Samsung Galaxy A35 review

Samsung Galaxy A35 offers a stunning display, solid gaming performance, and customizable software at an affordable price.

Riya Singh October 15, 2024

0 31 5 minutes read

Samsung Galaxy A35 is budget-friendly phone for those who want good tech without paying high prices of flagship models like Galaxy S24. While it doesn’t offer top-tier specs, it still delivers solid experience.

A35 has a vibrant and bright display, perfect for streaming Netflix or Disney Plus. It runs Samsung’s OneUI, offering customization options, though it comes with some pre-installed apps you might not need. Phone’s processor handles gaming and tasks surprisingly well but cameras fall short especially in low-light or ultra-wide shots.

There are some drawbacks, like slow charging and a poor fingerprint sensor but for the price, it’s a good value. If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable Samsung phone, Galaxy A35 won’t disappoint.

Samsung Galaxy A35 Specification

Feature	Details
📶 Network	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
📏 Body	Size: 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm Weight: 209 g Build: Glass front, plastic frame, glass back SIM: Nano-SIM, eSIM or Hybrid Water-resistant: IP67 (up to 1m for 30 min)
📺 Display	Type: Super AMOLED, 120Hz Size: 6.6 inches Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus+
📱 Platform	OS: Android 14, One UI 6.1 Chipset: Exynos 1380 CPU: Octa-core
💾 Memory	Storage: 128GB (6GB/8GB RAM), 256GB (6GB/8GB/12GB RAM) microSD support
📷 Main Camera	Triple: 50 MP (wide), 8 MP (ultrawide), 5 MP (macro) Video: 4K@30fps
🤳 Selfie Camera	13 MP (wide) Video: 4K@30fps
🔊 Sound	Stereo speakers No 3.5mm jack
🌐 Comms	Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, NFC (depends on region), USB Type-C
🛡️ Sensors	Fingerprint (under display), accelerometer
🔋 Battery	5000 mAh Charging: 25W wired
🎨 Colors	Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon
📈 Performance	AnTuTu: 522829, GeekBench: 2740

Samsung Galaxy A35 Price and Availability

Samsung Galaxy A35 was announced in March 2024 and quickly made its debut as part of Samsung’s budget-friendly smartphone lineup for the year. You can find it available for purchase in the US, UK, Australia, and other regions.

A35 is priced at $399.99 in the US, £339.99 in the UK and AU$549.99 in Australia. It comes in a single variant with 128GB of storage but you can choose from a few different color options to add a personal touch.

At this price point, Galaxy A35 serves as a solid alternative to the more expensive Samsung Galaxy S24, which costs $799 in the US, £799 in the UK and AU$1,399 in Australia. While A35 may not have all premium features of its pricier counterpart, it does borrow some specs and features from higher-end models, making it a great deal for budget-conscious buyers.

Although Galaxy A35 is not Samsung’s most affordable option devices in A0X, A1X and A2X series are typically cheaper it offers better balance of features and performance compared to those lower-end models. Most of those entry-level devices have specifications that are not very competitive, making A35 a more worthwhile investment. Exception here might be Samsung Galaxy A25 which offers some decent features for its price.

Samsung Galaxy A35 Design

Samsung Galaxy A35 has a classic smartphone design. It looks like a typical rectangular Android phone with a large body and flat edges.

Weighing 209 grams, Galaxy A35 is average in weight and measures 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm. While it’s a bit heavier than some models, it’s not as large as Samsung’s top-tier Ultra phones, although it is noticeably bigger than Galaxy S24.

Phone features a glass front and back, giving it a more premium feel compared to other mid-range devices. It comes in several color options that vary by region:

US: Navy and lilac
Australia: Navy and pale blue
UK: Navy, pale blue, and pale yellow

These color choices are more muted compared to some of Samsung’s brighter past options.

Unlike some cheaper models in A-series, Galaxy A35 does not have 3.5mm headphone jack. Instead, it has USB-C port located at the bottom of phone. Volume buttons and power button are on right side, which might be hard to reach for those with smaller hands.

Phone uses an under-display fingerprint sensor but it can be hit or miss. Often, it struggles to recognize your finger, leading to more password entries than you might want.

Galaxy A35 has an IP67 rating, meaning it’s protected from dust and can survive being submerged in water up to 1 meter for a limited time. While you shouldn’t take it swimming, it should hold up if it accidentally falls into a drink.

Samsung Galaxy A35 Display

Samsung Galaxy A35 stands out with its impressive display, making it easy to forget that it’s a budget phone.

It features a large 6.6-inch screen which is bigger than many other Galaxy A-series models and even the Galaxy S24. Resolution is 1080 x 2340, offering sharp visuals and 19.5:9 aspect ratio provides a great viewing experience.

Super AMOLED panel delivers vibrant colors and deep contrasts, making streaming and gaming enjoyable. With a peak brightness of 1000 nits, display remains bright and clear even in bright environments.

Phone also has a 120Hz refresh rate which ensures smooth scrolling and enhances the overall user experience. This feature is rare for budget phones, making A35 stand out especially when compared to more expensive models like iPhone 15 which doesn’t have this high refresh rate.

Samsung Galaxy A35 Software

Samsung Galaxy A35 runs Android 14 with One UI 6.1 on top, similar to Samsung’s more premium Galaxy S24 series.

Samsung has promised four years of OS updates, so you’ll receive new versions up to Android 18, along with five years of security updates.

One UI is known for its colorful and user-friendly design, with pebble-shaped icons and simple menus. However, the phone comes with a lot of pre-installed apps, including Samsung, Google, and third-party apps, which can feel overwhelming.

Customization is a strong point of One UI. You can change wallpapers, set up widgets, and choose a system-wide color theme. It also has Modes and Routines, allowing you to easily switch settings for different activities like driving or working out. Setting these up takes a bit of time but can be useful.

Samsung Galaxy A35 Cameras

Samsung Galaxy A35 has a 50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide and 5MP macro camera with 13MP front camera for selfies.

Main camera takes colorful, sharp photos in good light, ideal for social media. However, wide shots lose detail, and low-light photos aren’t great. Ultra-wide camera feels dull while macro camera is useful for close-ups but not frequently needed.

Selfies are bright and clear and Portrait mode adds a nice blur to the background. Video can be recorded in 4K at 30fps or 1080p at 60fps.

Great for casual shots but struggles in low light or wide angles.

Samsung Galaxy A35 Performance and Audio

Exynos 1380 chipset powers the Galaxy A35 offering solid performance for everyday tasks. It handles games like Call of Duty Mobile without much lag, though it can warm up. It has 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, with no expandable memory, so you may need cloud storage.

There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, but you can use Bluetooth or USB-C adapter. Speakers are okay for games but headphones are better for music.

Samsung Galaxy A35 Battery Life

5,000mAh battery lasts a full day, sometimes more. 25W charging is slow, taking over two hours. No wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy A35 Pros and Cons

Pros 🟢	Cons 🔴
✅ Nice display	🐢 Slow charging
⚡ Strong performance	📸 Average cameras
🛠️ Useful features	👆 Fingerprint issues

Conclusion

Samsung Galaxy A35 offers a great display, strong gaming performance, and customizable software for its price. While it shows its mid-range limits, it’s still a solid, affordable alternative to Galaxy S24.