When it comes to mid-range smartphones, Samsung has a solid track record of delivering quality and value: here, we’re comparing two of the front-runners from the Galaxy A series, the Galaxy A35 vs the Galaxy A54. The Galaxy A35 was recently unveiled by Samsung as the next Galaxy A3 model, but how does it weigh up against last year’s popular Galaxy A54?
So, in this article, we’re comparing the nuanced differences that set these two devices apart from each other, looking into the key specs, features, and of course, the pricing. It’s worth noting that these are the two flagship Galaxy A series models that will be available in the US, so if you’re deciding between last year’s or this year’s Samsung Galaxy A, we’ve got you covered here.
Samsung Galaxy A35 vs Galaxy A54 specs
| Specifications | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Samsung Galaxy A54 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 78.0 x 8.2 mm | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm |
| Display | 6.6-inch FHD+, Super AMOLED Display, 120 Hz refresh rate | FHD+, Super AMOLED Display, 120 Hz refresh rate |
| Weight | 209g | 202g |
| RAM/storage | 6GB + 128GB / 8GB + 128GB / 8GB + 256GB | 6GB + 128GB / 8GB + 128GB / 8GB + 256GB |
| Processor | Exynos 1380 | Exynos 1380 |
| Camera | 50MP Main Camera, 8MP Ultra-Wide, 5MP Macro | 50MP Main Camera, 8MP Ultra-Wide, 5MP Macro |
| Selfie camera | 13 MP Front Camera | 32 MP Front Camera |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh battery | 5,000 mAh battery |
| OS | Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 13, UI 6 |
| Security | Samsung Knox Vault | Samsung Knox Vault |
| Dust and water resistance | IP67 | IP67 |
| Colors | Awesome Ice Blue, Awesome Navy, Awesome Lilac, Awesome Lemon | Awesome White, Awesome Violet, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Lime |
Samsung Galaxy A35 vs Galaxy A54 features
Design and build quality
When it comes to design, there’s no mistake that these are Galaxy A series siblings, and they look almost identical. Each rectangular candy bar features a glass back with a trio of floating cameras in the top left, and a polycarbonate plastic frame. However, a closer inspection does reveal a few differences that separate the A35 from the A54.
Firstly, the A35 is the slightly bigger of the two, with a screen that reaches 6.6 inches, a 0.2-inch increase from the 6.4 inches of the A54. Secondly, being the newer model, the Galaxy A35 also gets the inclusion of the raised Key Island on its side bezel, which houses the power button and volume rocker, upgrading the in-hand feel and functionality. Lastly, although it’s not visible to the eye, the A35 gets encased in Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, which is a step above the Gorilla Glass 5 used on the Galaxy A54 in terms of quality.
In terms of overall durability, both phones have an IP67 rating, meaning you’ll be completely protected against dust, and submersion in up to 1 meter of freshwater for a max of 30 min.
When it comes to color options, both phones offer a range of choices to suit your personal style. The Galaxy A35 comes in Awesome Iceblue, Awesome Yellow, Awesome Lilac, and Awesome Navy, while the Galaxy A54 is available in Awesome White, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Lime, and Awesome Violet.
Display
Samsung is renowned for its AMOLED displays, and both the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A54 continue this tradition. Display is one of the areas in which, aside from a 0.2-inch difference in size, you’ll find the phones equally matched. The Galaxy A35 sports a 6.6-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth scrolling and vibrant colors with its more than capable resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels.
On the other hand, the Galaxy A54 features a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, that also gets the FHD+ resolution and 120Hz. So, realistically speaking, you shouldn’t feel an ounce of difference in performance across these two models.
Camera capabilities
Both the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A54 come equipped with impressive camera setups, and once again there’s not much to separate the two apart from the capabilities of the ultrawide sensor and the selfie camera. The Galaxy A35 features a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a 5MP macro sensor. On the selfie side of things, it has a 13MP front camera that does the job but is nothing to write home about.
The Galaxy A54, on the other hand, boasts a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and a 5MP macro sensor. Its front camera is a 32MP sensor, offering sharper selfies than the A35. Both phones perform well in good lighting conditions, capturing sharp, vibrant photos. However, the A54’s superior front camera and slightly better ultrawide sensor give it an edge in the camera department, but nothing that’s extremely noticeable.
Performance
Performance-wise, there isn’t much to separate the Galaxy A35 and the Galaxy A54 as both devices use Samsung’s own Exynos 1380 chipset. For the A35, this offers a nice upgrade from its predecessor, the Galaxy A34, which used the Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080 (6 nm). It’s also a step up for the A54, as the last-gen A53 model used the Exynos 1280. According to Samsung’s internal testing, the Exynos 1380 delivers roughly 40% faster execution speed, 20% faster game loading, and a 30% more powerful multi-core performance than the Exynos 1280.
In terms of processing power, there are two octa-core CPU units in the Exynos 1380 processor, with one consisting of four high-performance cores that enable fast app loading and multitasking (Cortex®-A78x4 2.4 GHz) – along with four power-efficient cores that drive long-lasting battery life (Cortex®-A55x4 2.0GHz). Essentially, you can expect a smooth, lag-free user experience, even when streaming, browsing, gaming, and multitasking all three.
Battery life
Both the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A54 are equipped with 5,000mAh batteries. This sizable capacity ensures that both phones can easily last a full day of moderate to heavy use. However, neither phone supports wireless charging, and both are limited to 25W wired charging. This means that while they can power through a day’s use, they may take a while to recharge fully.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A35 cheaper than the Galaxy A54?
The Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A54 are both mid-range heroes, and their prices are reflective of this; they live up to the expectation of providing flagship features at affordable price points. As the lower ‘3’ model, the Galaxy A35 is expected to have a lower starting price point than its A45 alternative, but with the A35 confirmed for release in the US but not yet launched, there’s no official USD pricing as of yet. The RRP of the A35 for the base 8GB Memory + 128GB Storage variant in the UK comes in at £339 (~$433), and £50 more for the next storage option – £389 (~$497) for 256GB.
This would still make it a more affordable option than the Galaxy A54, which retails at $450 for the base model, but realistically there’s not going to be a huge price gap between the two models, and they should be fairly evenly priced.
Is the Samsung Galaxy A35 better than the Galaxy A54?
So, which phone comes out on top in the Samsung Galaxy A35 vs Galaxy A54 showdown? As with many things, it depends on your individual needs and preferences, but this time around, there isn’t a lot going for either phone that makes it significantly better than the other. As it’s the newer device out of the two, the A35 is essentially the A54 with longer software support. However, the nitty gritty details do show that the Galaxy A54 has a slight edge in terms of display brightness, camera capabilities, and performance.
