Samsung’s Galaxy A series has long been a popular choice for a mid-range phone, offering a great mix of performance, features and affordability.
With the recent releases of the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35, there are now two more interesting options to consider.
However, which one is the best choice? While we haven’t had a chance to test these two phones yet, their specs and prices say enough for us to pick an early winner.
Differences between Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35
Both phones share a similar design, featuring a sleek, modern aesthetic that is unmistakably Samsung. There are, however, some notable differences.
The Galaxy A55 has an aluminum 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 sturdy – but contributes to a lighter overall weight and is one of the reasons 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,” a raised section on the side of the phone for easier access.
Their frame features 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 favor premium, sturdier materials should look to 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.
Plus, it’s actually the same display we saw on last year’s Galaxy A54. So whether you’re streaming video, gaming, or browsing the web, expect excellent color 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 over its predecessor.
To save on costs, the Galaxy A35 is equipped with the Exynos 1380, a 5nm octa-core processor that powers the 2023 Galaxy A54. It offers good performance for everyday tasks, but the Galaxy A55 should feel a little faster and offer a slightly better gaming experience, although neither phone can be considered a true gaming phone.
The Galaxy A55 has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but there is also a 256GB storage option for UK buyers. There is even a 12/256 GB option available in some countries.
The cheaper Galaxy A35 has 6 or 8 GB of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of storage. In the UK there is no 6GB variant, so the 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 main camera with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide camera and a 5MP macro camera, as well as a 32MP selfie camera. This is the exact same setup we tested on the Galaxy A54, so expect excellent image quality and very good low-light performance.
Similarly, the Galaxy A35 offers a 50MP main camera with OIS, but only an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 5MP macro camera, paired with a 13MP front camera.
As the A35 has the same main and macro lenses as the A55, the quality of the photos taken should not differ. The difference will, however, be visible between the ultra-wide cameras of these phones.
They’re both certainly handy when you can’t fit everyone or everything in the frame, but at the obvious cost of quality compared to the main camera.
However, given the higher resolution than that present in the Galaxy A55, it is more likely to deliver better overall results. The Galaxy A55’s higher-resolution front camera will also appeal more to selfie enthusiasts.
Video recording, especially with OIS, is impressive, delivering vibrant colors and smooth images even at 1080p resolution on both main lenses.
Both smartphones feature a 5,000mAh battery (standard for almost all smartphones these days) with support for 25W fast charging. Plus, it’s the exact same cell we have We saw in the Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34 last year.
Given our testing with these phones, you can expect the same charging time on the A55 and A35: around 15% in 15 minutes, 30% in 30 minutes, and a full charge in around two hours.
However, be aware that Samsung does not include a wall adapter and testing was done with a 67W fast charger from another brand.
Additionally, both devices run on One UI 6.1 based on Android 14, providing a smooth and intuitive user experience with a host of features and customization options.
There’s also good news when it comes 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.
Pricing and availability
Both phones are available directly from Samsung, where the Galaxy A55 costs £439 for the 8GB/128GB variant and £489 for the 8GB/256GB variant. You can also get it from other online retailers , including John Lewis, Very and Currys.
Samsung’s US division told CNET that the Galaxy A55 would not be offered “at this time.” Instead, Samsung would position the Galaxy S23 and 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 is also available at John Lewis, Very, Currys and elsewhere.
In the US, you can currently buy the Galaxy A35 on Amazon, where it costs $369.99 for the 128GB version and $389.99 for the 256GB version.
Surprisingly, both models are £10 cheaper than their predecessors in the UK; However, the Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34 are also now available at discounted prices from various retailers.
The A54 currently costs just £324 in the UK and $340 in the US. Meanwhile, you can buy 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 prefer a premium, rugged 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 a 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 United States, the choice is even more obvious since the A55 is not available there.
However, considering the A54 can now be had for £15 less than the A35, I would much rather recommend this model if you’re OK with it already being a software support lifespan.
