Samsung Galaxy M40: Budget Phone with Punch-Hole Display

The Samsung Galaxy M40 offers a large 6.3-inch punch-hole display, Snapdragon 675 performance, and a triple camera system at an affordable price point. This 2019 mid-ranger remains a solid budget Android option with upgradable software.

Overview

Released in June 2019, the Samsung Galaxy M40 brought several premium features to the budget segment, including a bezel-less display with punch-hole camera design and capable hardware. Priced at approximately €200, this smartphone targeted users seeking Samsung quality without the flagship price tag.

Design & Display

The Galaxy M40 features a modern design with a 6.3-inch PLS LCD display offering Full HD+ resolution (1080 × 2340 pixels). The 19.5:9 aspect ratio and 409 ppi density provide sharp visuals, while Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protects the front panel. The device achieves an impressive 84.9% screen-to-body ratio with minimal bezels.

Available in Cocktail Orange, Midnight Blue, and Seawater Blue color options, the phone maintains a slim profile at 7.9mm thickness and weighs 168 grams. The plastic construction helps keep costs down while maintaining durability.

Performance & Hardware

At its core, the Galaxy M40 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 chipset built on an 11nm process. The octa-core CPU configuration includes two high-performance Kryo 460 Gold cores (based on Cortex-A76) clocked at 2.0 GHz and six efficiency-oriented Kryo 460 Silver cores (Cortex-A55) at 1.7 GHz.

The device comes in two memory configurations: 4GB RAM with 64GB storage or 6GB RAM with 128GB storage, both using eMMC 5.1 technology. Graphics are handled by the Adreno 612 GPU, and storage is expandable via microSDXC card for additional space.

Camera

The triple camera system on the Galaxy M40 includes:

• 32MP main sensor with f/1.7 aperture and PDAF
• 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens with 12mm equivalent focal length
• 5MP depth sensor for portrait effects

The camera supports 4K video recording at 30fps and features including HDR, panorama, and continuous shooting. For selfies, a 16MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture captures 1080p video at 30fps with HDR support.

Battery & Charging

The device is powered by a 3500mAh lithium-polymer battery that supports 15W fast charging. The non-removable battery provides enough power for a day of moderate usage, with the efficient Snapdragon 675 chipset helping to optimize energy consumption.

Software & Features

The Galaxy M40 originally launched with Android 9.0 Pie with Samsung's One UI but is upgradable to Android 11 with One UI 3.1. This provides users with modern software features, security updates, and Samsung's user-friendly interface enhancements.

The phone includes a fingerprint sensor for security alongside other standard sensors including accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass.

Connectivity & Audio

Connectivity options include dual SIM support, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C 2.0, and NFC. GPS support covers multiple systems including GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS. The device features a loudspeaker and FM radio but notably lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Impressive bezel-less display with punch-hole design
• Capable Snapdragon 675 performance
• Versatile triple camera system
• Upgradable to Android 11
• Affordable price point

Cons:

• No 3.5mm headphone jack
• Plastic construction feels less premium
• Battery capacity could be larger
• eMMC storage rather than UFS

Tags: Samsung,Galaxy M40,budget smartphone,triple camera,Android

The Samsung Galaxy M40 offers a large 6.3-inch punch-hole display, Snapdragon 675 performance, and a triple camera system at an affordable price point. This 2019 mid-ranger remains a solid budget Android option with upgradable software.