Samsung’s Galaxy A collection has lengthy been a preferred alternative for a mid-range cellphone, providing an important mix of efficiency, options, and affordability.
With the current releases of the Galaxy A55 and the Galaxy A35, there are actually two extra compelling choices to contemplate.
Nonetheless, which one is the higher alternative? Though we’ve got 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 smooth and trendy aesthetics which might 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. Then again, the Galaxy A35 opts for a plastic body, which isn’t as luxurious – or sturdy – however contributes to a lighter total weight and is one purpose it’s cheaper.
It additionally lacks the identical stage of display safety because the A55.
Each telephones function redesigned energy and quantity controls situated on the ‘Key Island,’ an elevated part on the facet of the cellphone 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 gadgets are well-built and aesthetically pleasing, those that prioritise premium and extra sturdy supplies ought to lean in the direction of the Galaxy A55.
You don’t should compromise on the display if you happen to go for the A35, as each telephones function a 6.6-inch FHD+ AMOLED show with a 120Hz refresh price 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 you’re streaming videos, gaming, or browsing the web, expect excellent colours and contrast on either device.
Under the hood, the Galaxy A55 gets the Exynos 1480, a 4nm octa-core chipset that promises significant improvements in GPU and CPU performance compared to its predecessor.
To save on cost, the Galaxy A35 is equipped with the Exynos 1380, a 5nm octa-core processor that powers 2023’s Galaxy A54. It offers good performance for everyday tasks, but the Galaxy A55 should feel just that bit faster and offer a slightly better gaming experience, though neither phone could be considered a proper gaming phone.
The Galaxy A55 has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but there’s also the option of 256GB of storage for buyers in the UK. There’s even a 12/256GB option available in some countries.
The cheaper Galaxy A35 features 6- or 8GB of RAM and 128- or 256GB of storage. In the UK, there is no 6GB variant, so RAM is the same as the A55.
Both phones also support microSD cards up to 1TB for additional storage.
The Galaxy A55 has a 50Mp primary camera with OIS, a 12Mp ultra-wide camera, and a 5Mp macro camera, along with a 32Mp selfie camera. This is exactly the same setup we tested on the Galaxy A54, so expect excellent picture quality and very good low-light performance.
Similarly, the Galaxy A35 offers a 50Mp primary camera with OIS, but only an 8Mp ultra-wide camera and a 5Mp macro camera, paired with a 13Mp front-facing camera.
As the A35 has the same main and macro lenses as the A55, the quality of the photos taken shouldn’t differ. The difference, however, will be visible between the ultra-wide cameras of these phones.
They both are certainly handy when you can’t otherwise fit everyone or everything in the frame, but at the obvious expense of quality compared to the main camera.
However, given the higher resolution of the one present in the Galaxy A55, it’s more likely to provide better overall results. The Galaxy A55’s higher-resolution front-facing camera will also appeal more to selfie enthusiasts.
Video recording, especially with OIS, is impressive, offering vibrant colours and smooth footage even at 1080p resolution on both main lenses.
Both smartphones have a 5,000mAh battery (standard for just about all smartphones these days) with support for 25W fast charging. Also, this is exactly the same cell that we saw in the Galaxy A54 and the Galaxy A34 last year.
Given our tests with those phones, you can expect the same amount of charging time on both the A55 and the A35—around 15% in 15 minutes, 30% in 30 minutes, and a full charge in about two hours.
However, bear in mind that Samsung does not include a wall adapter, and the tests were done with a 67W fast charger from another brand.
Additionally, both devices run on One UI 6.1 based on Android 14, offering a smooth and intuitive user experience with a wealth of features and customisation options.
There’s also good news with regards to long-term support, thanks to Samsung’s promise of up to four generations of Android OS updates and five years of security updates for both devices.
Price & availability
Both phones are directly available from Samsung, where the Galaxy A55 costs £439 for the 8GB/128GB and £489 for the 8GB/256GB variant. You can get it from other online retailers, including John Lewis, Very, and Currys, as effectively.
Samsung’s US division informed CNET that the Galaxy A55 wouldn’t be provided “presently.” As an alternative, Samsung is reportedly positioning the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 FE as extra reasonably priced alternate options to the Galaxy S24.
Extra reasonably priced 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 the moment 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 also now available for reduced prices at various retailers.
The A54 is currently priced at just £324 within the UK and at $340 within the US. In the meantime, you’ll be able to 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
In case you’re extra into premium and sturdy design, one of the best efficiency, and cameras with barely larger decision, the Galaxy A55 will likely be an important purchase, because it has all the pieces Samsung at the moment gives in its mid-range value vary.
Nonetheless, if you happen to’re on the lookout for a extra reasonably priced possibility that additionally gives trendy design, stable 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 isn’t obtainable there.
Nonetheless, the truth that the A54 can now be bought for £15 less than the A35, I’d a lot slightly advocate this mannequin if you happen to’re comfortable with it already being one life into is software program assist lifespan.