Introduction
Samsung has long been a dominant player in the smartphone market, offering a wide range of devices catering to different budgets and user needs. The Samsung Galaxy A35 is one of the latest additions to the company’s mid-range A-series lineup, designed to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag.
With a focus on performance, camera capabilities, and battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A35 aims to be a strong contender in the competitive mid-range segment. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at its design, display, performance, camera, battery life, and software to help you decide if this phone is the right choice for you.
Design & Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy A35 follows Samsung’s modern design language, featuring a sleek and minimalist look. It has a glass front and a plastic back with a glossy finish that mimics glass, giving it a premium feel. The frame is made of plastic but is sturdy enough to withstand daily wear and tear.
Key Design Features:
- Dimensions & Weight: The phone measures around 158 x 76 x 8.2 mm and weighs approximately 209 grams, making it comfortable to hold.
- IP67 Rating: Unlike many mid-range phones, the A35 comes with an IP67 dust and water resistance rating, meaning it can survive accidental spills and brief submersion in water.
- Color Options: Samsung offers the A35 in multiple attractive colors, including Awesome Iceblue, Awesome Lilac, Awesome Navy, and Awesome Orange.
- In-Display Fingerprint Sensor: The phone features an optical under-display fingerprint scanner for secure and quick unlocking.
While it doesn’t have the premium metal-and-glass construction of flagship models, the A35 still feels solid and well-built for its price range.
Display: Smooth & Vibrant
The Samsung Galaxy A35 boasts a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels).
This ensures sharp and vibrant visuals, making it great for media consumption, gaming, and browsing.
Display Highlights:
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: The high refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother, enhancing the overall user experience.
- Brightness & Outdoor Visibility: With a peak brightness of 1000 nits, the screen remains visible even under direct sunlight.
- Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+: Offers better protection against scratches and minor drops compared to older Gorilla Glass versions.
Whether you’re watching videos, playing games, or just scrolling through social media, the A35’s display delivers an immersive experience.
Performance & Hardware
Under the hood, the samsung Galaxy A35 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1380 chipset, built on a 5nm process for improved efficiency and performance. It is paired with 8GB of RAM and comes with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card (up to 1TB).
Performance Breakdown:
- CPU & GPU: The Octa-core Exynos 1380 (4x Cortex-A78 + 4x Cortex-A55) ensures smooth multitasking, while the Mali-G68 MP5 GPU handles gaming decently.
- Gaming Performance: The phone can run popular games like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Genshin Impact at medium to high settings without major lag.
- Thermal Management: Samsung’s cooling system helps prevent overheating during extended gaming sessions.
While it may not match flagship-level performance, the A35 delivers a reliable and lag-free experience for everyday tasks and moderate gaming.
Camera System: Versatile & Capable
The Samsung Galaxy A35 features a triple-camera setup, offering versatility for different photography scenarios.
Camera Specifications:
- Main Camera: 50MP (f/1.8, OIS) – Captures detailed and sharp images even in low light.
- Ultra-Wide Camera: 8MP (f/2.2, 123° FOV) – Great for landscape and group shots.
- Macro Camera: 5MP (f/2.4) – Allows for close-up shots with decent detail.
- Front Camera: 13MP (f/2.2) – Good for selfies and video calls.
Camera Performance:
- Daylight Photography: The 50MP main sensor produces vibrant and well-exposed shots with accurate colors.
- Low-Light Performance: Thanks to OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and Night Mode, low-light photos come out brighter with reduced noise.
- Video Recording: The phone supports 4K@30fps video recording with EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) for smoother footage.
While the ultra-wide and macro cameras are not as strong as the primary sensor, they still add flexibility to the camera system.
Battery Life & Charging
The Galaxy A35 packs a 5,000mAh battery, which is becoming standard in mid-range smartphones.
Battery Performance:
- Screen-on Time: Easily lasts 6-7 hours with mixed usage (social media, browsing, videos, and gaming).
- Standby Time: Can last 1.5 to 2 days with light usage.
- Charging Speed: Supports 25W fast charging, but no charger is included in the box (only a USB-C cable). A full charge takes about 90 minutes.
While the charging speed isn’t the fastest, the large battery ensures all-day endurance for most users.
Software & Features
The samsung Galaxy A35 runs on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6, offering a clean and user-friendly interface.
Software Highlights:
- Long Software Support: Samsung promises 4 years of major Android updates and 5 years of security patches, ensuring longevity.
- One UI Features:
- Dark Mode for better battery efficiency.
- Edge Panels for quick app access.
- Secure Folder for private files.
- Bloatware: Some pre-installed Samsung apps can be uninstalled, but a few remain.
One UI is one of the most polished Android skins, offering a smooth and customizable experience.
Connectivity & Extras
The samsung Galaxy A35 includes all the essential connectivity options:
- 5G Support for future-proof network speeds.
- Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC (for contactless payments).
- Dual SIM + microSD slot (hybrid).
- Stereo speakers (improved over the A34) for better audio.
- No 3.5mm headphone jack (a downside for wired audio users).
Pros & Cons
Pros:
✅ Excellent Super AMOLED 120Hz display
✅ IP67 water & dust resistance (rare in mid-range)
✅ Long battery life (5000mAh)
✅ Good performance (Exynos 1380)
✅ 4 years of OS updates
Cons:
❌ No charger in the box
❌ Plastic frame & back (feels less premium)
❌ Macro & ultra-wide cameras are average
❌ No wireless charging
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy It?
The Samsung Galaxy A35 is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that excels in display quality, battery life, and software support. It’s ideal for:
- Students & budget-conscious buyers who want a reliable phone.
- Media consumers who love a vibrant AMOLED screen.
- Long-term users who value software updates.
If you’re looking for a balanced mid-range phone with Samsung’s reliability, the Samsung Galaxy A35 is a great choice. However, if you need faster charging or flagship-level cameras, you might want to consider alternatives like the Google Pixel 7a or OnePlus Nord 3.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy A35 delivers great value with its stunning display, solid performance, and long-term software support. While it has some compromises (plastic build, no charger), it remains one of the best mid-range options in 2024.