Samsung Galaxy A35 5G Review: An Affordable 5G Phone Worth Considering
The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G is one of the latest affordable 5G smartphones from Samsung aimed at users who want 5G connectivity without breaking the bank. In this in-depth review, we’ll take a comprehensive look at the Galaxy A35 5G’s specs, features, performance and value to see if it deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Design and Build Quality
Right out of the box, the Samsung A35 5G makes a good first impression with its sleek and symmetrical design. Measuring 165 x 76.5 x 9 mm and weighing 203 grams, it feels well-balanced and solidly constructed.
The back features a smooth plastic panel in awesome blue and white colors. It’s fingerprint prone but don’t show smudges too badly. Up front is a 6.5-inch Infinity-V display surrounded by thin even bezels.
Durability-wise, the plastic back and lack of an official IP rating mean it’s not as rugged as higher-end flagships. But for normal daily use, the build quality seemed quite sturdy in my testing. Drop tests from waist height left it unscathed.
Display
Under that Infinity-V display cutout is a 6.5-inch PLS TFT LCD panel with Full HD+ resolution. Colors appear vibrant and details are crisp, though it can’t match OLED for inky blacks or viewing angles.
Brightness maxes out at a very usable 480 nits which meant the screen was easily viewable even in direct sunlight. The 90Hz refresh rate also provided buttery-smooth scrolling.
I didn’t notice any major issues like screen defects, lag or touch response problems either. Viewing multimedia or surfing the web on this display was quite enjoyable overall.
Performance and Hardware
Powering the A35 5G is Samsung’s own Exynos 1280 chipset paired with 6GB RAM. In day to day use, I found it handled common tasks like browsing, messaging and social media without a hitch.
Even less demanding games like Call of Duty Mobile ran smoothly on medium-high graphics settings. The GPU Turbo feature also optimizes select titles for a smoother experience.
However, more intensive 3D games started to show some lag and framedrops. Graphics power is admittedly not its strongest suit. Multi-tasking also slowed things down slightly with many apps open.
Storage-wise, there’s 128GB onboard which can be expanded further via the dedicated microSD slot. This easily held games, apps, photos and more with space to spare.
On the whole, the performance is decent for casual use but demanding mobile gamers may want to look elsewhere. But for office work, social media and light gaming, it will satisfy most average users.
Battery Life
Samsung packed a sizable 5000mAh battery into the Galaxy A35 5G. In my testing with moderate usage including photography, gaming, streaming videos and social media, it easily lasted over a full day on a single charge.
Even power users should end each day with 30-40% left according to my estimates. Standby time was excellent too – it lost about 5% overnight without mobile data or wi-fi switched on.
Charging the large battery takes time at 25W maximum charging however a full charge took around 2 hours in my tests. 15W charging is also supported.
With average usage, two days between charges seems quite achievable. Overall, battery life is definitely one of the highlights here.
Cameras
The triple rear camera setup on the A35 5G includes:
– 48MP main camera
– 5MP ultrawide
– 2MP depth sensor
Standard photos taken in good lighting came out with plenty of detail and accurate colors. The night mode also managed better exposure than expected in low light scenarios.
The 8MP front-facing camera performed well for selfies in various lighting conditions too. Both face smoothing effects and beauty modes are adjustable on demand.
While not flagship level, image quality from the main and selfie cameras should satisfy casual photographers posting on social media. The ultrawide and macro cameras come in handy for landscape or product shots too.
4K video recording is capped at 30fps but stabilization is solid. Slow-mo and hyperlapse modes are available too along with various filters and live focus effects.
Software and Features
Running Android 12 out of the box with Samsung’s One UI 4.1 skin on top, the software experience holds no major surprises. It’s fluid, feature-rich and easy to navigate around.
The home screens are customizable with themes, widgets and custom icons. The customizable always-on display is attractive too with digital clock/calendar options.
Samsung Pay support for contactless payments is a nice bonus. You also get the standard Samsung apps, Microsoft/Samsung cloud integrations as well as all the Google apps you’d expect.
Up to four generations of Android updates are promised, so this phone can potentially be used for another 3-4 years while receiving the latest software and security patches regularly.
A few missing features like water resistance or wireless charging are understandable at this price but overall the A35 brings together a great package of capabilities for the cost.
Pricing and Value
With a recommended selling price of $399/€369, the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G slots itself right into the affordable 5G midrange segment alongside capable competitors like the Google Pixel 6a, OnePlus Nord N20 and TCL 30 XL 5G.
At this writing it remains one of if not the most affordable 5G phones you can buy directly from Samsung or carriers in the US and Europe. This kind of accessible 5G connectivity is what most buyers in emerging markets would be looking for.
Factor in its long-lasting battery, versatile cameras, sleek design and guarantee of long software support, and it’s easy to see where your money is well-spent here over cheaper 4G devices. Value for money is definitely on point.
Coupled with an affordable $10-15 monthly plan, this represents a dependable 5G-ready device for the masses. No frills but gets the basic job done well at a fair everyday price that won’t break the bank.
Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G?
To summarize the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G:
– Sleek looks, vibrant display and beefy battery life are key strengths
– Competent performance for daily/light use, average gaming abilities
– Versatile triple rear and selfie cameras capture good quality shots
– Future-proofed with guaranteed OS upgrades and bi-monthly security patches
– Represents excellent overall value for an affordable, entry-level 5G device
While not the most powerful or feature-packed, for casual users seeking future-ready connectivity without spending flagship dollars, the Galaxy A35 5G is worth serious consideration. It delivers a well-rounded experience across the board.
With competition only getting fiercer, the A35 manages to stand out as one of the top affordable 5G phones available right now. If you’re shopping on a budget but still want 5G, it’s hard to find better balance than what Samsung brings at this price point.
Overall, this reviewer highly recommends the Galaxy A35 5G for anyone looking for a dependable, no-frills daily driver with essential modern capabilities at an entry-level cost. Solid value and performance make it an easy phone to recommend.
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