ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Samsung’s Galaxy A35 5G is a well-rounded smartphone for $329 (presently $70 off).
- You will love the two-day battery life, wonderful display screen high quality, and 4 years of software program updates.
- The largest concern? Efficiency tends to fluctuate from day after day and might result in overheating.
I am shocked how a lot I take pleasure in utilizing the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G. The newest mid-range telephone in Samsung’s lineup is not essentially something particular — it appears like some other Galaxy phone from current years, and there are no flashy options. Nonetheless, the mission of mid-range telephones is to not make waves; it is to offer a steadiness between efficiency, high quality, and worth. This telephone achieves that steadiness properly.
Some would argue that this is not the most effective $400 telephone in the marketplace, nevertheless it’s definitely one in all them, and the display screen is the primary motive why.
The Galaxy A35 5G features a Samsung signature Tremendous AMOLED show, measuring 6.6 inches diagonally. The show has a Full HD+ decision, a 120Hz refresh price so all the things feels clean, and 1,000 nits of brightness, which makes it simple to see the display screen in direct daylight. Plus, it is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, which is a pleasant perk.
Among the best perks of the Galaxy A35 is the battery measurement. Clocking in at 5,000mAh, this factor can simply final two days on a full cost. Throughout my testing, I solely plugged within the telephone 3 times, and that was with reasonable use. Sadly, there are not any wi-fi charging capabilities, and the charging pace is capped at 25W, so it would take a while to get to 100%. Nonetheless, it is good having multi-day battery life on any smartphone, not to mention one which prices $400.
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One other factor I wasn’t anticipating to say after spending a while with the A35: the cameras aren’t that dangerous. The truth is, I would go so far as to say that at the least two of them are good, which is nearly inconceivable to say for most sub-$500 Android phones.
The primary 50MP digicam is completely able to taking some good photos. Colours aren’t overdone as a lot as on older Samsung telephones, whereas distinction and publicity stay typically on level. You’ll be able to inform that the A35 is okay with sustaining shadows, for higher or for worse, whereas photograph high quality typically takes a dip when the lights get low; it is not horrible by any means, however further grain and noise are onerous to keep away from except there is a ton of exterior or pure gentle within the body.
I will additionally give some credit score to the 13MP selfie digicam, which is completely fitted to selfies for Snapchat or your Instagram Tales. Sadly, the opposite cameras on the again of the gadget are disappointing. The 8MP could also be ultra-wide due to its 123-degree discipline of view, nevertheless it’s grainy and low-quality in virtually each lighting situation. In the meantime, the 5MP macro digicam is washed out, and it’s inconceivable to seize something usable — except you are in broad daylight.
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You’ll be able to’t purchase the Galaxy A35 5G anticipating Spielberg-quality movies, however at the least you could have the choice to shoot in 4K, albeit at 30 frames per second. As well as, I like Samsung’s digicam app, which is well-optimized and straightforward to navigate.
Another notable options embody the quick and dependable in-display fingerprint scanner, the IP67 certification for water and dirt resistance, the Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the again, and the microSD card slot, so you may develop your storage everytime you need.
The A35 stumbles, nonetheless, in efficiency. The telephone is not gradual, nevertheless it’s not all the time quick both. It is outfitted with an Exynos 1380 octa-core processor that is quick sufficient for on a regular basis use, however throughout my testing, the telephone would typically decelerate a lot that it will take a number of seconds to open an app or leap into multitasking.
The gadget would additionally typically get inexplicably sizzling throughout common use. For instance, in a single occasion, I used to be scrolling by means of an article with Spotify enjoying within the background, and the A35 turned sizzling sufficient that I needed to put it down.
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This can be a identified concern with Samsung’s Exynos chips, which have traditionally fallen behind Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors on efficiency and effectivity. Fortunately, you may rig the A35 with 6GB, 8GB, or 12GB of RAM, so you will not run out of reminiscence throughout utilization — simply do not push the telephone too onerous.
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G vs. Google Pixel 9
Google now provides the Pixel 9, which flaunts flagship specs at a comparatively higher-than-midrange worth of $799. Costing as a lot as $400 greater than the Samsung A35 5G, I would not pit the 2 collectively as direct opponents. Nonetheless, I would not be shocked if prospects think about paying for the newer (and definitively higher) telephone.
It is best to nonetheless purchase the Samsung telephone for those who’re on a price range and like the model’s customized pores and skin over Android. If you need a extra competent digicam telephone with seven years of working system upgrades (versus Samsung’s 5), then the Pixel 9 could also be definitely worth the splurge.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
It is onerous to discover a mid-range gadget that balances the smartphone expertise properly, however the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G does a reasonably good job. Whereas efficiency and digicam high quality fall behind in some areas, the remainder of the telephone is nice (particularly that attractive display screen) for the value.
After all, if you are going to purchase this telephone, you are in all probability additionally taking a look at telephones just like the Pixel 8a or the superb OnePlus 12R, which hover across the similar worth. The display screen high quality on both is not as good because the A35, and you will not get a two-day battery life. The cameras are comparable (apart from the Pixel 7a, which knocks the socks off the A35 and the 12R). All in all, I feel the A35 is an efficient pickup. It isn’t good, however for those who can stay with its quirks, I feel you may dig it.