it. There’s still a USB-C cable—perhaps for the last time, as it goes.
