It is a public forum and like I said in the first post, healthy discussion is welcome so no one should be offended by your post.
More filter media does mean better filtration actually and more clean oil going into the engine. I think the visual inspection of the filter paper condition tells a lot about its quality but then it is just me. Like the topic title says, it is a visual inspection. I don't know how to do any other analysis on this and TBH, I won't waste it even if I knew how to do it. Following is a link which has inspector several branded filters, brands everyone is well aware of:
Toyota Filters - Oil Filters Revealed - MiniMopar Resources
Please look at the LOWEST filter paper area, which comes out to be 650 sq. cm. LEPPON filter is still 200 sq. cm short. Some of the brands use very good filter paper, so why don't they reduce their cost by making a filter only 450 sq. cm. It will save them ALOT of dollars.
Every oil change service I have come across recommends LEPPON filters but why should one do so? Has anyone performed such tests that they recommend it? We are all warned of "MADE IN CHINA" oil filters, we are all warned of "MADE IN A PAKISTANI DHAABA" oil filters. The reason? They use sub-standard parts, from filter paper to bypass valve. The thing is, cheap filters have the same type of spring loaded design. If "MADE IN CHINA" filter is not good for engine, so called "MADE IN MALAYSIA" filter is not good either if it is using the same paper and design.
I would like to point everyone's attention to the photos of a filter named "GOOD WILL", which were kindly posted by @cool_raja:
https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/oil-fuel-fluids-filters/229238-engine-oil-old-cars-3#post4248380
That is obviously a Chinese and the LEPPON I took apart is the same, except the Chinese one has a better anti-drain back valve.
The fact that a lot of people are using filters other than OEM but their engines are running. True, it is happening but the engines will not die on first use or many subsequent uses of sub-standard oil filters. The use of bad oil filters DECREASES the engine life, it simply doesn't go boom and stop working. One part or another will fail and the engine will need to be re-built - WHICH DOES HAPPEN HERE. I will leave it to @Xulfiqar and other experts on this board who can actually give us an idea of how much the engine life will be decreased in KILOMETERS, if they have got experience about it.