Samsung’s Galaxy A collection has lengthy been a well-liked alternative for a mid-range telephone, providing an awesome mix of efficiency, options, and affordability.
With the latest releases of the Galaxy A55 and the Galaxy A35, there at the moment are two extra compelling choices to contemplate.
Nonetheless, which one is the higher alternative? Though now we have not but had the chance to check each of those telephones, their specs and costs say sufficient for us to have the ability to decide an preliminary winner.
Variations between the Galaxy A55 and the Galaxy A35
Each telephones share an analogous design, that includes modern and trendy aesthetics which can be unmistakably Samsung. Nonetheless, there are some notable variations.
The Galaxy A55 has an aluminium body and a Gorilla Glass Victus+ again, including a premium contact to its design. However, the Galaxy A35 opts for a plastic body, which isn’t as luxurious – or robust – however contributes to a lighter general weight and is one cause it’s cheaper.
It additionally lacks the identical stage of display safety because the A55.
Each telephones characteristic redesigned energy and quantity controls positioned on the ‘Key Island,’ an elevated part on the facet of the telephone for simpler entry.
Their body has rounded corners and flat back and front surfaces, with a protruding rear digicam module housing three lenses and an LED flash.
Whereas each units are well-built and aesthetically pleasing, those that prioritise premium and extra strong supplies ought to lean in direction of the Galaxy A55.
You don’t should compromise on the display if you happen to go for the A35, as each telephones characteristic a 6.6-inch FHD+ AMOLED show with a 120Hz refresh fee and as much as 1,000 nits in excessive brightness mode.
What’s extra, it’s really the identical show we noticed in final yr’s Galaxy A54. So whether or not you’re streaming movies, gaming, or shopping the online, anticipate glorious colors and distinction on both system.
Below the hood, the Galaxy A55 will get the Exynos 1480, a 4nm octa-core chipset that guarantees important enhancements in GPU and CPU efficiency in comparison with its predecessor.
To save lots of on price, the Galaxy A35 is provided with the Exynos 1380, a 5nm octa-core processor that powers 2023’s Galaxy A54. It gives good efficiency for on a regular basis duties, however the Galaxy A55 ought to really feel simply that bit sooner and provide a barely higher gaming expertise, although neither telephone might be thought-about a correct gaming telephone.
The Galaxy A55 has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, however there’s additionally the choice of 256GB of storage for patrons within the UK. There’s even a 12/256GB possibility obtainable in some international locations.
The cheaper Galaxy A35 options 6- or 8GB of RAM and 128- or 256GB of storage. Within the UK, there isn’t a 6GB variant, so RAM is similar because the A55.
Each telephones additionally assist microSD playing cards as much as 1TB for extra storage.
The Galaxy A55 has a 50Mp main digicam with OIS, a 12Mp ultra-wide digicam, and a 5Mp macro digicam, together with a 32Mp selfie digicam. That is precisely the identical setup we examined on the Galaxy A54, so anticipate glorious image high quality and excellent low-light efficiency.
Equally, the Galaxy A35 gives a 50Mp main digicam with OIS, however solely an 8Mp ultra-wide digicam and a 5Mp macro digicam, paired with a 13Mp front-facing digicam.
Because the A35 has the identical foremost and macro lenses because the A55, the standard of the photographs taken shouldn’t differ. The distinction, nonetheless, will probably be seen between the ultra-wide cameras of those telephones.
They each are actually helpful when you possibly can’t in any other case match everybody or every part within the body, however on the apparent expense of high quality in comparison with the primary digicam.
Nonetheless, given the upper decision of the one current within the Galaxy A55, it’s extra possible to offer higher general outcomes. The Galaxy A55’s higher-resolution front-facing digicam may also attraction extra to selfie lovers.
Video recording, particularly with OIS, is spectacular, providing vibrant colors and easy footage even at 1080p decision on each foremost lenses.
Each smartphones have a 5,000mAh battery (commonplace for almost all smartphones lately) with assist for 25W quick charging. Additionally, that is precisely the identical cell that we noticed within the Galaxy A54 and the Galaxy A34 final yr.
Given our assessments with these telephones, you possibly can anticipate the identical quantity of charging time on each the A55 and the A35—round 15% in quarter-hour, 30% in half-hour, and a full cost in about two hours.
Nonetheless, keep in mind that Samsung doesn’t embody a wall adapter, and the assessments had been carried out with a 67W quick charger from one other model.
Moreover, each units run on One UI 6.1 primarily based on Android 14, providing a easy and intuitive person expertise with a wealth of options and customisation choices.
There’s additionally excellent news close to long-term assist, due to Samsung’s promise of as much as 4 generations of Android OS updates and 5 years of safety updates for each units.
Worth & availability
Each telephones are straight obtainable from Samsung, the place the Galaxy A55 prices £439 for the 8GB/128GB and £489 for the 8GB/256GB variant. You will get it from different on-line retailers, together with John Lewis, Very, and Currys, as effectively.
Samsung’s US division informed CNET that the Galaxy A55 wouldn’t be supplied “presently.” As an alternative, Samsung is reportedly positioning the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 FE as extra inexpensive alternate options to the Galaxy S24.
Extra inexpensive is the Galaxy A35, which prices £339 for the 8GB/128GB mannequin, and the 8GB/256GB possibility is priced at £389 within the UK. It’s obtainable from John Lewis, Very, Currys, and different locations too.
These within the US can at present purchase the Galaxy A35 on Amazon, the place it prices $369.99 for the 128GB and $389.99 for the 256GB model.
Surprisingly, each fashions are £10 cheaper than their predecessors within the UK; nonetheless, the Galaxy A54 and the Galaxy A34 are additionally now obtainable for diminished costs at varied retailers.
The A54 is at present priced at simply £324 within the UK and at $340 within the US. In the meantime, you possibly can bag the A34 within the 128GB model for simply £224 or the 256GB model for £274 within the UK – on the time of writing.
Verdict
Should you’re extra into premium and strong design, one of the best efficiency, and cameras with barely greater decision, the Galaxy A55 will probably be an awesome purchase, because it has every part Samsung at present gives in its mid-range worth vary.
Nonetheless, if you happen to’re on the lookout for a extra inexpensive possibility that additionally gives trendy design, strong efficiency, and virtually the identical cameras, the Galaxy A35 is the higher purchase, particularly for £100 much less within the UK.
And if you happen to dwell within the US, the selection is much more apparent, because the A55 shouldn’t be obtainable there.
Nonetheless, the truth that the A54 can now be purchased for £15 lower than the A35, I’d a lot somewhat suggest this mannequin if you happen to’re pleased with it already being one life into is software program assist lifespan.