Admit it, you must have cursed your phone several times for running out of battery, leaving you stranded in the middle of a crisis. So why can’t phone manufacturers bung in a bigger battery? Obviously because nobody likes to carry a mini brick in the pocket! The usual question: Why can’t phone companies sacrifice a few millimeters of thickness for battery life? The answer: Samsung has delivered a 7,000 mAh battery in its new Galaxy M51. So what do I do with that extra battery life? This and a few other questions clouded my mind for 10-odd days while using the Galaxy M51.

Puts an anxious mind at ease

Pre-Covid times: I kept a charging cable in my office drawer, one in the handbag (in case travel was required), one on the nightstand and one at the home worktable. I didn’t need that many wires but what if the phone.... Being an early riser means answering more mails and messages followed by some quick reading over coffee and then a short film during commute (let’s hope it restarts soon!) and by the time the phone reaches the office, I’m busy hooking it to a power source because only 70 per cent power remains. This, I believe, is irrational behaviour on my part. Smartphone addicts tend to charge their phones even when it’s unnecessary. I use the word “addict” because of the amount of screen time I experience. A charged phone makes me feel like: “Bring it on!” When the power goes out at home, it gives me a chance to gloat while others run around looking for a battery pack!

Such irrational behaviour gets sorted with a 7,000mAh battery, which has way more milliamps than the usual 4,500-5000 options. Even with heavy use — video gaming to streaming to videoconferencing to basic video editing — one can easily get two days of use before having to juice up. For people who only stream and browse, the battery may easily last for three days. Even the most impatient among you would agree that around 110 minutes is not that long to charge up a phone completely using the 25W fast-charger in the box. Realme may say it takes only 35-odd minutes to juice up the Realme 7 but what Realme doesn’t emphasise is its small battery size.

Not thick as a brick

Had coming up with bigger-size batteries been a practical answer, Apple would have done so... long ago. While Apple wouldn’t cut down on the elegance quotient at all, Android phone makers, on the other hand, have been trying different sizes for years as well as different finishes. A few have got it right but most haven’t.

In the case of Samsung, Snapdragon 730G is a worthy processor while the 6.7-inch super AMOLED screen is as good as it can get for streaming and playing games at this price range. It makes sense going with full HD+ resolution rather than QHD+, which drains the battery quicker. Even with a 60Hz refresh rate, I am happy that the company has gone with a good display. The jelly scrolling some keep talking about on 60Hz can’t really be experienced unless one dedicates a mindless amount of time to it. Yes, some of the competing brands are offering stronger processors but ask yourself what the phone would be used for. I would use this more for streaming while gaming would account a few hours every week. Snapdragon 730G is not a power-hungry processor but ensures there is no lag while switching between applications.

At 213g, it’s not the heaviest of phones out there even after sporting such a big battery. The optimal weight has been achieved because of the use of plastic. Yet, design aesthetics are in line with its mid-segment phones. And I am not bothered by the rear panel collecting a lot of fingerprints because a phone cover anyway is on most shopping lists.

This is where Apple and Android phones differ. Apple would go as far as possible to reduce power usage though tweaking its apps and the operating system (which is under its control) over compromising on design or the material used to make a phone. Some years ago, Jony Ive, the former design head of Apple, was asked whether a longer lasting battery life was more important. He reportedly said that one loves the iPhone because it’s gorgeous and light and that means people would use it more. And since the iPhone is used more, its battery runs out faster. Hmm, strange answer but the man has a point there.

Transition period?

Samsung’s flagship phones have wireless-charging capabilities. An expensive technology, but it’s only a matter of time before the company brings the feature to other devices. Here’s the deal: Even if we are given the biggest of batteries, it won’t stop us from charging the phone at night. It’s now a habit. If Samsung can give Qi charging or wireless charging to all users, there will be a charging pad on my nightstand and on my office table. The only time I would put down my phone would be to charge! What I am trying to get at is that perhaps the bigger-battery game is a transition period to wireless charging. And Samsung is good at both giving bigger batteries as well as good charging pads.

Is it for you?

Well, we haven’t spoken about any of the other features on the Galaxy M51 other than battery because the camera set-up is practical, complete with a 64MP primary lens; the exposure is good while there is great dynamic range. There is nothing to complain about the 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera while the night mode comes in handy, obviously, after sunset. All this combined with a top-of-the-line display, an able processor and a truly monster battery at its heart, the Samsung Galaxy M51 has a power-dressing image that’s hard to beat.

At a glance

Device: Samsung Galaxy M51

• Display: 6.7-inch sAMOLED Plus
• RAM/ROM: 6GB+128GB/ 8GB+128GB
• Camera: Rear — 64MP + 12MP + 5MP + 5MP; front — 32MP
• Processor: Snapdragon 730G
• Battery: 7,000mAh (with 25W in-box charger)
• Price: Upwards of Rs 24,999