From the manufacturer
1 Super AMOLED Display 2 Advanced Triple-Camera
1 Nightography 2 Video (HDR+OIS/VDIS)
1 Expandable Storage 2 Durability
1 Privacy & Security 2 Battery
Samsung Galaxy A Series
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
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Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
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Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
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Screen6.6″ FHD+ Super AMOLED |
Screen6.5″ FHD+ Super AMOLED, Infinity-U / 1000nits (peak) |
Screen6.4″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X FHD+ / 1,500nits (peak) |
Camera50MP, Digital Zoom up to 10x, 8MP UW, 5MP Macro Rear / 13MP Front |
Camera50MP, Digital Zoom up to 10x, 8MP UW, 2MP Macro Rear / 13MP Front |
Camera50MP, 12MP UW, 8MP Tele, Dual Pixel, Digital Zoom 30x Rear / 10MP Front |
Storage | Memory128GB | 6GB RAM; Expandable |
Storage | Memory128GB | 6GB RAM; Expandable |
Storage | Memory128GB / 8GB RAM |
ProcessorExynos 1380 |
ProcessorExynos 1280 |
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen1 (SM8450) |
Battery5,000mAh / Super Fast Charging (25W) |
Battery5,000mAh / Super Fast Charging (25W) |
Battery4,500mAh / 25W Super Fast Charge |
R.T.R.T. –
I’ve had my Samsung Galaxy A35 for just over one month. I looked at a lot of reviews before pulling the trigger and I shopped a few brands.1st – 4 Android upgrades (1/yr) and 5 years of security patches CAN’T BE BEAT at this price point.2nd – IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min).Great screen (Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits) and the adaptive brightness works super well (High Brightness Mode). Solid build with Victus Glass front and rear on a plastic frame. 5000 mAh battery and 25W charging give longevity and fast top ups. The 5nm Exynos 1380 chipset has 4×2.4 GHz & 4×2.0 GHz processors along with 6GB RAM, 128GB internal storage and micro SDXC slot. Plenty of power and storage under the hood for all except maybe the hardcore power users and game junkies. A fantastic all-around phone for most users. Fingerprint reader under the screen works great providing accurate and fast access to the device. Stereo speakers have plenty of volume and a pleasing tone for streaming videos. Audiophiles will want quality ear buds regardless of the speakers. The sound is well tuned for normal use. Calls are clear and trouble free.I don’t really do selfies; the front camera is 13MP of acceptable. Not horrible, not wow.Let’s talk triple rear cameras. 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide) with PDAF (phase detection auto focus) and OIS (optical image stabilization – way better then electronic image stabilization) + 8 MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 5 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Like their displays, Samsung also makes their own camera sensors and know what they are about in both departments. In my experience, the biggest limiter on phone cameras is the controlling software. Here Samsung gives you acceptable level software. No brand name glass (like Zeiss or Leica) for the lenses. The cameras are solidly utilitarian and get the job done with enough power to give you some creative wiggle room. Those who know how can tweak their pictures by learning the strengths and weaknesses and going to post processing when needed. Unfortunately, there is no RAW support, or you could make even better progress in post. There are also several shooting modes that users might utilize to adapt to the composition of a particular image capture.The main camera operates in a 12.5MP mode by default. I went into settings > settings to keep > camera mode (switch on) so that it remembers I want the 50MP mode and saves it when I open the camera app again. There is no zoom in 50MP mode, but I’d rather crop in on more pixels than use less pixels getting degraded by digital zoom in most use case scenarios.The picture of the steering wheel detail was taken with the 5MP f/2.4 macro lens, auto settings, no post process.The two cloudscapes were captured with the main camera in 50MP mode, auto settings, no post process. You only achieve 50MP when shooting in full aspect ratio. I prefer 16:9 so those images are 37.5MP.The picture of the moon was taken in Pro mode (12.5MP) with 10x zoom, ISO 40 and -2.0ev.The picture of the $1 coin was captured with the main camera at 50MP. I used a 10x macro lens clipped in front of the main camera and did post processing in Snapseed.The picture of the moth was captured with the main camera at 12.5MP and 2x zoom. Post processed in Snapseed.All-in-all: solid value for money and a phone you likely won’t upgrade from anytime soon. It has all you need to make it a faithful companion for years.Quick Update: I was out taking Milkyway photos the other night with my mirrorless camera. I did add one image to this review, taken with the A35. The photo of the trees after sunset was during the Blue Hour (low light) with the main camera in 50MP mode, auto settings, lightly edited in Snapseed. The capture was at 1/9th of a second and demonstrates the effectiveness of the Optical Image Stabilization.I was also using the Stellarium app with live view and can attest to the accuracy and responsiveness of the compass sensor on the Galaxy A35. I just keep finding more reasons to love this phone!
Lavienrose30 –
I just got this on a little sale at $345, and I definitely like this phone. I have tmobile and notifications and calls come thru nicely , voice is loud , screen is great, photos are nice and moderate level for the price, not superfast in browsing web like the more expensive but not slow either. The screen is large, battery lasts longer than the flagship, this has a sd card insert as well so that is a plus. It fits me just fine in doing things I normally do. Also, I hear Samsung is going to offer security updates for 5 years from what I read so that is great. Really happy with the phone.
James Bond –
UPDATED POST (30JUN24)For some reason, the phone is very “slippery” when placed glass-side down. I have set the phone face down on surfaces like a kitchen or restaurant table with and without cloth and plastic table cloths, my pant leg when I am sitting down, the keyboard and top of my laptop when it is turned off or closed, and other materials.When placed this way, if there is ANY slight sense of not being 100% level and flat, the phone will start to creep in the direction of the slant and make it way off of the device. This is very annoying and concerning that it may sustain damage…especially since the frame and corners are plastic.My only solution it to put it face up (yet camera side down) where is seems to create a bit more friction and not creep off of the surface. When trying to maintain privacy, I although I WANT to place it face down, I am fearful it will slide off of the surface.SOLUTION: Getting a thin silicone skin-type case for it has solved my issue.Note: Although I say “I” above, it is a combination of either me or my wife, as the phone is now hers, but I use it from time to time.ORIGINAL POST :I bought this for my wife. I have a newer Samsung S-series.This phone has everything I would want.I would gladly trade my S-series for it.What it is missing, compared to my S-Series:1) Wireless charging If I really needed that I could get this for $10 (See end of this review for Amazon TASUMATO Wireless Charging Receiver Qi Charger Adapter link)2) Thinness A35 is thicker (0.32″ vs 0.30″)3) Maybe speed? (Not noticeable enough for me)4) Too new for Verizon to recognize5) Read “complaints” about speed of fingerprint reader. To me it is not significant.6) Size A35 is taller (6.37″ vs 5.76″ )/wider( 3.07″vs 2.79″ ) , I like the smaller S-Series because so it does not stick out of my back pocket like the A35.What is has that I wish my S-Series had1) Micro SD Slot2) Less that 1/2 the price.3) Battery almost 2x as big4) Android 14 is its first OS. Which means it will be supported longer than my S-Series (release with Android 13) with another Android O/S update.Since this is an Unlocked version, Verizon doesn’t sell a similar version (even a Verizon locked version) yet, and it has only been out since Mar/APRIL 2024, I had an issue with Verizon.The only issue I had was getting a physical 5G nano SIM installed for it from the local Verizon store.I used the old Verizon 3G SIM I had (from the phone I was replacing) in this new phone until I could get to the verizon store. No issues.When the Verizon “tech” tried to scan the phone, it would not come up in his database. Thus he couldn’t link it to the new SIM in an automated way (and he did not know how else to do it).He said “We usually have this issue with Unlocked phones.”I think it was just because it was so new.So, he set it up via eSIM. He did some testing and found no issues.I ran it this way for a while without issue.I also got him to give me a new blank Verizon 5G SIM. (It was no good to me unless Verizon registered it anyway).I called Verizon customer support. Since I had a blank Verizon 5G SIM, they were able to void the eSIM and get my 5G physical SIM to work over the phone.So, no real “issues” with Verizon, just an inconvenience.NOTE:I did not set it up with face recognition or the fingerprint reader for security reasons.WIRELESS CHARGING RECEIVER ADAPTER from AMAZON:https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Charging-Receiver-Charger-Adapter/dp/B09T9192P1/ref=sr_1_7?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XikiZ2djR8Rm8GopWoXVrA6AtYSRHayCogLn1kB5WU1S1MxZpSygtHxk2SoP8HhoTmeYF_C9UDcXTJbQfQvHkiFALl_olKSl3jH1Kr2lBa2mHnkXagvaC0d1QDHVq2ia76qe0msNIOLPW8CEfpderibezU531235JojJLrHVl0ezvGYDTYPDr9cO3-X6l09LEsoaOhkw0GzjX5EsJIKh71KnLblw7KQ1dHYPBzj199A.YtasrLm4IwzJ-ZHKuwzoNLE3v11As-gdgSzdTnxyzf4&dib_tag=se&keywords=wireless+charging+adapter&qid=1717338850&sr=8-7
Amazon Customer –
I left Samsung for a couple years with a Pixel 6. What a mistake. Well this was a Prime deal so I’m back with Samsung. Great phone, with plenty of speed and a real nice screen. Camera is real nice and overall I’m very pleased. I love how easy google makes it to swap over phones (thanks to android). Battery life is great and really no complaints.
peacefulbasha19 –
So far I love this phone. The lilac color is beautiful and it is operating in typical galaxy style. My last galaxy note 9 lasted over 3 years. I love that I can upgrade the memory and it doesn’t have all the AI stuff. Solid phone. Pictures detailed, clear. Love it.
Biedie –
I like this phone very much. No problems with it at all.
G. W. –
Coming from a Note 9 that is 5 years old I find that even though it doesn’t have wireless charging and an S pen that this is a great replacement for said phone. Although I suppose upgrading from any phone that is 5 years old to one that is less than a year old would probably result in a good experience one does have to make sure to get a phone that will meet your needs. I watched multiple reviews online and read ones as well and decided that I don’t really need wireless charging or an S pen for the price one has to pay to get phones with those features. Ordered a set of magnetic adapters for the cable which will make connecting and disconnecting the phone to charge much easier than having to insert it. This should help to over come the ease of wireless charging and wired charging is faster anyway even if not as convenient. The one thing that most reviews failed to mention, and perhaps it is because it has become so common on Samsung phones, is adaptive charging. This ability allows one to pick from 3 different behaviors the phone will have in relation to charging when left on the charger which is significant for over night charging. This is a feature which my old phone did not have. Based on what I researched online the worst thing you can do to shorten your battery life is leave your phone on the charger overnight if it does not have adaptive charging. When I had my note 4 I did not know this and use to leave it on the charger overnight all the time. Although with the Note 4 you could just replace the battery when it went bad by just removing it. I followed the advice of not leaving the phone on the charger overnight with my Note 9 and I guess it must have extended the life of the battery considering it has not swollen in 5 years of use. Even if it does not hold the charge as long as I would like. As far as speed I find this phone to be plenty fast for doing everyday things which is all I really want the phone for besides playing some low end games. The front finger print reader is fast enough for me, coming from a phone with the reader on the back, and has no problem unlocking my banking app as well as the password software I use. I had read that someone else couldn’t use the front reader with their banking app so this was of concern for me. Have no problem using it with Mint, which uses T-Mobile towers, simply shut down phone installed sim card and SD card rebooted and was making phone calls in no time. For me this works great as a replacement for my Note 9 and should get plenty of years of use out of it.
D. Bryan –
Purchased this phone for the gorella glass front and back, sd card slot, large battery, 4 OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates, and the duel sim capability. I’m not a gammer and don’t want to pay for all that high speed stuff. Needed a basic rugged phone that will last me 5 years or more. I use security system apps, email, text, and internet with some camera use, but no great expectations on the camera. Does everything I need at a price point below what I thought I would pay. Only drawback is the phone is somewhat larger than anticipated and a little heavier. Not a big deal though. Connected to the Verizon network through it’s internal SIM without any issues. 25W fast charge works well and takes about 1 hr, 20 min for a full charge from 5% using a samsung 40W wall charger (purchased separately).
Elaine Fogel –
As a retired person, I’m home more, using my Samsung Galaxy tablet. I held onto an old Motorola that I got from TMobile in 2019!I finally upgraded to this Galaxy and love it. I synced my phone and tablet for easy transition and fluid use.I like the fingerprint security feature, the appearance, and long-lasting battery. The only issue I have is with the camera and video. Like many mobile devices, distance shooting is pixilated. That’s why I still use a 40x zoom camera.
LaTasha Fleming –
I love this phone!!!. Nice camera, good battery life and you can like text messages like an IPhone