Samsung Galaxy A35 5G Review: Luxurious Design, Abundant Features
Samsung has two variants of this product, namely the Galaxy A35 5G with 128GB and 256GB storage capacities. Apart from the memory size, both are the same phones with a price difference of IDR 800,000, with all of Samsung’s current capabilities, including a number of AI feature touches like their flagship. Especially on the image editing side, such as removing objects, making stickers and so on.
We will briefly review the Galaxy A35 5G 256GB variant as follows.
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G key specs: 120Hz Super AMOLED 6.6-inch screen; One UI 6.1 based on Android 14; 4K video recording; 8-core CPU; Mali-G68 MP5; 128GB-256GB, 8GB RAM, 50MP Triple Camera.
Price: IDR 5,499,000 (256GB) – IDR 4,699,000 (128GB).
Color Options: Awesome lilac, Awesome navy, Awesome Iceblue.
Sales Package: Phone, USB-C to USB-C data cable, Manual book, Pin Ejector.
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G Specs
 |
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| Dimensions & Weight (mm&grams) | 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm, 209 grams |
|---|---|
| Driving License & Network | Dual Nano SIM Hybrid, 5G, 4G LTE/HSPA+/3G/2G, WiFi |
| Operating System (OS ) | One UI 6.1 based on Android 14 |
| Supported external storage | MicroSD up to 1 TB |
| Inches screen – Screen Type | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to- body ratio), 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density), Super AMOLED 120 Hz, Corning Gorilla Victus+ |
| Processor/ CPU | Exynos 1380 (5nm); Octa-core CPU (4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), GPU: Mali-G68 MP5 |
| RAM & Internal Storage | 8 GB RAM / 256 GB Storage |
| Camera (MP/features) rear/front | Triple Rear: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.96″, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0″, 1.12µm MP, f/2.4, (macro) Video: 4K@ 30fps, 1080p@60fps and 30fps Front Single: |
| Battery type (type) | 5000 mAh Lithium (non-removable) |
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G Features :
- Removable battery : No
- Multitouch : Yes
- Dual SIM : Yes
- 3G HSDPA : Yes
- 4G LTE : Yes
- 5G Ready : Yes
- NFC : Yes
- USB On-the-go : Yes
- GPS : Yes
- Fingerprint : Yes
- Dual Kamera Depan : No
- Memory external : Yes
- Gyroscope : Yes
- Stereo Speaker : Yes
- 4K video recording : Yes
- Video player : Yes
- Music player : Yes
- 3.5 Audio Port : No
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G Pros and Cons
ADVANTAGES
- Luxurious design, Protected by front and back glass
- 120Hz Super AMOLED screen
- IPx4 and IP67 protection
- The latest One UI 6.1 with a number of interesting new features USB C to USB C is often incompatible with old chargers
- Record 4K 30 fps video front and back
- Camera results are not disappointing
- Stereo Audio
DISADVANTAGES
- The body is too slippery for some users
- No default case included
- No charger adapter included
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G Review
Premium Design
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G comes with a premium design. The front and back surfaces of this phone are coated with protective glass (especially the front is even said to use Gorilla Glass Victus+), while the bezel or bone of the phone is made of solid plastic with a texture that is not as slippery as glass, and a number of attractive curves.
This means that this phone will not feel slippery when held, because the bezel still provides the grip we need. Even for those of us whose hands often sweat. And just so you know, this phone is relatively wide to use with one hand.
But it will be different when we put it on the table surface. It’s a good idea to really put it on a flat surface, otherwise, this phone tends to be slippery when in a supine or prone position.
Interestingly, in the sales package, this phone does not include an additional casing. So either we need to buy an additional casing ourselves when buying the phone, for safety, or try it for a few days first without a casing to be able to decide in the future. We are sure that either a third-party casing or a casing made by Samsung itself will solve this problem.
However, you don’t need to worry about its durability. This rather “beautiful” phone already has IPx4 and IP67 certification, which means that this phone has been declared capable of passing a water spray test from various angles of 10 liters per minute for 5 minutes. It is also safe when submerged in fresh water for 30 minutes.
In everyday practice, we can stay calm, when our mineral water spills on the phone, for example when in a cafe. Or when suddenly the frost from our milk coffee floods one part of the phone.
Several things on the Galaxy A35 5G will remind us of Samsung flagship phones. Especially in the camera section. With 3 circles carrying the camera lens, accompanied by a flash. The rest, such as the choice of cellphone material is also one of the things that makes it feel luxurious, as well as the loss of the 3.5 mm audio jack hole. It feels very premium, right?
Screen and UI
This phone carries a 6.6-inch screen. Relatively wide of course. With a Super AMOLED panel, the images displayed in FHD 1080 x 2340 pixel resolution bring striking colors and with a maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz, we will no longer be dizzy when browsing TikTok and Instagram.
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G is equipped with the latest software, namely One UI 6.1 based on Android 14. Of course, we can use the capabilities of Android that are paired with the capabilities of the latest Samsung One UI. Especially in terms of photo editing, sharing photos, isolating photos to be used as stickers and so on.
Things that we might not find on the A35 5G, from all the flagship One UI features, include circle to search. Because this is still exclusive to the flagship first. And this is not a loss. We are sure that users of this cellphone will play more with the camera, photos and image editing to make it more worthy of being displayed on social media.
Chipset and Battery
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G carries the in-house Exynos 1380 chipset. It is interesting because this chipset carries an 8-core CPU divided into two equally large clusters, namely 4 × 2.4GHz ARM Cortex A78 and the remaining 4 cores are ARM Cortex A55 2.0GHz. Judging from this combination, there is no need to worry about CPU performance.
Accompanied by a GPU from ARM, namely the Mali-G68 MP5, this cellphone can reach 400-500 thousand in the Antutu benchmark. With the note that it is only capable of running Antutu 3D lite. Alias equivalent to mid-range chipsets from competitors.
Although there are 2 storage variants, namely 256 GB as we reviewed and 128 GB, but for RAM both are the same, namely 8GB. With the possibility of increasing storage capacity with a MicroSD card up to 1TB.
Meanwhile, to support its tasks, this dual SIM cellphone with a nano Sim card slot and Hybrid for MicroSD is also accompanied by a large capacity battery, 5000 mAh. With the right charger head, namely 25W PD, this cellphone can be charged quickly. Unfortunately, we do not get this charger head in the purchase package.
Alternatively, we can find the right charger head ourselves, or buy it together when buying this cellphone.
Capable Camera
Nowadays, middle-range cellphone cameras, both mid-high and mid-low, can usually meet our needs for taking pictures and creating content. The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G is one of those that promises this.
Sure enough, the camera’s capabilities can be said to have reached the standards we want. Shooting with many modes, including Night which makes night photos look better, as well as portrait mode which makes the results look dramatic.
Not only that, on the video recording side, this cellphone is also able to speak volumes. With the ability to record videos up to 4K 30fps, it will make efforts to create content more flexible, both for portraits and landscapes. With just one 4K shot horizontally, and do framing for two modes, then videos for YouTube and TikTok can be obtained without reducing the quality of one of the videos.
However, as usual, 4K mode certainly cannot be paired with super steady mode. So either you need a tripod or third-party stabilizer, to still produce 4K videos with minimal shaking.
Here are some examples of photo results in several conditions.
Conclusion
In the price range of 4 and 5 million, the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G provides an alternative choice for prospective buyers that phones in this price range are not just gaming phones. Although it can play games well, this phone is more aimed at those who want to experiment with the camera. Take photos and videos, then edit them directly on your phone, such as with CapCut, then upload them directly to TikTok or Instagram.