Samsung's latest mid-range offering, the Galaxy A35 5G, brings some welcome upgrades to the budget-friendly A series, but faces stiff competition in an increasingly crowded market segment.
Key Features and Improvements
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Display: The 6.6-inch Super AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate is a standout feature, offering smooth scrolling and vibrant colors. With HDR support and 1,000 nits of peak brightness, it outperforms many competitors in this price range.
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Build Quality: Upgraded to Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on both front and back, with an IP67 water and dust resistance rating. This marks a significant durability improvement over its plastic-backed siblings.
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Camera System: While the 50MP main sensor isn't a major leap from cheaper A-series models, the larger sensor size does offer slightly improved low-light performance. The 8MP ultrawide camera is surprisingly capable for a budget device.
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Software: One UI 6.1 based on Android 14 out of the box, with Samsung's excellent commitment to four years of OS updates and five years of security patches.
Performance and Battery Life
The Exynos 1380 chipset provides adequate performance for everyday tasks and light gaming, though it may struggle with more demanding titles. In benchmarks, it competes well against similarly priced devices in CPU tests but lags in GPU performance.
Battery life is a strong point, with the 5,000mAh cell easily lasting a day and a half of mixed usage. 25W wired charging, while not the fastest, is consistent with other Samsung budget offerings.
Compromises and Competition
- No wireless charging
- Dedicated macro camera of questionable utility
- Struggles with zoom photography beyond 2x
- Lacks the AI features found in Samsung's flagship devices
At its $400 price point, the Galaxy A35 5G faces tough competition from devices like the Google Pixel 8a and Nothing Phone 2a, which may offer better performance or unique features.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G is a solid mid-range option that excels in display quality, build materials, and software support. While it may not be revolutionary, it offers a well-rounded package for those invested in the Samsung ecosystem or prioritizing long-term software updates. However, shoppers should carefully consider their priorities, as competitors may offer better value in specific areas like camera performance or processing power.