Forget the flagship – this midrange Galaxy checks all the right boxes at less than $200

Samsung Galaxy A35 5G Review: A Midrange Marvel with a Gorgeous Screen and Two-Day Battery Life

In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, finding the perfect balance between performance, quality, and price can be a daunting task. Enter the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G, a midrange device that aims to deliver a well-rounded experience without breaking the bank. At first glance, the A35 might not seem particularly special – it sports a familiar design reminiscent of other recent Galaxy phones and lacks any flashy features that would make it stand out in a crowded market. However, as we delve deeper into this device, we’ll discover that it manages to strike an impressive balance that many users will appreciate.

ZDNET’s Key Takeaways:

• The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G is a well-rounded smartphone currently on sale for $198
• It boasts an impressive two-day battery life, an amazing screen quality, and four years of software updates
• The biggest drawback is inconsistent performance, which can sometimes lead to overheating

A Display That Wows:
One of the standout features of the Galaxy A35 5G is undoubtedly its screen. Samsung has equipped this device with its signature Super AMOLED display, measuring 6.6 inches diagonally. This panel offers a Full HD+ resolution, ensuring crisp and clear visuals for all your content consumption needs. But what really sets this display apart is its 120Hz refresh rate, which provides incredibly smooth motion and responsiveness. Whether you’re scrolling through social media, playing games, or watching videos, the fluidity of this display is sure to impress.

The screen’s brightness is another area where the A35 shines. With a peak brightness of 1,000 nits, this phone remains easily visible even in direct sunlight – a feature that’s often overlooked but crucial for real-world usability. To top it all off, Samsung has protected this gorgeous display with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, providing an extra layer of durability against scratches and accidental drops.

Battery Life That Keeps Going:
In today’s fast-paced world, battery life is a crucial factor for many smartphone users. The Galaxy A35 5G doesn’t disappoint in this department. With its substantial 5,000mAh battery, this phone can easily last two full days on a single charge with moderate use. During our testing period, we found ourselves reaching for the charger only three times over several days of regular use – a testament to the device’s impressive endurance.

It’s worth noting that while the battery life is exceptional, the charging capabilities are somewhat limited. The A35 lacks wireless charging support, which might be a dealbreaker for some users. Additionally, the wired charging is capped at 25W, meaning it might take a bit longer to reach a full charge compared to some of its competitors. However, for many users, the trade-off of multi-day battery life for slightly slower charging will be well worth it.

Camera Performance: A Mixed Bag:
When it comes to smartphone cameras, the Galaxy A35 5G presents a bit of a mixed bag. On the positive side, the main 50MP camera is surprisingly capable for a device in this price range. During our testing, we found that it could capture some really nice shots with accurate colors, good contrast, and generally on-point exposure. Samsung seems to have dialed back the oversaturation that plagued some of its older models, resulting in more natural-looking photos.

The 13MP selfie camera also deserves praise, particularly for those who love sharing on social media platforms like Snapchat or Instagram. It’s well-suited for quick snaps and stories, delivering clear and detailed self-portraits.

However, the other cameras on the back of the device leave something to be desired. The 8MP ultra-wide camera, despite its 123-degree field of view, tends to produce grainy and low-quality images in most lighting conditions. The 5MP macro camera is even more disappointing, often resulting in washed-out photos that are nearly unusable unless you’re shooting in broad daylight.

Video capabilities are also somewhat limited, with 4K recording available but capped at 30 frames per second. While this might be sufficient for casual users, those looking to create high-quality video content might find themselves wanting more.

Performance: A Double-Edged Sword:
Where the Galaxy A35 5G stumbles a bit is in its performance. Powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1380 octa-core processor, the phone is generally capable of handling everyday tasks with ease. However, during our testing, we encountered some inconsistencies that might frustrate power users or those accustomed to flagship-level performance.

At times, the phone would slow down significantly, taking several seconds to open apps or switch between tasks. This inconsistency in performance can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to multitask or use more demanding applications. Additionally, we experienced some unexpected overheating issues during regular use. For instance, during a routine activity of scrolling through an article while listening to music on Spotify, the device became uncomfortably hot, forcing us to put it down.

These performance issues are not entirely surprising, given Samsung’s history with Exynos chips. Historically, these processors have lagged behind Qualcomm’s Snapdragon counterparts in terms of both performance and efficiency. However, it’s worth noting that the A35 does offer options for 6GB, 8GB, or 12GB of RAM, which helps mitigate some of the performance issues by ensuring you won’t run out of memory during regular use.

Additional Features and Final Thoughts:
Despite its performance shortcomings, the Galaxy A35 5G does offer some notable features that add to its appeal. These include a fast and reliable in-display fingerprint scanner, IP67 water and dust resistance, Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on the back of the device, and a microSD card slot for expandable storage.

In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G manages to deliver a well-rounded smartphone experience at a very attractive price point. While it may not excel in every category, it offers a compelling package with its stunning display, impressive battery life, and capable main camera. The performance issues and limitations of the secondary cameras are certainly drawbacks, but for many users, the overall value proposition of this device will be hard to ignore.

At its current sale price of under $200, the Galaxy A35 5G represents an excellent option for budget-conscious consumers who prioritize screen quality and battery life over top-tier performance. It’s a device that proves you don’t always need to spend flagship-level money to get a satisfying smartphone experience.

Tags and Viral Phrases:

• “Game-changer in the midrange market”
• “Two-day battery life that’ll blow your mind”
• “Stunning display that rivals flagship phones”
• “Performance hiccups that might make you think twice”
• “Camera setup: Great main shooter, disappointing ultrawide and macro”
• “Samsung’s Exynos processor: Love it or hate it?”
• “Is this the best budget phone of 2024?”
• “Unbeatable value for under $200”
• “The midrange phone that’s got everyone talking”
• “Samsung’s secret weapon in the budget smartphone wars”
• “A display so good, you’ll forget it’s not a flagship”
• “Battery life that keeps going and going”
• “Performance issues: The elephant in the room”
• “A camera system that’s half great, half disappointing”
• “The phone that’s redefining what ‘budget’ means in 2024”

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