Samsung Galaxy A35 Review: Beautiful, bright, powerful and not too expensive!
Today, we’re diving into the new Samsung Galaxy A35, the successor to last year’s popular A34. Before we delve into the details, it’s essential to understand where this device stands in Samsung’s extensive lineup. Historically, the A30 series has occupied the mid-range segment, offering a balance of features and affordability. Positioned between the budget-friendly A20 series and the higher-tier A50 and A70 series, the A30 series has catered to a broad spectrum of consumers.
However, this year, Samsung has made some adjustments to its A series lineup. The A70 series has been phased out, and the new A55, announced alongside the A35, is not slated for release in certain regions, including the US. Consequently, the A35 smartphone now emerges as the highest-end option within the A series for many consumers—a somewhat unexpected shift in the lineup.
Given this change, one might anticipate significant upgrades or alterations to differentiate the A35 from its predecessor or align it more closely with higher-end devices. However, upon closer inspection, the A35’s specifications remain largely similar to the A34.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s analyze its features and performance.
Samsung Galaxy A35: Video Review
| Specs | Samsung Galaxy A35 |
| Chipset | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| Memory Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Display | 6.6 inch, Super AMOLED, 1080 x 2340 pixels, 120Hz, 1000 nits, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Display Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Software | Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| SIM support | Nano-SIM, eSIM or Hybrid SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| NFC | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, Virtual proximity sensing |
| Rear cameras | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 5 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Front camera | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Battery | Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 25W wired |
| Dust/water resistance | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Size | 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm (6.37 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Colors | Iceblue, Lilac, Navy |
Samsung Galaxy A35: Design
The Samsung Galaxy A35 continues the legacy of the A series by offering a blend of affordability and modern features. Despite retaining the same size as its predecessor, the A34, with a 6.6-inch screen, the A35 manages to provide a more premium feel, thanks to reduced black borders around the display, albeit still not achieving an 85% screen-to-body ratio.
On the back of the A35 is a triple lens camera setup that promises versatility when shooting different types of shots.
One noticeable improvement is the shift to glass materials for both the front and back covers, with the front featuring Gorilla Glass Victus Plus. This upgrade not only enhances the device’s aesthetics but also adds a weightier feel, contributing to a more premium impression. However, the frame of the phone remains plastic, although it doesn’t compromise on quality.
Opting for the lemon colorway, which resembles a light shade of green, the A35 exudes a subtle elegance, although the glass back doesn’t produce the pronounced holographic effect depicted in product images.
In terms of functionality, the A35 offers flexibility with its dual SIM and SD card tray, allowing users to choose between additional SIM card support or expanded storage via an SD card. Furthermore, with eSIM support, users have even more options for managing their connectivity needs.
The device retains standard features like the volume and power buttons on the right side, a USB-C port for charging, and a main loudspeaker at the bottom. However, the absence of a headphone jack may disappoint some users, leaving a noticeable vacant space at the bottom.
Display and Audio
The Samsung Galaxy A35 may not bring significant upgrades to its display compared to its predecessor, but it certainly doesn’t disappoint in terms of screen quality and features. Sporting a sizable 6.6-inch Super AMOLED panel with a full HD resolution of 2340 x 1080 and a density of 390 pixels per inch, it delivers an impressive visual experience. What’s more, the display boasts a high refresh rate of 120 Hz, a feature typically found on much pricier smartphones.
With vibrant and punchy colors characteristic of AMOLED technology, the A35’s screen ensures an immersive viewing experience, whether you’re gaming, streaming content, or simply browsing the web. The 1080 resolution guarantees sharpness and clarity, even when scrutinized up close, leaving no room for pixelation.
Although the screen’s brightness peaks at around 1,000 nits, which may not match the brightness levels of Samsung’s S series devices, it still offers ample luminance for most lighting conditions. Additionally, the upgraded Gorilla Glass Victus Plus contributes to reduced glare and fingerprint smudges, enhancing the overall usability of the display.
Despite being an A series device, the A35 shares the same impressive screen specifications as its higher-tier counterparts, such as the A55 and even the S series devices.
Beneath the display, the A35 houses a fingerprint sensor for convenient and secure unlocking. While it may not feature the ultrasonic sensors found in flagship devices, the optical fingerprint sensor proves to be fast and reliable, especially when coupled with Face Unlock.
In terms of audio, the A35 features a dual speaker setup, although it may not rival the audio performance of more premium smartphones. While the speakers provide adequate sound quality, they may exhibit some distortion and muffled tones at higher volumes.
Performance
When it comes to the specifications and performance of the Samsung Galaxy A35, there’s a mix of good news and bad news. Let’s start with the positives: Samsung has equipped the A35 with a faster processor compared to its predecessor, the A34. However, the downside is that it’s powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 1380 chipset, rather than the more commonly favored MediaTek or Snapdragon processors.
The Exynos 1380 is not a brand-new chipset; in fact, it’s the same one found in last year’s A34, which received some criticism for its performance. Geekbench scores for the Exynos 1380 may not be as impressive as some other processors on the market. However, for everyday tasks like social media browsing, video streaming, and casual gaming, the A35 should offer a satisfactory experience. It’s important to note that for the vast majority of users, the chipset inside a phone may not be a significant factor in their purchasing decision.
For those who demand top-notch performance for gaming or multitasking, it’s worth considering the minor limitations of the Exynos 1380 chipset. However, if you fall into this category, you may already have your sights set on a different device with a more powerful processor.
That being said, the Samsung Galaxy A35 is poised to provide reliable performance for everyday use, and it’s likely to remain capable for years to come. Samsung has committed to providing four major Android updates for the A35, along with five years of regular security updates. This ensures that users will continue to receive the latest features and security enhancements, keeping the device fresh and up-to-date.
Camera
The camera setup on the Samsung Galaxy A35 remains largely unchanged from its predecessor, the A34, with one minor tweak—the main lens has been upgraded to a 50MP shooter from the previous 48MP. However, it’s worth noting that this 50MP sensor differs slightly from the one found in the A54, featuring a slightly different sensor size.
The rest of the camera setup remains consistent, featuring an 8MP 123° ultrawide lens for capturing expansive landscapes and a 5-megapixel macro lens for detailed close-up shots. The front-facing selfie camera retains its 13MP resolution and f/2.2 aperture.
While there aren’t any significant changes in the camera hardware, the A35 does offer some software enhancements to elevate the photography experience. Users can enjoy features such as 4K video recording, a 50MP picture mode, and enhanced video stabilization with gyro EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization). Additionally, the camera app provides a variety of shooting modes and features, including Pro Video, Night Mode, and Super Slow-Mo, offering users a range of creative options to explore.
However, it’s important to note that while the A35’s camera setup offers decent performance for its price range, it may not compete with the advanced camera systems found in some other smartphones within a similar price bracket.
Battery
The Samsung Galaxy A35 packs a robust 5000 mAh battery, which is certainly commendable and ensures prolonged usage without constantly hunting for a power outlet.
However, it’s worth noting that Samsung has maintained the battery size across multiple iterations of its A series devices without introducing any significant advancements in power management or charging technology.
When it comes to charging options, the A35 offers 25-watt wired fast charging. However, it’s important to mention that Samsung does not provide a fast charger in the box, so users will need to supply their own compatible charger to take advantage of this feature.
Samsung Galaxy A35: Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy A35 has a lot to prove this year, especially for customers in regions where it serves as the highest-spec option. With this positioning, the A35 inevitably invites comparison to devices like the S23 FE or even the upcoming S24. However, this isn’t necessarily a disadvantage; in fact, it might work in the A35’s favor.
Despite being positioned below the flagship S Series, the A35 offers a compelling package at a significantly lower price point. With features like an all-glass build, a solid display, decent specifications, and a perfectly usable camera setup, the A35 presents an attractive proposition for budget-conscious consumers.
In regions where the A55 is available, some may argue that it offers enough additional features to justify the higher price tag. However, for many users, the A35 provides everything they need in a smartphone at a fraction of the cost.
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