Samsung’s Galaxy M series has quietly built a reputation for offering reliable, value-for-money phones, and the new Galaxy M17 5G continues in that direction. At first glance, it doesn’t feel like a budget phone. The design, the screen, and even the software experience come across as quite refined. And at a starting price of Rs 12,999, it’s easy to see why the general public should be curious about it. I’ve been using the phone for a short while now, and my initial impression is that Samsung hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel here. Instead, it has focused on making small, sensible improvements that make everyday use smoother.
Also read: Samsung Galaxy M17 5G with 5,000 mAh battery, Exynos 1330 chip launched in India: Check price, specs
The first thing you notice about the Galaxy M17 5G is how thin and light it feels. At just 7.5mm thick, it’s surprisingly slim for a big phone. The design is very Samsung, and I mean that in both good and slightly predictable ways. You immediately know it’s a Samsung device the moment you pick it up. Some might call that repetitive, but I think design consistency isn’t a bad thing. It gives a sense of familiarity across the brand’s lineup, whether you’re holding a Rs 10,000 phone or a flagship.
The phone comes in two colours, Moonlight Silver and Sapphire Black, and I personally like the silver one. It looks far more premium than what the price tag suggests. The matte finish helps keep fingerprints away, while the use of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the front adds confidence in durability. It also gets an IP54 rating, which means it can handle the usual splashes and dust. My only gripe is the display notch. In 2025, a hole-punch cutout would’ve looked cleaner, especially since many phones in this price range have already moved on from the notch.
Samsung rarely misses when it comes to screens, and that continues here. The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate looks great. It’s bright, sharp, and vibrant. The company claims 1,100 nits of peak brightness, and while I haven’t measured it, the screen holds up well even under bright sunlight. Scrolling feels smooth, and touch response has been fine so far. For multimedia, this is easily one of the better displays you can get in the segment.
Under the hood, the Galaxy M17 5G is powered by the Exynos 1330 chipset, which is a mild step up from what we saw on the M16. It’s not a performance powerhouse, but for everyday use, such as social media and light gaming, it does the job without complaint. The 5nm chip seems reasonably efficient too. I’ve noticed no major heating issues so far. Samsung offers up to 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, which should be fine for most users, though I do wish there were a 256 GB option for those who want more space. The hybrid SIM slot does allow for storage expansion, but that means you’ll have to choose between a second SIM and a microSD card.
The camera setup includes a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a macro camera. For a phone that starts under Rs 13,000, having OIS and an ultra-wide camera is a big plus. In good lighting, the main camera captures sharp, balanced shots with colours that aren’t overly boosted. The OIS helps reduce blur, especially when shooting handheld. The ultra-wide lens, however, shows some softness at the edges, and low-light photos tend to get noisy. The front camera is 13 megapixels and does a decent job for selfies, though skin tones occasionally lean towards the cooler side. I’ll reserve my final camera verdict for the full review, but for now, the results seem promising for its class.
Battery life is another strong point. The 5,000mAh cell comfortably lasts a day of mixed use, including calls, social media, a bit of gaming, and camera use, with some charge left by bedtime. It supports 25W fast charging, which isn’t class-leading but acceptable at this price. Just note that Samsung does not include a charger in the box.
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The Galaxy M17 5G runs Android 15 with Samsung’s latest One UI 7 out of the box. For a budget phone, the interface feels smooth and user-friendly, and some AI features like Circle to Search are integrated quite neatly. Now, you do get some pre-loaded bloatware, but you can always uninstall unnecessary apps to your liking for a cleaner, fuss-free experience.
The real highlight, though, is Samsung’s long-term support promise: six years of OS and security updates. In the budget space, that’s almost unheard of. You also get features like Samsung Knox Vault for security, Voice Focus for clearer calls, and Samsung Wallet with Tap and Pay support. These are usually seen on more expensive Galaxy devices, so it’s nice to see them trickle down.
Also read: Best Mobile Phones Under 10000 in India
From what I’ve seen so far, the Galaxy M17 5G feels like one of the most balanced budget phones Samsung has made recently. It’s slim, it looks good, the display is nice, and the software promise adds real value. Of course, it’s not perfect; the notch feels outdated, charging could’ve been faster, and low-light photography still leaves room for improvement. But these are not deal-breakers in the bigger picture.
At a starting price of Rs 12,999, you’re getting a phone that looks premium, performs well, and should age better than most of its competitors thanks to Samsung’s software policy. My full review will take a deeper look at the camera and long-term performance, but so far, the M17 5G seems like a smart pick for anyone looking for a dependable everyday smartphone without spending too much.
Also read: iPhone 17 Pro Max review: Brilliance at a price
