Comparing the Galaxy A55 and the Galaxy A35, I didn’t expect to choose this model

Samsung’s Galaxy A series has long been a popular choice for a mid-range phone, offering a great blend of performance, features, and affordability.

With the recent releases of the Galaxy A55 and the Galaxy A35, there are now two more compelling options to consider.

However, which one is the better choice? Although we have not yet had the opportunity to test both of these phones, their specifications and prices say enough for us to be able to pick an initial winner.

Differences between the Galaxy A55 and the Galaxy A35

Both phones share a similar design, featuring sleek and modern aesthetics that are unmistakably Samsung. However, there are some notable differences.

The Galaxy A55 has an aluminium frame and a Gorilla Glass Victus+ back, adding a premium touch to its design. On the other hand, the Galaxy A35 opts for a plastic frame, which isn’t as luxurious – or strong – but contributes to a lighter overall weight and is one reason it’s cheaper.

It also lacks the same level of screen protection as the A55.

Both phones feature redesigned power and volume controls located on the ‘Key Island,’ an elevated section on the side of the phone for easier access.

Their frame has rounded corners and flat front and back surfaces, with a protruding rear camera module housing three lenses and an LED flash.

While both devices are well-built and aesthetically pleasing, those who prioritise premium and more robust materials should lean towards the Galaxy A55.

You don’t have to compromise on the screen if you go for the A35, as both phones feature a 6.6-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,000 nits in high brightness mode.

What’s more, it’s actually the same display we saw in last year’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 well.

Samsung’s US division told CNET that the Galaxy A55 would not be offered “at this time.” Instead, Samsung is reportedly positioning the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 FE as more affordable alternatives to the Galaxy S24.

More affordable is the Galaxy A35, which costs £339 for the 8GB/128GB model, and the 8GB/256GB option is priced at £389 in the UK. It’s available from John Lewis, Very, Currys, and other places too.

Those in the US can currently buy the Galaxy A35 on Amazon, where it costs $369.99 for the 128GB and $389.99 for the 256GB version.

Surprisingly, both models are £10 cheaper than their predecessors in the UK; however, 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 in the UK and at $340 in the US. Meanwhile, you can bag the A34 in the 128GB version for just £224 or the 256GB version for £274 in the UK – at the time of writing.

Verdict

If you’re more into premium and robust design, the best performance, and cameras with slightly higher resolution, the Galaxy A55 will be a great buy, as it has everything Samsung currently offers in its mid-range price range.

However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option that also offers modern design, solid performance, and almost the same cameras, the Galaxy A35 is the better buy, especially for £100 less in the UK.

And if you live in the US, the choice is even more obvious, as the A55 is not available there.

However, looking at the fact that the A54 can now be bought for £15 less than the A35, I’d much rather recommend this model if you’re ok with it already being one life into is software support lifespan.