Samsung has already released a spate of new items this year, and it’s continuing the trend with two new midrange phones: the Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G. For the first time, both phones will incorporate Samsung’s Knox Vault security system, and the A55 5G will be able to capture better images in low-light conditions.
Samsung’s Galaxy A phones, like Google’s Pixel A series and Apple’s iPhone SE family, are a more affordable alternative to the company’s premium offerings. Samsung’s press announcement did not mention pricing or availability, but we can assume these phones are around the same price as last year’s models.
Only the Galaxy A35 5G will be offered in the United States. Instead, Samsung is marketing the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 FE as less expensive solutions for customers seeking more power than the Galaxy A35 5G but less than the Galaxy S24.
“We can confirm that the Galaxy A35 5G will be coming to the US market and look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks,” a spokeswoman from Samsung’s US division told CNET, adding that it “will not be carrying the Galaxy A55 5G at this time.”
SAMSUNG GALAXY A55 VS GALAXY A35 : SPECS COMPARISON
Samsung’s strong presence in the mid-range category is mostly defined by the Galaxy A3x and A5x series, so, understandably, consumers are curious about which one best meets their demands.
This year’s Galaxy A55 and A35 offer significant advancements over their predecessors. Despite their considerable price difference, the Galaxy A55 and A35 are more similar than you may expect. So much so that the Galaxy A35 looks remarkably identical to the A55’s predecessor, the A54. In addition, we provide a comparison between the A35 and the A54.
CAMERA
The Galaxy A35 and A55 have comparable camera configurations. Their primary cameras are both 50MP with an f/1.8 aperture. Nonetheless, both cameras include OIS and have good video stabilization. The Galaxy A55 has a larger 1/1.56″, 1.0µm sensor compared to the A35’s 1/1.96″.
In addition, the A55 has a higher-resolution 12MP ultrawide camera than the A35, which only has 8MP. Neither has autofocus, sadly. The third camera on the rear of both models is a 5MP macro with fixed focus.
On the front, the A55 features a much better resolution camera (32MP). The A35 settles for a 13MP camera. Neither has autofocus, but both can take 4K selfie videos.
To our amazement, ultrawide cameras provide equal quality. The A55 offers somewhat improved contrast and a larger field of view.
When it came to evening photography, we arrived at nearly identical conclusions. The A55 and A35 have nearly comparable processing, sharpness, detail, contrast, and dynamic range with their main cameras, however, the A55 produces somewhat superior 2x photographs. The A35’s 2x samples appear uninteresting. The A55 ultrawide offers somewhat better processing.
DESIGN AND DISPLAY
The Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 both have a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, giving users a smooth viewing experience. The flat display has a hole punch in the front and employs Vision Booster technology to automatically adjust based on its surroundings. This technology improves the visibility of content in broad sunshine or low-light circumstances, making the display simpler to view in any setting.
Both phones are available in four pastel colors: ice blue, lilac, navy, and lemon. Each color is bold and distinct, allowing the phones to stand out.
The two smartphones share rounded corners and a similar camera module configuration on the back. Both phones include three independent camera lenses. One significant distinction between their designs is that the A55 has a metallic frame, whilst the A35 is plastic.
HOW’S THE PERFORMANCE?
The processor is one area where the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 differ significantly. The former features a Samsung Exynos 1480, and the latter has a less powerful Samsung Exynos 1380.
The Exynos 1480 was released in March 2024, alongside the Galaxy A55. The chip, designed on a 4nm technology, aims to provide high-end performance while improving efficiency and lowering power consumption. The Exynos 1480 has eight cores: four high-performance Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.75 GHz for demanding workloads, and four power-efficient Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz for handling lesser activities. It integrates with the Eclipse 530 GPU.
According to preliminary benchmarks, the Exynos 1480 has a 22% increase in CPU performance over its predecessor, the 2023 Exynos 1380, and a 31% boost in GPU performance. This combination should improve its ability to handle graphically intensive apps and games.
The Exynos 1380 made its debut in the Samsung Galaxy A24 in early 2023. It is built on a 5nm process and has four high-performance Cortex-A78 cores clocked at up to 2.4 GHz for demanding workloads and four power-saving Cortex-A55 cores clocked at up to 2.0 GHz for longer battery life for simpler operations. It includes an ARM Mali-G68 MP5 GPU clocked at 950 MHz, which is adequate for most common graphics processing requirements. It’s the same chip as the Galaxy A55’s predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy A54.
The Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 have 5,000mAh batteries that offer 25-watt fast wired charging. Both models should have all-day battery life, but neither supports wireless charging.
GET THE SAMSUNG GALAXY A55 FOR:
- The more upscale design.
- The battery has a longer life.
- The charging speed is slightly faster.
- The nicer speakers.
- Better performance.
- The best ultrawide camera for video recording.
GET THE SAMSUNG GALAXY A35 FOR:
- The lesser price.
- The longer the game runtime.
