Galaxy A35 Vs Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G

Galaxy A35
Galaxy A35
Starting at

Refurbished price:£119.00

Versus £367.31 new

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Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£247.00

Versus £1,364.00 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A35 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G represent distinct offerings within Samsung's smartphone lineup, catering to different user expectations and needs. The Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, is a more recent device, while the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, launched in February 2022, was a flagship model at its release. These devices differ significantly in their core specifications, particularly in camera capabilities and overall performance, reflecting their respective market positions.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and repairability.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy A35 was released in March 2024, making it a newer device compared to the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, which launched in February 2022. This difference in release date means the A35 benefits from a more current starting point for software support.
  • Software Longevity: Samsung typically provides four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates for its A-series and S-series devices. The Galaxy A35 is expected to receive four major OS upgrades and five years of security updates. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, having launched with Android 12, has already received its promised four major OS updates, with support for security updates expected to continue until 2027. This means the A35 will receive OS updates for a longer period into the future.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy A35 has a repairability score of 8.4 out of 10, indicating a design that facilitates easier repairs. In contrast, the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G received a lower repairability score of 3 out of 10 from iFixit, largely due to the extensive use of strong adhesive, which makes disassembly and battery replacement challenging. This suggests that the A35 may be more straightforward to maintain over its lifespan.

Year of Release

2024

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily operations, encompassing everything from app responsiveness to handling demanding tasks. These two devices offer different levels of processing power and storage configurations.

  • Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy A35 is equipped with a processor that handles everyday tasks smoothly, and users report it stays cool even during extended use. It can manage casual gaming and multitasking, though more graphically intensive applications might experience occasional frame drops. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, featuring a flagship-tier processor at its release, delivers robust performance for demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and high-fidelity gaming. Users generally find its performance to be very responsive, even years after its initial release.
  • Storage and RAM: The Galaxy A35 is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, with expandable storage via microSD. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G offers more extensive configurations, including 8GB or 12GB of RAM and internal storage options ranging from 128GB up to 1TB, though it lacks a microSD card slot.
  • Battery Behavior: Both devices feature a 5000 mAh battery. The Galaxy A35 is reported to offer a full day to a day and a half of use for moderate to heavy users. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G's battery life is generally considered good enough for a full day of moderate to heavy use, but heavy users might find themselves needing to charge it more frequently.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both models offer vibrant viewing experiences with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G feature Super AMOLED displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. The A35 offers a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), providing a clear and vivid viewing experience. The S22 Ultra 5G boasts a higher Quad HD+ resolution (1440 x 3088 pixels), resulting in a sharper image with greater detail.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The Galaxy A35 has a peak brightness of 1000 nits, which allows for good visibility in bright daylight. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G offers a significantly higher peak brightness of up to 1750 nits, enhancing outdoor visibility and HDR content viewing.
  • Screen Size and Design: The Galaxy A35 has a 6.6-inch display, while the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G features a larger 6.8-inch display. The S22 Ultra 5G's display also incorporates an edge design and a more immersive viewing area.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1440 x 3088

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

The camera systems on these smartphones cater to different photography needs, with varying sensor capabilities and features.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A35 features a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. It lacks a dedicated telephoto lens. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G offers a more versatile quad-camera system, including a 108MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and two 10MP telephoto lenses providing 3x and 10x optical zoom capabilities. This allows for greater flexibility in capturing distant subjects.
  • Photography Performance: In daylight, the A35's main camera produces sharp and vibrant photos. Its ultrawide camera performs reasonably well, but low-light performance can introduce some noise. The S22 Ultra 5G is praised for its excellent daylight shots, sharp focus, and good HDR performance. Its telephoto cameras are a significant highlight, allowing for detailed zoomed-in images, and it performs well in various lighting conditions.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices can record video at up to 4K resolution at 30fps with their main cameras. The A35 has a 13MP front-facing camera. The S22 Ultra 5G features a higher resolution 40MP front camera and can record 8K video at 24fps with its rear camera.

Main camera

50 megapixels

108 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

40 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core components, several other features contribute to the overall user experience and practical utility of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity. The Galaxy A35 includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, with a USB Type-C 2.0 port. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G offers Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, along with a faster USB Type-C 3.2 port.
  • Build Materials and Durability: The Galaxy A35 features a glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+) and glass back with a plastic frame, and it carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G has a more premium build with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, an aluminum frame, and an IP68 rating for enhanced dust and water resistance.
  • Unique Features: A key differentiator for the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is its integrated S Pen stylus, offering enhanced productivity for note-taking, drawing, and navigation. The A35 does not include stylus support. Both phones include useful sensors like fingerprint readers.
  • Weight and Dimensions: The Galaxy A35 weighs 209 grams and measures 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is slightly heavier at 228 grams and larger at 163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm.

Weight

209 g

228 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.8

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

User feedback for the Galaxy A35 often highlights its strong battery life, vibrant display, and capable main camera as significant advantages for its category. Users appreciate its smooth performance for everyday tasks and its robust build quality with Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. Some criticisms include the absence of a telephoto camera and potential for noise in low-light photos.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G receives consistent praise for its exceptional camera system, particularly its versatile zoom capabilities, and its bright, detailed display. The integrated S Pen is a major draw for users who value productivity and creative input. Common concerns sometimes revolve around its battery life for very heavy users and its lower repairability score.

Users prioritizing a modern device with extended software support and a focus on everyday reliability, a good main camera, and strong battery life may find the Galaxy A35 well-suited to their needs. Its enhanced repairability also offers a practical advantage for long-term ownership. Conversely, users who require advanced camera features, particularly optical zoom, a highly detailed display, and the unique productivity offered by an integrated stylus, will likely lean towards the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G. This device remains a powerful option for those seeking a premium experience, even a few years after its release. Both models can be considered as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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