Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime vs Galaxy M33: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing between two Samsung Galaxy phones can be tough. The M31 Prime was a popular budget option, but the newer M33 brings significant upgrades. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs and budget.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy M33 is the clear winner. Its significantly faster Exynos 1280 chipset, improved camera, faster charging, and modern features like reverse charging make it a worthwhile upgrade despite the slightly higher price. The M31 Prime remains a decent budget option if price is the absolute priority.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime Samsung Galaxy M33
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA
EDGEYes-
GPRSClass 10-
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020, October 14. Released 2020, October 172022, March 04
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, April 08
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)165.4 x 76.9 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)198 g (Global) / 215 g (India) (6.98 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 420 nits (peak)TFT LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetExynos 9611 (10 nm)Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Mali-G68
OSAndroid 10, One UI 2.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 16, One UI 8
Memory
Call recordsYes-
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
PhonebookYes-
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single3.15 MP8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radio, RDS, recordingUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
GamesDownloadable-
JavaYes-
MessagingSMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM-
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro
 Virtual proximity sensingVirtual Proximity Sensing
Battery
Charging15W wired25W wired 4.5W reverse wired
Stand-byUp to 150 h-
Talk timeUp to 1 h 30 min-
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Ion 5000 mAh (Global)· Li-Ion 6000 mAh (India only)
Misc
ColorsOcean Blue, Space Black, Iceberg BlueGreen, Blue, Brown
ModelsSM-M315F/DSSM-M336B, SM-M336B/DS, SM-M336BU, SM-M336BU/DS, SM-M336K
PriceAbout 190 EUR£ 299.00
SAR0.38 W/kg (head)-
SAR EU-1.04 W/kg (head)     1.38 W/kg (body)

Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime

  • Large 6000mAh battery
  • Decent display
  • Affordable price

  • Outdated chipset
  • Slow charging
  • Lower camera quality
  • 60Hz display

Samsung Galaxy M33

  • Faster Exynos 1280 chipset
  • 120Hz display
  • Improved camera
  • Faster 25W charging
  • Reverse wired charging

  • Slightly higher price
  • Design may not appeal to everyone

Display Comparison

The Galaxy M33 boasts a larger 6.6-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smoother scrolling and visuals compared to the M31 Prime's 6.4-inch FHD+ display with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. This difference is noticeable in everyday use and gaming.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer multiple rear cameras, the M33's camera system is generally superior. The M33 typically features a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing, resulting in better detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The M31 Prime's camera is adequate but lacks the refinement of the M33.

Performance

The Exynos 1280 in the M33 is a substantial upgrade over the Exynos 9611 in the M31 Prime. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the M33. The newer CPU architecture and 5nm process contribute to improved efficiency as well.

Battery Life

Both phones feature a 6000mAh battery, offering excellent battery life. However, the M33's more efficient chipset and 25W fast charging (compared to the M31 Prime's 15W) give it a slight edge in overall battery experience.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime? Those on a very tight budget who prioritize a large screen and decent battery life over performance and camera quality. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy M33? Anyone looking for a well-rounded mid-range phone with good performance, a capable camera, and faster charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy M33 worth the upgrade from the M31 Prime?
Yes, the M33 offers significant improvements in performance, display, and camera, making it a worthwhile upgrade for most users.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones have excellent battery life thanks to their 6000mAh batteries. However, the M33's more efficient chipset gives it a slight advantage.
❓ Does the M33 support reverse charging?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy M33 supports 4.5W reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge other devices using the phone's battery.