Buzz
In the recent days, Samsung has emerged as a phenomenon in the mid-range segment with the introduction of Galaxy M34 5G. However, many users might find themselves torn between the experience of using two equally competitive brands - OPPO and Xiaomi.
In the mid-range segment where Galaxy M34 5G holds its ground, there's a notable contender that has been making waves for years - the Redmi Note 12 Pro, along with the much-loved brand among Vietnamese users - OPPO, represented by OPPO Reno8 T 5G. With such established names, does Galaxy M34 5G have what it takes to convince users to choose it? Let's explore in the article below.
Comparison of Galaxy M34 5G with Redmi Note 12 Pro and OPPO Reno8 T 5GDesign and Display
Galaxy M34 5G, Redmi Note 12 Pro, and OPPO Reno8 T 5G are three premium smartphones recently introduced in 2023. All three feature OLED displays with high refresh rates, Full HD+ resolution, and Dolby Vision support. However, they also have noteworthy differences in size, brightness, screen ratio, and protective glass.
Let's start by delving into the displays of these 3 models as it is a key highlight in the mid-range segment for users. Overall, the display capabilities of all 3 provide high detail and impressive color reproduction. However, Samsung seems to fall behind slightly in appearance, equipping only a waterdrop notch camera at the top edge.
The screen of Galaxy M34 5G lacks allure with a waterdrop cameraCertainly, Chinese manufacturers always heavily invest in configuration specifications. The screens of Redmi Note 12 Pro and OPPO Reno8 T 5G share similarities with a 120Hz refresh rate and higher resolution due to larger screen sizes, measuring 6.67 inches and 6.7 inches respectively. Moreover, both achieve an impressive screen-to-body ratio of 86.7% and 89.6%.
In contrast, in these aspects, Galaxy M34 5G seems quite modest with a 6.5-inch size, slightly smaller, but smaller nonetheless. Additionally, due to its smaller size, the Full-HD+ resolution is narrower at around 1080 x 2340 pixels, and the screen-to-body ratio is only 83.1%.
OPPO Reno8 T 5G remains the most enticing with a curved screen and an impressive ratioHowever, if you've experienced it, the Galaxy M34 5G's screen is actually the most balanced among the three devices. Samsung has neutralized the AMOLED panel for the most balanced appeal to users. With a brightness of 1,000 nits, slightly less than Redmi Note 12 Pro's 1,100 nits but higher than OPPO Reno8 T 5G's 950 nits, Galaxy M34 5G ensures a very suitable experience for watching movies or outdoor use.
Moreover, all 3 screens achieve a high refresh rate of up to 120Hz for a smoother and more seamless experience than previous generations. In terms of Galaxy M34 5G, it may not be the most impressive, but its color balance and image detail provide a comfortable and pleasant perception.
Xiaomi stands out significantly with a quite impressive designRegarding design, this section is objectively evaluated without declaring which phone is more beautiful, as everyone's aesthetic preferences differ. In terms of specifications, Galaxy M34 5G, although the smallest with a 6.5-inch screen, is thicker and heavier at 8.8mm and 208g.
On the other hand, despite being made of plastic and glass back, Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro and OPPO Reno8 T 5G are quite slim and lightweight. With measurements of 8mm and 187g, and 7.7mm and 171g, respectively. However, for users who prioritize gaming or using the phone on the go, a solid and comfortable grip is crucial.
Galaxy M34 5G, despite being the smallest, is the heaviest and thickestFurthermore, the design of Galaxy M34 5G is inspired by the flagship Galaxy S23 series, inheriting many impressive features. The separated camera module gives a premium feel, even though the frame is still plastic. With a consistent design, brand recognition is higher and more comfortable for outdoor use.
Camera
I don't have many comments on the specifications of the Galaxy M34 5G because simply, the product's 3 cameras, including the 50MP main sensor, don't offer many advantages compared to Redmi Note 12 Pro or Reno8 T 5G.
Galaxy M34 5G features a reliable camera system with a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 2MP auxiliary camera. The main sensor provides a good experience for basic user needs, thanks to the large f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS) for anti-shake capability.
The camera of Galaxy M34 5G is sufficient for the mid-range segmentOn the other hand, the camera of Redmi Note 12 Pro is most impressive, with a 108MP main sensor and two 2MP auxiliary cameras. Additionally, the device supports an 8MP ultra-wide-angle sensor for everyday tasks such as landscape or street photography. The 108MP main sensor allows Redmi Note 12 Pro to perform well in various usage scenarios, including low-light conditions.
As for OPPO Reno8 T 5G, the 3-camera system is still excellent in the current market, but the absence of an ultra-wide-angle lens may inconvenience users, especially those who enjoy traveling. The main sensor of Reno8 T 5G reaches 108MP, on par with Redmi Note 12 Pro, delivering high-quality and sharp images.
But the 108MP main sensor remains the unforgettable strength of OPPO Reno8 T 5GPerformance
The performance of Galaxy M34 5G is highly praised thanks to the Exynos 1280 processor manufactured on the efficient 5nm process. Meanwhile, Redmi Note 12 Pro uses the relatively old Snapdragon 732G, and Reno8 T 5G uses Snapdragon 695 5G.
Both processors used in Xiaomi and OPPO devices are mid-range, delivering decent performance without being overly impressive. It's worth noting that these processor models were introduced 2-3 years ago, leading to heat generation with process nodes of 8nm and 6nm, respectively.
Redmi Note 12 Pro is quite peculiar with a 3-year-old processorLooking at the AnTuTu scores achieved by all 3 products, the scores from both Xiaomi and OPPO devices are relatively low, hovering just below 400,000 points. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro performs even worse with just over 350,000 points. If gaming is a priority in the coming years, these choices may not be the most sensible. In contrast, Galaxy M34 5G performs the best with a score surpassing 450,000 points.
Performance-wise, the POCO M5 remains a gaming-centric phone worthy of users' attentionBattery Life
In terms of battery life, Samsung stands out with a massive 6,000mAh battery and 25W fast charging. On the other hand, other manufacturers opt for smaller batteries, with Xiaomi having a 5,000mAh battery and 67W fast charging, and OPPO using the smallest 4,800mAh battery with 67W fast charging.
Certainly, with the power-efficient processor and the massive battery of the Galaxy M34 5G, Samsung emerges as the winner. The company's battery can sustain up to 13 hours of continuous on-screen time with mixed tasks like gaming, watching movies, or constant Facebook updates.
Galaxy M34 5G delivers an impressive battery life once againMeanwhile, the batteries of the other two manufacturers, although not as stellar, are still excellent. Despite having smaller batteries, both can last around 8-9 hours for mixed tasks. Notably, OPPO's battery achieves over 7 hours of continuous gaming, which deserves commendation.
However, the disappointment lies in the 25W fast charging capacity, requiring users to wait for nearly 2 continuous hours to fully charge the device. In contrast, the 67W fast charging of the two Chinese manufacturers takes just under 1 hour.
Meanwhile, the representatives from China achieve the most impressive full battery charging timesConclusion
Overall, all three phones are excellent products in the high-end usage segment. However, leaning towards basic users who prioritize smooth and stable performance over an extended period, I choose the Galaxy M34 5G. With its OneUI interface, I experience fewer notification delays, better performance, and an impressive battery life. With these advantages, I can overlook the mentioned drawbacks.
