Samsung Galaxy A35 & A55 Review

Samsung Galaxy A35 and A55 are part of Samsung’s popular A-series lineup, known for offering impressive features at a competitive price. Here’s a detailed review of both smartphones.

DESIGN

The Galaxy A35 and A55 smartphones are undoubtedly eye-catching and share a strikingly similar appearance. Both devices have a sleek, modern design with a glossy glass finish on the back. The phones are crafted from high-quality and durable materials that offer a premium feel when held in the hand. Because of the sharp edges on the sides, it is difficult to hold longer. Interestingly, the design of these phones bears a striking resemblance to the flagship Samsung Galaxy S24. The A35 has an aluminium finish that gives it a more classic and timeless look, while the A55 boasts a brushed metallic finish that adds a touch of luxury and refinement to its design.

Both phones are equipped with stunning 6.6-inch Super AMOLED displays for an immersive viewing experience that transports you to another world of colours. The high 120Hz refresh rate of the displays and the peak brightness of 1000 nits ensure smooth scrolling, and the phone can be used under direct sunlight without struggling to watch the content. The 1080 x 2340 pixel resolution of the displays ensures that everything on the screen looks razor-sharp and incredibly clear, so you won’t have to blink or strain your eyes to read text or view images.

PERFORMANCE

The Galaxy A35 is powered by the Samsung Exynos 1380 chipset and offers 5G connectivity. It performs well for everyday tasks, but it could be a powerhouse. Benchmarks suggest that it’s an average performer. On the other hand, the Galaxy A55 uses the Exynos 1480 chipset, which is a step up from the A35. The A55 has a maximum RAM storage of 12GB, while the A35 is limited to a maximum of 8GB. However, both devices can add up to 8GB of virtual RAM.

Both phones should handle browsing, social media, and streaming videos without issues. Lag or stuttering was not seen on any of these phones during regular day-to-day use. For gaming, both phones can handle casual games, but demanding titles might experience graphical limitations. Lower the settings on both the A35 and A55 for a smooth gaming experience. The A35 might exhibit some heating issues during extended gaming sessions or intensive tasks, while the A55 manages heat slightly better.

Regarding software, both phones benefit from Samsung’s commitment to software updates. They are eligible for four years of major Android OS upgrades and five years of security patches, ensuring a longer lifespan and access to the latest features. Samsung also has one of the cleanest UIs, called One UI, which is available on both the Galaxy A35 and A55. The UI has a clean and simple look and is easy to navigate, making it my favourite UI on Android devices. Apart from the UI, both phones come with Samsung’s exclusive services that enhance the overall functionality and security of the devices. The SmartThings app is one of the most noteworthy features that allow users to manage and control various smart devices in their homes, such as thermostats, lights, and other appliances. Another significant feature of these phones is the Knox security system, which encrypts and secures all data on the devices, making it almost impossible for unauthorized users to access sensitive information. This feature is especially important for individuals who regularly store personal and confidential data on their phones.

Additionally, the wallet app is an excellent feature for users with multiple credit cards as it can store most of them, including UPI. This feature makes it easy to tap and pay at point-of-sale (PoS) terminals without having to carry around multiple cards. The wallet app also offers an added layer of security by requiring a password or biometric authentication before any payment can be made.

The Galaxy A35 and A55 have 5,000mAh batteries, providing the potential for all-day use on a single charge. Light to moderate users can stretch the battery to two days. However, heavy users with constant gaming or streaming might need to top up before the end of the day. Both phones support 25W fast charging, but the charger isn’t included in the box. This adds an extra cost if you still need a compatible charger.

We conducted a thorough stress test to compare the battery performance of Galaxy A35 and A55 while streaming 4K content. After rigorous testing, we found that both phones exhibited similar results. Even after continuous streaming of 4K content for more than 30 minutes, the battery consumption was only 10%. This means that you can watch an entire movie without worrying about running out of battery on either device.

CAMERA

The Camera setup of the A35 and A55 is similar; both have three cameras. While the primary camera sensor of both devices is a 50-megapixel sensor with Optical Image Stabilization(OIS), the A55 has a bigger 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor compared to an 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor on the A35. The third lens is a macro lens; both have a 5-megapixel sensor.

Taking pictures on both devices in bright daylight gives excellent photos. We took multiple apps on both phones, and the quality and clarity of the pictures look similar. The A35’s processing keeps things natural, while the A55 might offer slightly punchier colours. In low-light situations, both phones struggle with noise, providing grainy images. Switching to Night mode can help brighten things up but at the cost of some detail. 

Neither phone boasts a dedicated telephoto lens, so zooming in reduces quality. The A55’s 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor has the potential for more detail and a wider field of view than the A35’s 8-megapixel sensor. Regardless of using the ultrawide sensor, both devices took average wide-angle shots. It struggles in low light, but both devices take decent pictures of inadequate lighting. Both phones have the same 5-megapixel macro sensor, suitable for capturing close-up details of flowers, insects, or tiny objects. 

The A35 has a 13-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies, while the A55 has a 32-megapixel higher-resolution sensor. Regardless, both should capture decent selfies in good lighting. 

In video recording, both phones offer 4K video recording at 30fps on the rear camera. Both have similar sensors, so both take nearly identical quality videos. However, recording at 4K 30fps, the Galaxy A35 doesn’t offer wide-angle recording, while the Galaxy A35 does show ultra-wide and zoom buttons on the Galaxy A55. The front-facing camera on both can record in 4K as well.

VERDICT

The mid-range smartphone market has many players, and Samsung’s latest offerings, the Galaxy A35 and A55, have entered the market with a range of impressive features at an affordable price. While the devices have a price difference of approximately ₹12000, they both offer a capable camera system, long-lasting battery, and smooth performance for everyday tasks. Although there are some differences in the processor, selfie and ultrawide camera sensor, both models offer excellent value for money in the mid-range segment.