Samsung Galaxy A35

The Galaxy A35 5G is the more affordable of the two phones Samsung launched at the top of its 2024 Galaxy A series, and it is the one that shows how far a mid-range Samsung had come: a glass back for the first time on this line, a 120Hz Super AMOLED screen, IP67 protection and a promise of four Android upgrades. This page is a review based on the published specifications and manufacturer information. It looks at what the phone offers, how it differs from its pricier sibling, and which trade-offs a buyer accepts in return for the lower price.

Where it sits in the lineup

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy A35 5G together with the Galaxy A55 5G on 11 March 2024. In its UK announcement Samsung said both phones would be available from 20 March through operators, retailers and its own online store, so that is the date listed here; sales dates differed by country, and Samsung India, for example, opened sales on 18 March. Samsung's pages that we read do not show a US price for the A35, so none is given. Later models in the series include the Galaxy A56 and the Galaxy A57. Its direct sibling from 2024 is the Galaxy A55, which costs more and brings a faster chip, a better selfie camera and a metal frame. If you are weighing it against a cheaper current model, the page Galaxy A35 vs Galaxy A26 lists the numbers side by side.

Design and display

Samsung highlights the A35's glass back as a first for the series, together with a floating camera layout in which three separate lenses sit in a vertical line. The phone measures 161.7 x 78.0 x 8.2 mm and weighs 209 g, a little lighter and wider than the A55. Samsung's India listing names Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ for protection and an IP67 rating, which allows submersion in fresh water up to 1 metre for 30 minutes, though Samsung adds that this is not intended for beach or pool use. Colours named in Samsung's announcements are Awesome Iceblue, Awesome Lilac and Awesome Navy, with Awesome Lemon added in the UK; the colour range depends on the market.

The screen is a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED panel with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels (Full HD+). The maximum refresh rate is 120Hz and it is adaptive, so the phone can lower the rate to save power. Samsung also points to Vision Booster, which raises visibility in bright sunlight, and Eye Comfort Shield, a quick-panel option aimed at eye protection. A fingerprint sensor, referred to in the spec list, takes care of unlocking. Samsung's regional page does not give a peak brightness figure for the A35, so we do not quote one.

Performance and software

The A35 uses the Exynos 1380, which Samsung's India newsroom describes as built on a 5nm process, with an octa-core CPU at 2.4 GHz and 2 GHz. Samsung says the generation brings CPU, GPU and NPU upgrades and a cooling chamber that is more than 70 percent larger. In practice this is a chip for everyday use, social media, video and casual games, and it will be noticeably slower than the A55's Exynos 1480 in demanding work. RAM is 6GB or 8GB, depending on the version, and storage is 128GB or 256GB, with a hybrid card slot that accepts a microSD card of up to 1 TB in place of a second SIM.

The phone launched with Android 14 and One UI 6.1. Samsung promises up to four generations of Android and One UI upgrades and five years of security updates, which was a strong commitment for a phone at this level in 2024. The announcement also introduced Samsung Knox Vault, a tamper-resistant hardware security area that is physically isolated from the main processor and protects items such as lock-screen credentials, and it was the first time that feature appeared on the Galaxy A series. Auto Blocker, a set of optional protections against unwanted app installs, and the Security and Privacy Dashboard are also part of the software package. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C 2.0 and dual-SIM support. There is no 3.5mm headphone socket, only a USB-C audio connection.

Camera

The rear setup combines a 50MP main camera (f/1.8, with optical image stabilisation and autofocus), an 8MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2) and a 5MP macro camera (f/2.4). The macro lens is the weakest link; at 5MP it adds little beyond a basic close-up mode. The ultra-wide at 8MP is also modest, and it is where the A35 trails the A55's 12MP unit. The front camera is 13MP with an f/2.2 aperture, and it lacks autofocus.

Video recording runs up to 4K at 30 frames per second, and slow motion is available at 240 fps in HD. Samsung also lists video digital image stabilisation alongside the optical stabilisation on the main camera, which should help keep handheld clips steady. Samsung claims its Nightography processing reduces noise in dark scenes by up to 50 percent; that is a manufacturer claim and results depend on conditions. The A55's low-light image processing is said to be more advanced, so night photography is one reason to look at the dearer model.

Battery and charging

The battery is 5,000 mAh typical, with a rated minimum capacity of 4,905 mAh. Samsung's regional listing quotes up to 23 hours of LTE internet use, 22 hours on Wi-Fi, 26 hours of video playback and 83 hours of audio playback, all measured in test conditions. Wired charging is 25W, branded Super Fast Charging, and the charger is sold separately. No wireless charging is listed. Samsung's UK announcement markets the battery as a two-day battery, but that is a claim based on its own usage profile, and a bright 120Hz screen will shorten it.

Choosing a configuration

Samsung lists three combinations for the A35: 6GB with 128GB, 8GB with 128GB and 8GB with 256GB. The 6GB model is the cheapest way in and is enough for everyday apps. Anyone who keeps many apps open or plans to hold the phone for years is better served by 8GB, and 256GB leaves room for photos and video without touching the card slot. That slot is a hybrid design, so it takes either a second SIM or a memory card, not both at once.

Who it is for

The A35 suits people who want a modern-looking phone with a bright AMOLED screen, strong water protection and several years of software support, without paying for the A55's extras. It is a sensible pick for a first smartphone, for family members, or for anyone who values update length and security over raw speed.

Compromises

• The Exynos 1380 is slower than the A55's chip for games and heavy multitasking.
• The 8MP ultra-wide and 5MP macro cameras are modest, and the 13MP front camera is the lower of the two siblings.
• 25W charging is slower than many rivals, and no charger is included.
• No wireless charging and no 3.5mm headphone socket.
• The card slot is shared with the second SIM.
• Charging, brightness and some features vary by market, and no US price was found on Samsung's pages.

In summary, the Galaxy A35 5G offers the core of the A55 experience, including the screen, the battery, IP67 and a long update promise, at a lower price, with a slower processor and simpler cameras as the cost.