Samsung Galaxy A35 5G Review: A Good Value in the Galaxy Lineup
The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G is a strong value among midrange Android phones, with a vivid screen, a good camera, and long-term software support for a reasonable price.
The ever-expanding Galaxy universe
Samsung's Galaxy line continues to grow, from the affordable $199.99 Galaxy A15 5G to the high-end $1,299.99 Galaxy S24 Ultra. The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G falls in between at $399.99. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of its pricier counterparts, it offers a vibrant display, dependable cameras, long-term software support, and expandable storage. Plus, its elegant glass panels and waterproof build make it stand out from other phones in its price range.
SAMSUNG Galaxy A35 5G
A Series Cell Phone, 128GB Unlocked Android Smartphone, AMOLED Display, Advanced Triple Camera System, Expandable Storage, Rugged Design, Version 2024
Familiar yet sleek design
The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G features flat sides and rounded corners, similar to other Galaxy phones. It measures 6.37 by 3.07 by 0.32 inches (HWD) and weighs 7.37 ounces, making it slightly bigger and heavier than the $299.99 Galaxy A25 and the Google Pixel 7a. The phone's plastic frame is free of antenna lines, giving it a clean and sleek look. The volume rocker and power button are part of a raised area on the right side, known as the "Key Island," which feels sturdy and has a satisfying click. The phone also has an IP67 rating, making it dustproof and able to withstand being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes.
A big, bright display
The Galaxy A35 5G boasts a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,340 by 1,080 pixels and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. While it may struggle with glare under direct sunlight, it offers smooth animations and is easy to see indoors. The smaller Pixel 7a has a slightly higher resolution of 2,400 by 1,080 pixels, but a lower refresh rate of 90Hz.
Performance in line with its price
The Samsung Exynos 1380 SoC powers the Galaxy A35 5G, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. While it may not have as much RAM as some other midrange phones, regular tasks like browsing and using apps were smooth during testing. The phone also has a microSD slot that can support cards up to 1TB. On Geekbench 6, the Galaxy A35 scored 1,010 on the single-core test and 2,790 on the multi-core test, falling behind the Google Pixel 7a with its Tensor G2 chip. However, it still performed well on the PCMark Work 3.0 test and the GFXBench Aztec Ruins benchmark, and can handle less-intensive games without overheating.
Good battery life, but not the best
The Galaxy A35 has a 5,000mAh battery that supports wired charging at up to 25W. While it may not offer wireless charging or reverse wireless charging, it still managed to last 10 hours and 35 minutes during a streaming test. However, the Pixel 7a and the Galaxy A25 both outperformed it in this area. It also took about 1 hour and 34 minutes to fully charge the phone from 0% to 100% with a 25W charger.
Fast 5G, but not the fastest
The Galaxy A35 supports sub-6GHz 5G on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, but not the faster mmWave 5G. It also has Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC for mobile payments. While it may not have the fastest 5G speeds, it still managed to reach a peak download speed of 455Mbps on Verizon's 5G UW network in New York City. The Pixel 7a offers faster 5G and supports mmWave, but the Galaxy A35 still performed well on Wi-Fi and call quality.
Dependable camera performance
The Galaxy A35 boasts three rear cameras, including a 50MP main shooter with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 5MP macro camera. While it may not have the best camera performance compared to the Pixel
