Samsung Galaxy M16 5G: A budget twin of A16

Hey everyone! If you're planning to buy a phone around 30,000 rupees and the Samsung A16 is on your list, you might want to hit pause for a second because there's a new phone in town that's giving the A16 a serious run for its money. The phone is the Galaxy M16, and I will be discussing it in depth here. The M16 5G is almost a clone of the A16 5G. Same specs, same performance, same camera, same display. It’s like Samsung just gave the A16 a haircut and a new outfit and released it under a different name. But the kicker is that the M16 is actually cheaper. The 6GB RAM and 128GB storage version of the M16 costs 27,000 rupees, which is about 3,000 less than the A16. So if you're all about getting value for your money, this one’s worth a serious look. The only real difference between the two is that the A16 also comes in an 8GB RAM version. So if you’re a power user who keeps 20 apps running in the background or jumps between gaming, editing, and social media all day, that extra RAM might be useful. But if you’re like most people who just want smooth performance for everyday stuff, 6GB will easily get the job done.

Samsung Galaxy M16 5G review: Specifications

• Dimension and Weight: 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.9 mm, 191g
• Design: Galaxy design with monotone finish
• Display: 6.7” Super AMOLED Panel, FHD+, 90Hz refresh rate
• Chipset: Octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 6300, 6nm
• RAM: 4/6/8GB
• OS & UI: Android 15 with One UI 7 on top
• Rear Camera: Triple Camera (50MP Primary + 5MP Ultrawide + 2MP Macro Lens)
• Front Camera: 13MP Camera
• Security: Physical fingerprint scanner (side-mounted)
• Battery: 5000mAh with 25W fast charging
• Colors Thunder: Black, Mint Green, Blush Pink
• Buy Galaxy M16 5G with Free 25W Charger here

Samsung Galaxy M16 5G review

Unboxing the M16 is a no-nonsense affair. There’s nothing surprising in the box. Just the basics, you get the phone, a cable, and the usual paperwork. It’s exactly what you’d expect from Samsung in this price range. Nothing flashy, but everything you need to get started.

Design and Build

• 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.9 mm
• 191 g
• Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame

Design-wise, I personally think the M16 actually looks better than the A16. It’s got a slightly more modern look with a pill-shaped camera module that reminds me of Samsung’s more premium A26 and A36 models. The body is still plastic both the back and the frame but it feels decent in the hand. It also comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is fast and reliable. On top of that, the M16 has IP54 water and dust resistance, which is a nice bonus. It won’t survive a swim, but it can handle splashes, rain, or the occasional drop into a kitchen sink.

Display

• 6.7 inches
• Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits

Let’s talk about the screen. Both the M16 and A16 come with a 6.6-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution. That’s a fancy way of saying the screen looks sharp, colors are vibrant, and scrolling feels smooth. Whether you’re watching Netflix, scrolling through Instagram, or just browsing the web, the display does a solid job. There’s no HDR support, so you won’t get that ultra-vivid look while watching HDR content but honestly, it’s not a big deal unless you’re really into video quality. One thing I felt a little bit outdated by is the waterdrop-style notch. In 2025, that design is starting to feel a little tired, but it’s something you’ll quickly get used to.

Performance

• Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm), Octa-core
• Mali-G57 MC2

Performance-wise, you’re getting the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset on both phones. This chip is not built for hardcore gaming, but it handles everyday tasks like social media, YouTube, messaging, and basic multitasking without any issues. There might be occasional slowdowns if you push it hard, but overall, it feels smooth and reliable for regular use. You can even do some light gaming. I tested PUBG, which runs at around 40 frames per second. It’s playable, just don’t expect a buttery smooth experience. Heavier games like Genshin Impact do struggle a bit, but casual games like Mobile Legends, Candy Crush, or Clash of Clans run just fine.

Battery

• 5000 mAh, 25W wired

Battery life is pretty standard for Samsung these days. The M16 packs a 5000mAh battery, the same as the A16. It gave me about six and a half to seven hours of screen time, which means you can easily get through a full day on a single charge. When it comes to charging, it supports 25W fast charging, and if you’re using Samsung’s official charger, it takes roughly an hour and a half to fully top up. Not the fastest charging in the world, but not bad either.

Software

• Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades
• One UI 7

Now, software is an area where Samsung really pulls ahead of most of the competition. The M16 runs on One UI 7, which is Samsung’s latest version of Android. It looks clean, it’s easy to use, and it doesn’t come loaded with a ton of bloatware. But I think the best part is that Samsung is promising six years of software updates, which includes four major Android updates and two extra years of security patches. That’s something you rarely see in this price range. It means the phone will stay secure and usable for a long time. If you’re someone who holds onto a phone for four or five years, this is a huge plus.

Camera

• 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide)
• 5 MP, f/2.22 MP, f/2.4 (macro)
• 13 MP (front camera)

Main Camera

As for the cameras, there’s no real difference between the M16 and the A16. Both have a triple-camera setup with a 50-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultrawide, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. In good lighting, photos come out sharp with nice colors. The detail is decent, and the photos look almost identical between the two models. I did notice that the M16 sometimes struggles a bit with dynamic range, especially when there’s a lot of light and shadow in the same frame, but it’s a small difference.

Daytime images

Portrait

Portrait shots look nice, with a soft background blur and a slightly pinkish tone that Samsung phones often add.

Ultrawide

Ultrawide photos aren’t that great on either phone. They look washed out, and the detail is pretty weak, so don’t expect amazing shots there.

Night time 

Night photography is okay, both phones do a decent job, but again, nothing impressive.

Videos

For videos, you can record up to 1080p at 30 frames per second. There’s no stabilization, so if your hands are shaky or you’re moving around a lot, the footage can look a bit wobbly. But for static shots or simple clips, the quality is good enough.

Samsung Galaxy M16 review: Conclusion

So, what’s the conclusion? Well, if you’re trying to decide between the A16 and the M16, and you don’t need the extra 8GB RAM version, the M16 is clearly the better deal. You're saving money and getting almost exactly the same experience. The M16 looks a bit better, works just as well, and still gives you long-term updates and solid performance for everyday use. Unless you really need that higher RAM option for heavy multitasking, the M16 is the smart pick here. It’s great for regular users, content consumers, and anyone who wants a reliable phone that will last for years without breaking the bank.

Samsung Galaxy M16 review: Pros and Cons

• Watch our video review of Samsung Galaxy A36