Samsung’s Galaxy A series bridges the gap between premium features and midrange affordability, positioned slightly above the Galaxy M and F series. Earlier this year, the company introduced the Galaxy A55 and A35 smartphones in India, priced under Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 30,000, respectively. Both devices are powered by Samsung’s Exynos chips and will receive four years of OS updates, extending support up to Android 18. How do they compare to other phones in their price range? Here’s a detailed review based on user experiences.
Samsung Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 Price in India
Samsung Galaxy A55: Starts at Rs. 39,999 for the 8GB+128GB model. Other variants include 8GB+256GB at Rs. 42,999 and 12GB+256GB at Rs. 45,999.
Samsung Galaxy A35: Begins at Rs. 30,999 for the base 8GB+128GB model, with an 8GB+256GB variant priced at Rs. 33,999.
Both phones come in a slim box with a charging cable, SIM ejector tool, and documentation. However, buyers need to purchase a transparent TPU cover and charging brick separately.
Design
The Samsung Galaxy A55 and A35 share a similar design, including the SIM tray location, USB Type-C port, triple rear camera layout, and bottom-firing speaker grille. Both handsets feature Samsung’s new Key Island design for volume and power buttons. The rear panels of both models closely resemble the premium Galaxy S24, boasting a glossy finish that resists fingerprints. They are equipped with Super AMOLED screens protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, with a 120Hz refresh rate and a center-aligned hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera.
The Galaxy A55 features flat, brushed aluminum edges, while the Galaxy A35 has matte-finished flat aluminum edges. Neither phone includes a TPU case.
Specifications and Software
Both the Galaxy A55 and A35 feature a 6.6-inch full-HD+ (1,080×2,408 pixels) Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1,000 nits peak brightness. They come with slightly thicker bezels compared to other phones in the same price range.
Samsung promises four OS upgrades and an additional year of security updates, ensuring support until 2028. Both phones run on Android 14-based One UI 6. Preinstalled apps like Spotify can be uninstalled, though the Galaxy A35 also includes Candy Crush Saga via the AppCloud service, which lacks an opt-out option. Regular prompts to enable Glance lock screen features after updates can be skipped with a few taps.
One UI offers a clean and mature software experience, featuring Samsung Wallet for contactless payments, advanced Link to Windows integration, and Good Lock for customization. The Object Eraser feature uses machine learning to remove unwanted objects in photos. Connectivity options include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, GPS, and a USB Type-C port.
Performance
Galaxy A55: Powered by a 4nm Exynos 1480 chip with up to 12GB of RAM.
Galaxy A35: Runs on a 5nm Exynos 1380 processor with 8GB of RAM.
Both phones handle daily tasks well, including web browsing, social media apps, non-intensive games, and capturing photos and videos. Games like BGMI and Asphalt 9 run smoothly, but heavier titles like Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile and Genshin Impact experience some lag, even on the Galaxy A55.
One UI 6 provides excellent RAM management, keeping apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, Gmail, and Outlook in memory for quick access. System A/B updates, available only on the Galaxy A55, allow for faster post-update reboots.
Battery Life
Equipped with 5,000mAh batteries, both handsets are highly optimized for extended use. In a HD video loop test, the Galaxy A55 lasted 28 hours and 14 minutes, while the Galaxy A35 lasted 26 hours and 34 minutes. Real-world usage typically requires charging every 30-35 hours with moderate use.
Samsung does not include a 25W charging brick, so users need to purchase one separately. Using a Belkin USB PD 3.0 charger, both phones reached 50% charge in about 45 minutes, and a full charge took 1 hour and 25 minutes. Both models have an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.
Cameras
The Galaxy A55 and A35 feature a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 5-megapixel macro camera, and 12-megapixel and 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle cameras, respectively. The Galaxy A55 has a 32-megapixel front camera, while the Galaxy A35 has a 13-megapixel front camera.
The camera interface includes a Pro mode for fine-tuning settings and a Pro Video mode for advanced video recording. Both phones support Samsung’s Super Steady stabilization, Slow Mo, and Super Slow Mo modes.
The primary cameras capture detailed images with vibrant colors, especially in natural light. The ultra-wide angle cameras are less reliable, with some warping around the edges and lower color accuracy. Night mode delivers bright images with reduced noise, while the macro cameras perform best in natural light.
Selfies from both phones are clear, with the Galaxy A55 offering more detail due to its higher resolution front camera. Both phones support 4K video recording at 30fps and 1080p at 30fps and 60fps, with excellent stabilization from the rear camera.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 are strong contenders in the midrange segment, offering decent cameras, solid performance, and impressive battery life. They come with the promise of four years of OS updates and an additional year of security updates. The IP67 rating and excellent battery performance further enhance their appeal, despite the lack of a charging brick in the box.
For users seeking midrange smartphones with premium features and long-term software support, the Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 are excellent choices. Ensure you protect your investment with GoWarranty, offering comprehensive extended warranty plans to keep your devices running smoothly beyond the manufacturer’s warranty. With GoWarranty, enjoy peace of mind and uninterrupted usage of your new Samsung Galaxy A55 or Galaxy A35.
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