Samsung Galaxy A35 5G Review

Samsung’s A Series offers high-performing technology at an affordable price point, offering many of the key features that encompass the flagship Galaxy S range minus the premium bells and whistles.
The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G provides an array of features and improvements over its predecessors. In this review we’ll be detailing everything you can expect, from design, performance and more.
The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G can be ordered in a range of colours and storage sizes, including 128GB and 256GB.
Release date
Release date: 20th March 2024
Specs
• Dimensions: 161.6 x 77.9 x 8.2 mm
• Weight: 209g
• Display: 6.6”; FHD+ Super AMOLED
• Resolution: 1080 x 2340
• Refresh Rate: 120Hz
• CPU: Exynos 1380
• RAM: 6-8GB
• Storage: 128GB / 256GB
• OS: Android 14
• Rear Cameras: 50MP main; 8MP ultra-wide; 5MP macro
• Front Camera: 13MP
• Battery: 5,000 mAh
• Charging: 25W wired
• Material: Plastic frame; Gorilla Glass Victus Plus screen
• Water and dust resistance: IP67
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3; 5G
Design
Whilst previous handsets in the A Series have featured a plastic back, helping achieve a budget-friendly price tag, Samsung opted for a luxurious and improved design with the Galaxy A35 5G.
The handset sports a glass back and plastic frame, offering a more premium-looking experience without sacrificing affordability. Another key design change is on the front screen, which has been upgraded from Corning Gorilla Glass 5 to Gorilla Glass Victus Plus. This update is noteworthy, as it gives the A35 5G a stronger shield against scratches; useful if you’re buying a handset for someone younger or you’re prone to dropping it yourself.
For an additional boost in protection, the Galaxy A35 5G also boasts IP67 dust and water resistance, the same as its predecessor. No significant change in this case, but it ensures you’re getting a phone with impressive durability.
Tying it together, the rear camera keeps its linear design, creating a cohesive feel across the handset. It's available in four vibrant colours: Awesome Ice Blue, Awesome Lemon, Awesome Navy and Awesome Lilac.
Display
The Galaxy A35 5G exhibits an impressive display, consisting of a 6.6” Super AMOLED screen and a smooth refresh rate of 120Hz. If you want colour levels with a bit more vibrancy, the A35’s slightly more premium sibling handset – the Galaxy A55 5G – includes HDR10+; otherwise, you’re getting the exact same sublime display across both devices. The A35 5G also arrives with Vision Booster technology, enhancing the quality of the screen in bright or low-light conditions.
Speaking of low-light, the display is exceptionally easy to see thanks to the 1000 nit count. Colours are boosted too as a result, serving up one of the finest mid-range displays on the market.
In terms of resolution, the display comes in at 1080p x 2340p. If you’re looking for an affordable way to experience silky-smooth HD videos and games, the this handset should be near the top of your list.
Performance
One of the most significant changes on the A35 5G is the upgrade in processor. Samsung have moved to the Exynos 1380 chipset here, and whilst this processor doesn’t quite compare to those in more premium handsets, it’s a faster offering than the A34 and is more than capable of powering a smartphone of this calibre.
This increase in performance is delivered largely by the Exynos 1380’s 5nm (nanometre) transistor setup. The smaller the transistor, the higher the total number that can be included on a chip; shifting from the 6nm Dimensity 1080 means you’re getting a processor that is fast and efficient.
Software & features
The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G arrives out of the box with Android 14 pre-installed; the same OS version that can be found on premium Samsung handsets such as the Galaxy S24. Alongside the One UI 6.1 interface, we came away impressed by how feature-packed the handset is.
A significant addition when it comes to security is Samsung Knox Vault. This feature is designed to protect sensitive information on a user's phone, and is isolated from the main system to maximise safety. Being EAL5+ (Evaluation Assurance Level) certified, Knox Vault gives the A35 5G an exceptionally high level of data security.
This impressive focus on security is further supported by up to 5 years of updates from launch, and for the avid photographers or gamers out there, the device also supports expandable storage up to 1TB; a vital feature when travelling and wanting to store as many photos as possible.
Cameras
On the topic of photography, the Galaxy A35 5G had a noticeable upgrade to its camera array. The main camera has been boosted to 50MP, whilst the ultra-wide and macro lenses are 8MP and 5MP respectively. Although it’s not quite up there with the premium Samsung camera phones on the market, the phone still takes sharp and vibrant images, and the 13MP front camera allows for high-quality selfies.
One of the standout elements within the photography suite is its nighttime tech. This comes equipped with an improved NPU (neural processing unit) and an enhanced sensor, enabling it to capture clearer and more detailed photos at night, as well as Super HDR when shooting videos.
For those wanting to take photos on-the-go, the Galaxy A35 5G really sets itself as one of the top mid-range camera options.
Battery
Despite being a mid-range handset, the Galaxy A35 5G doesn’t sacrifice on battery quality. It boasts a capacity of 5,000mAh, which can last up to two days of standard usage before needing a recharge. For capacity alone it outperforms some of the premium handsets on the market like the Galaxy S24, and allows for several hours of texts, calls and more.
On the charging side of things, the handset also has 25W super-fast charging, so you can stay powered up throughout the day. There’s no wireless charging here, but this omission is offset by the higher overall battery capacity.
If you’re looking for a sleek and stylish smartphone that offers quality performance without a significant price tag, the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G fits the bill. It retains much of what defines the S Series, albeit wrapped in an affordable package that will suit those that don’t need the top-tier features of a flagship smartphone.
When picking up a new Android phone, your old data might need to come across, too. We’ve put together a handy expert guide that will help you migrate your data with ease.
Why not also check out our Samsung Galaxy A55 Review.