Samsung Galaxy F13 is capable, dependable and inexpensive

In a few weeks, the most awaited smartphones of the year are expected to have a field day. There will be the new flip and fold phones from Samsung, then there is the new range of iPhones and let’s not forget Google Pixel. If you are really looking for phones with razzmatazz, don’t splurge now even if you are being promised transparent phones and what not. At the end of the day, you want a phone that will last you three-four years, which many of these flagships will. Then there is the other end of the spectrum many of us chase — the budget category.

It’s not always necessary to spend Rs 20,000 on a phone if your primary tasks involve browsing and watching YouTube videos. And it’s not necessary to go overboard if you want a secondary phone, which many still do despite having dual SIM technology. That’s the category Samsung is targeting with the Galaxy F13.

Call this a sensible phone because of the things that can be done with it. You want to watch YouTube videos, go ahead. There is a 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD display. Being a Samsung panel, expect the best quality display available in this segment. I may not agree with the teardrop notch but that doesn’t take anything away from the quality of the panel. It’s sharp enough for most videos… and most videos that we come across on social media are anyway not of high quality. The bezels are acceptable for the price that’s being paid. As expected, you get a plastic body all over, bringing down the overall weight. The bonus here is Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front.

Powering the device is Exynos 850 processor, which is powerful enough to help you through everyday tasks. Switching between apps is smooth and there is hardly any lag. What you shouldn’t expect is having a lot of apps open in the background. Helping performance is the availability of RAM boost feature, which turns a part of the storage into virtual RAM, giving the device extra smoothness. But the biggest feature on the phone is Auto Data Switching. In case you use the primary SIM for data while the other for calls, and you are in a zone where data connectivity is poor, the phone will automatically switch between SIMs to make sure you can carry on with video calls or calls made over data, say, via WhatsApp.

There is an ultra-wide lens that’s usually missing on phones in the affordable segment.

The cameras too don’t disappoint. Having 50MP as the main snapper ensures usable photos all the time. The colours are perfect for social media and there is enough sharpness. Samsung has even retained an ultra-wide snapper in the form of a 5MP lens, something many brands seem to drop from their portfolio in this price segment. Sure, a 5MP is not the best of options but it is enough to capture Instagram-ready pictures. The camera does well during daytime. Also present is a 2MP macro while the front camera captures skin tones well and is good for young vloggers.

This is a phone that offers you enough power for around two days on a single charge. The 6,000mAh battery takes some time to charge because of its size but on the bright side, there is a 15W charger in the box.

There is always the temptation to buy expensive phones with a powerful processor. Do you need it? There is a large group of users who don’t care about mobile phones beyond ordering grocery, browsing and scanning social media, and that too for only a couple of hours a day. And for them camera capabilities need not go beyond taking a few family photos. It’s a tempting phone to have because of how much can be achieved on such an inexpensive device. The Samsung Galaxy F13 is a capable, dependable but an inexpensive option.