Galaxy A34 Vs Galaxy S25+

Galaxy A34
Galaxy A34
Starting at

Refurbished price:£105.00

Versus £399.00 new

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Galaxy S25+
Galaxy S25+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£550.00

Versus £958.39 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A34 (2023) and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus (2025) represent different segments within Samsung's smartphone lineup, released two years apart. While both devices operate on the Android platform, the Galaxy S25 Plus, as a more recent flagship model, introduces significant advancements in processing power, camera capabilities, and display technology compared to the mid-range Galaxy A34.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its physical resilience and the duration of its software support.

  • Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy A34, released in March 2023, shipped with Android 13 and is expected to receive four major OS upgrades and five years of security updates, extending its support until around 2027. The Galaxy S25 Plus, launched in February 2025 with Android 15, benefits from Samsung's commitment to longer software support, offering seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security upgrades, providing a longer practical lifespan for users prioritizing up-to-date software. [3, 9, 10, 15, 18, 20, 33]
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A34 features an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1 meter of freshwater for 30 minutes, and has a Gorilla Glass 5 front for screen protection. [4, 6, 7, 10, 13, 24, 40, 43] The Galaxy S25 Plus offers enhanced protection with an IP68 rating, allowing submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for 30 minutes, and incorporates a more advanced Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its display, coupled with an Armor Aluminum frame for increased resilience. [15, 16, 22, 28, 33, 36, 39]
  • Repairability and Practical Lifespan: While specific repairability scores can vary, the more premium construction of the S25 Plus might involve more complex repairs. However, both devices are designed for a reasonable practical lifespan, with the S25 Plus offering a longer window for software updates, which can be a key factor for users looking to keep their device for an extended period.

Year of Release

2023

2025

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance differences between these two models are notable, reflecting their distinct market positions and release years.

  • Processing Power and Responsiveness: The Galaxy A34 is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor, which provides sufficient power for everyday tasks, smooth app usage, and even handles many graphics-intensive games adequately. [2, 10, 11, 25, 32, 35] The Galaxy S25 Plus, on the other hand, features a custom-tuned Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor, delivering a significant leap in performance. This results in exceptionally smooth animations, faster app loading, and superior handling of demanding applications and multitasking, making it well-suited for intensive use and advanced AI features. [1, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 29, 41]
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy A34 typically comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, with the added benefit of expandable storage via a microSD card. [2, 8, 10, 13, 19, 25, 26, 27, 32, 35, 40, 42, 43] The Galaxy S25 Plus offers a universal 12GB of RAM across all regions, ensuring robust multitasking capabilities, and comes with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, though it typically lacks a microSD card slot for expansion. [3, 9, 15, 18, 21, 29, 41]
  • Battery Performance: Both devices feature a substantial 5000 mAh battery in the A34 and a 4900 mAh battery in the S25 Plus, designed to provide ample power for a full day of use. [1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 16, 18, 27, 29, 31, 42, 43] The S25 Plus supports faster wired charging at 45W and also includes wireless charging capabilities, which are absent in the A34. [16, 41]

Memory (GB)

6 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience is a key differentiator, with both phones offering vibrant displays tailored to their respective categories.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy A34 and S25 Plus feature Super AMOLED displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. The A34 offers a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels) on its 6.6-inch screen, providing sharp and clear visuals for everyday viewing. [2, 5, 8, 10, 11, 19, 23, 24, 26, 27, 31, 40, 42, 43] The S25 Plus elevates this with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and a Quad HD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels), resulting in even finer detail and a more immersive viewing experience. [1, 3, 9, 15, 16, 18, 29]
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy A34's display can reach a peak brightness of 1000 nits in High Brightness Mode, ensuring good visibility outdoors, and features a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. [5, 23, 24, 43] The S25 Plus boasts a significantly higher peak brightness of 2600 nits, offering exceptional outdoor visibility and HDR content playback, alongside an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that can dynamically adjust to conserve battery life. [1, 15, 16]
  • Viewing Experience: Users of the A34 will find its display excellent for media consumption and general use within its segment. The S25 Plus, with its higher resolution, superior brightness, and advanced display technology, provides a more premium and refined viewing experience, particularly for high-quality video content and detailed graphics.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1440x3120

Audiovisual

Camera systems vary significantly between these two models, catering to different user expectations for photography and videography.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A34 features a triple rear camera setup, including a 48MP main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro camera. This setup is capable of capturing sharp and colorful photos in good lighting and offers decent low-light performance with its Night Mode. [8, 10, 14, 26, 27, 31, 34, 38, 40, 42, 43] The Galaxy S25 Plus comes with a more advanced triple camera system: a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide lens with a 120-degree field of view, and a 10MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom and OIS. This configuration provides greater versatility and higher image quality, especially in challenging conditions. [1, 9, 16, 17, 18, 29, 37]
  • Front Camera and Video Capabilities: For selfies and video calls, the A34 has a 13MP front camera, capable of recording 4K video at 30 frames per second. [8, 10, 14, 26, 27, 31, 34, 38, 40, 42, 43] The S25 Plus features a 12MP front camera, which also supports 4K video recording, and benefits from advanced image processing for more natural skin tones and improved textures. [1, 9, 16, 17, 21, 29] Both devices can record 4K video with their main rear cameras, but the S25 Plus extends this to 8K recording at 30 frames per second with its main sensor, and 4K from all other cameras, including the selfie camera. [16, 17]
  • Audio Experience: Both phones are equipped with stereo speakers, providing a more immersive audio experience for media consumption. The S25 Plus may offer a more refined audio output due to its flagship-tier components and software optimizations.

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy A34 and S25 Plus support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The A34 includes Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.3, while the S25 Plus features newer standards like Wi-Fi 7 (expected) and Bluetooth 5.4 (expected), offering potentially faster and more stable wireless connections. [10, 26, 35, 40, 43] Both devices utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, but neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. [26, 32, 40]
  • Biometric Security and Design: The Galaxy A34 incorporates an optical fingerprint sensor embedded under the display for secure unlocking. [35, 40] The S25 Plus typically uses a more advanced ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, which can offer faster and more reliable authentication. In terms of physical design, the A34 has a plastic frame and back, contributing to its lighter weight of 199g and dimensions of 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm. [10, 23, 40, 42, 43] The S25 Plus features a more premium construction with an Armor Aluminum frame and glass back, weighing 190g and measuring 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3mm, making it slightly thinner and lighter despite its larger screen. [15, 16]
  • Additional Features: The S25 Plus integrates advanced Galaxy AI features, enhancing various aspects of the user experience from photography to productivity. [1, 9, 41] The A34, while lacking these advanced AI capabilities, offers expandable storage via microSD, a feature absent in the S25 Plus. [10, 32, 43]

Weight

199 g

190 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.7

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Galaxy A34 often praises its vibrant Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, its reliable battery life, and its capable camera system for its segment. Users frequently highlight its strong value proposition and consistent performance for everyday tasks. Some common criticisms include its plastic build materials and the presence of a notch for the front camera, which some users find less modern. [2, 5, 8, 11, 24, 31, 32, 34]

The Galaxy S25 Plus generally receives acclaim for its powerful performance, driven by its flagship processor, its stunning and bright QHD+ display, and its versatile camera system that delivers high-quality photos and videos. Its extended software support and advanced AI features are also frequently lauded. Some users have noted that while the camera system is excellent, the hardware changes from previous generations might be incremental, with software improvements playing a larger role. [1, 9, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 29, 37, 41]

Users prioritizing a device with a long software support window, top-tier performance for demanding applications, and a premium camera experience will find the Galaxy S25 Plus well-suited to their needs. Its brighter, higher-resolution display and advanced build materials also cater to those seeking a more refined user experience. Conversely, users who value a balanced smartphone for daily use, good battery life, and expandable storage, without requiring the absolute latest in processing power or camera technology, may find the Galaxy A34 to be a practical choice. Both devices offer compelling features, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be a sustainable choice for consumers.

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