Galaxy M31 v/s Redmi Note 8 Pro: Which is better?
What's the story
The mid-range smartphone segment in India is flooded with capable handsets and the latest entrant, Samsung's Galaxy M31, ups the ante. The handset comes at an introductory starting price of Rs. 14,999 and headlines an AMOLED screen, 64MP quad rear camera, and a hefty 6,000mAh battery. But how does it fare against the popular Redmi Note 8 Pro which has recently received a price-cut?
Design
Galaxy M31 v/s Redmi Note 8 Pro: At a glance
Design-wise, the Galaxy M31 is not much different from its predecessor, the Galaxy M30. It has the same U-shaped edge-to-edge screen and a glossy polycarbonate body. In comparison, the Redmi Note 8 Pro features a waterdrop notched display, a premium-feeling all-glass construction, and an attractive gradient finish on the rear side. Winner: Redmi Note 8 Pro.
Information
All about the screen
The Samsung Galaxy M31 sports a 6.4-inch Infinity-U AMOLED screen with a full-HD+ (1080x2340 pixels) resolution. In comparison, the Redmi Note 8 Pro comes with a 6.53-inch LCD panel, offering full-HD+ (1080x2340 pixels) resolution. Winner: Galaxy M31 for its brighter and more color-accurate AMOLED display.
Cameras
For the shutterbugs and selfie lovers
The quad rear-camera on the M31 includes a 64MP primary sensor, 8MP ultra-wide angle sensor, 5MP depth sensor, and 5MP macro lens. On the front, it has a 32MP selfie snapper. The Xiaomi mid-ranger also has a similar setup with a 64MP primary sensor, 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, 2MP macro lens, and 2MP depth sensor. Up front, it has a 20MP camera. Winner: Galaxy M31.
Internals
Under the hood
The Galaxy M31 is backed by an Exynos 9611 processor, combined with 6GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB of storage. The Redmi Note 8 Pro gets a gaming-centric mid-range MediaTek G90T chipset, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 128GB of built-in storage. The Xiaomi handset also supports LiquidCool technology that promises to offer improved thermal management. Winner: Redmi Note 8 Pro.
Information
Battery to biometrics
Under the hood, the Galaxy M31 packs a mighty 6,000mAh battery with support for 15W fast charging while the Xiaomi mid-ranger houses a 4,500mAh battery with 18W fast charging support. For biometric authentication, both handsets get a rear-mounted fingerprint reader. Winner: Galaxy M31.
Pocket-pinch
Pricing: The key factor
The Samsung Galaxy M31 costs Rs. 15,999 for the 6GB/64GB variant and Rs. 16,999 for the 6GB/128GB model. However, the company is offering a special introductory discount of Rs. 1,000 on both the models. On the other hand, the Redmi Note 8 Pro costs Rs. 13,999 for the 6GB/64GB model, Rs. 15,999 for the mid-end 6GB/128GB variant, and Rs. 17,999 for the 8GB/128GB configuration.
Our verdict
How things stack up?
The Galaxy M31 has many advantages, namely an AMOLED display, overall better cameras, and a considerably bigger battery. Meanwhile, the Redmi Note 8 Pro attracts with a premium body, versatile cameras, built-in cooling, and higher RAM option. Hence, if the design is not much of a concern, the Galaxy M31 should meet all your smartphone requirements including some light-to-medium gaming. Winner: Galaxy M31.