Samsung Galaxy A35 review
This phone suits someone who values a bright, large screen, lasting battery, and water resistance over raw speed or fast charging. Skip it if you game seriously, edit video, or charge phones daily and expect sub-30-minute turnarounds.
This review is based on Samsung’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Samsung Galaxy A35, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Galaxy A35 is a straightforward workhorse with a large, bright 120Hz AMOLED screen, solid all-day battery, and IP67 durability at a price that undercuts most competitors. It handles everyday tasks, messaging, and casual gaming without fuss, but the aging Exynos 1380 and 25W charging feel ordinary next to faster, better-equipped phones at similar prices.
Design & build
The A35 is slim and light at 8.2mm and 209g, with a plastic frame sandwiched between Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both front and back. That glass-plastic-glass sandwich feels more fragile than an all-glass build and collects fingerprints readily, though the oleophobic coating helps. IP67 certification (up to 1 metre for 30 minutes in fresh water) is a practical plus for accidental spills and beach days. The phone sits comfortably in one hand, and the 6.6-inch footprint is spacious without tipping into unwieldy territory. Four colour options (Ice Blue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon) give some personality at a budget price.
Display
The 6.6-inch Super AMOLED screen shines here. A 1080 x 2340 resolution yields 390 ppi, which is crisp enough at arm's length, and 120Hz refresh makes scrolling through apps and social media buttery smooth. Peak brightness reaches 1000 nits in high-brightness mode, so outdoor readability in sun is solid. Colour reproduction is vibrant and black levels are deep, a trait of AMOLED. For everyday browsing, video, and gaming, this is a screen that justifies its place in the price tier; rivals at this cost often cap out at 90Hz or cheaper LCD panels.
Performance
The Exynos 1380 is a mainstream midrange chipset with an octa-core layout (4x Cortex-A78 + 4x Cortex-A55) and Mali-G68 GPU. AnTuTu scores hover around 520K–600K, placing it in the middle band for a 2024 release. It handles social media, web browsing, messaging, and casual games (Fortnite at medium settings) without stutter. Light multitasking is comfortable, and One UI 7 rarely stutters. That said, demanding titles like Genshin Impact on high settings will tank frame rates, and video rendering in consumer apps is sluggish. RAM options (4GB to 12GB) help offset the chip's modesty, but the chipset itself is not a powerhouse. By mid-2024, several rivals at this price hit faster alternatives (Snapdragon 695, Dimensity 6020, or similar), making the A35 feel a step behind in raw horsepower.
Software
One UI 7 on Android 14 is Samsung's interpretation of Android, bundled with a suite of built-in apps. The experience is predictable and stable—no major bloat or instability—but it ships with some redundant Samsung apps (Galaxy Store, Samsung Internet) alongside Google's equivalents. The phone promises four major Android upgrades and five years of security updates, a genuine long-term support commitment. For a budget phone, this is solid; you will not be abandoned in two years.
Camera
The rear setup is a 50MP f/1.8 main with optical image stabilisation (OIS) and phase-detect autofocus. In daylight, it captures sharp, well-exposed photos with natural colour. OIS steadies video at 4K and 1080p, reducing shake in handheld shots. The 8MP, 123° ultrawide broadens the field of view for landscapes, though corner detail is softer and it underperforms in dim light. The 5MP macro is largely decorative; macro shots at 4cm distance are gimmicky and rarely usable. The 13MP selfie camera handles video calls acceptably. Overall, the main camera is the standout; night-mode performance is average for the class, and the macro is filler, but daytime photos justify the sensor size and OIS.
Battery & charging
The 5000mAh battery delivers about 1 to 1.5 days on light to moderate use (messaging, browsing, social apps, one hour of video). Heavy gaming or screen-on time drops this to around 12 hours. The battery itself is honest and practical, though not exceptional. Charging is where the A35 lags. At 25W, it takes about 60 to 90 minutes to reach 100% from empty. By 2024, this is slow—midrange competitors routinely offer 65W, 100W, or faster, cutting charge time to under 45 minutes. No wireless charging is standard to omit at this price, but the wired speed feels like a concession.
Value & verdict context
At roughly €229 (India ₹29,999, UK £165), the A35 prices itself as an affordable mainstream option. The argument for it rests on the 120Hz AMOLED, all-day battery, and IP67 durability—features that matter for real daily use. The drawbacks are clear: the Exynos 1380 is pedestrian for its era, 25W charging is slow by 2024 standards, and the plastic frame betrays its budget status. A buyer choosing between this and other sub-€250 options will find faster chips, quicker charging, or better ultrawide cameras elsewhere. The A35 is the reliable option if durability, display, and software support matter more than raw performance or charging speed.
Verdict
This phone suits someone who values a bright, large screen, lasting battery, and water resistance over raw speed or fast charging. Skip it if you game seriously, edit video, or charge phones daily and expect sub-30-minute turnarounds.
- Large 120Hz Super AMOLED display (1000 nits peak brightness) with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on front and back
- 5000mAh battery reliably lasts a full day of moderate use, with IP67 durability for water and dust resistance
- 50MP main camera with OIS and optical stabilisation delivers sharp, steady photos and video in daylight
- Quad-band 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and NFC support future-proof connectivity where available
- Exynos 1380 struggles with demanding games and video editing; rivals at this price now ship faster mid-range chips
- 25W charging is among the slowest in the segment—competitors often reach 65W to 100W by 2024
- Plastic frame and basic ultrawide (8MP, 123°) with a redundant 5MP macro as the third camera
Samsung Galaxy A35 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, March 11 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio), Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.96", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) |
| Selfie camera | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired |
| Software | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm (6.37 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back |
| Durability | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Samsung Galaxy A35 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Galaxy A35 support 5G?
Yes. The Galaxy A35 supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Galaxy A35 use?
The Galaxy A35 runs on the Exynos 1380 (5 nm).
What display does the Galaxy A35 have?
A 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM), 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density).
How big is the Galaxy A35 battery?
The Galaxy A35 has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 25W wired.
Does the Galaxy A35 have NFC?
Yes, the Galaxy A35 has NFC.
Is the Galaxy A35 water resistant?
The Galaxy A35 carries a IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) rating.
Does the Galaxy A35 support a microSD card?
Yes, the Galaxy A35 supports expandable storage (microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)).
Does the Galaxy A35 have a headphone jack?
No, the Galaxy A35 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Galaxy A35 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Galaxy A35 5G
Galaxy A55 5G
Galaxy A55
Galaxy A26
Reno12 F 5G
