Galaxy A35 Vs Galaxy S23+

Galaxy A35
Galaxy A35
Starting at

Refurbished price:£119.00

Versus £367.31 new

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Galaxy S23+
Galaxy S23+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£257.00

Versus £1,199.99 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, launched in February 2023, represent distinct segments within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both operate on the Android platform, the Galaxy A35 is positioned as a mid-range device, offering a balance of features for everyday use, whereas the Galaxy S23 Plus is a former flagship, emphasizing high-end performance and advanced camera capabilities. These differences cater to varying user priorities, from general daily tasks to more demanding applications and photography.

Scores

Durability

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is significantly influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical resilience.

  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy A35, being a newer device, launched with Android 14 and is promised up to four generations of OS upgrades and five years of security updates. This means it is expected to receive major Android updates until Android 18 and security patches until March 2029. The Galaxy S23 Plus, released earlier with Android 13, also receives four major OS upgrades and five years of security updates, extending its support to Android 17 and security patches until February 2028.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A35 features a glass front with Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. Its frame and back are constructed from plastic. The Galaxy S23 Plus offers a more robust build with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, coupled with an aluminum frame and an IP68 rating for enhanced dust and water resistance.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy A35 has a repairability score of 8.4 out of 10, indicating a relatively straightforward repair process with good spare parts availability. While a specific repairability score for the S23 Plus was not readily available, flagship devices often present more complex repair challenges due to their intricate designs and premium materials.

Year of Release

2024

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance is a key differentiator, impacting how smoothly applications run and how efficiently the device handles multitasking.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy A35 delivers a capable experience for daily tasks, handling common applications and light gaming smoothly. Users generally report good responsiveness, though some have noted occasional minor delays when launching more demanding applications. The Galaxy S23 Plus, on the other hand, offers a significantly more powerful processing unit, resulting in exceptionally fast and fluid performance across all tasks, including intensive gaming and heavy multitasking, with no noticeable lag.
  • Battery Endurance and Charging: The Galaxy A35 is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, providing strong endurance that can comfortably last a full day of extensive use, and often up to a day and a half with moderate usage, with screen-on times typically ranging from 7 to 10 hours. It supports 25W wired charging. The Galaxy S23 Plus features a 4700mAh battery, which, combined with its efficient components, delivers excellent battery life, often extending to two days of normal use and achieving 11 to 16 hours in various tests. It supports faster 45W wired charging.
  • Memory and Storage: The Galaxy A35 is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB. The Galaxy S23 Plus comes with 8GB of RAM as standard, with storage configurations of 256GB or 512GB.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for user interaction, and its quality significantly impacts the viewing experience.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both devices feature a 6.6-inch display with Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels). The Galaxy A35 utilizes a Super AMOLED panel, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S23 Plus features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, which offers similar benefits with potentially greater color accuracy and dynamic range.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy A35 offers a peak brightness of 1000 nits, providing good visibility even in outdoor conditions. The Galaxy S23 Plus boasts a higher peak brightness of 1750 nits, making it exceptionally bright and vivid, particularly in direct sunlight. Both phones feature an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The A35's variable refresh rate can drop to 60Hz to conserve battery, while the S23 Plus can go down to 48Hz.
  • Viewing Experience: Users generally find the displays on both devices to be sharp and vibrant for media consumption and daily use. The larger screen size on both models provides an immersive viewing experience.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2340

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many users, influencing the quality of photos and videos captured.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy A35 features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. It does not include a dedicated telephoto lens. The Galaxy S23 Plus also has a triple-camera system, comprising a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: In daylight, the Galaxy A35 captures vibrant and detailed images, with good dynamic range. Its low-light performance is decent with night mode, though some users report potential blurriness or noise. The Galaxy S23 Plus delivers excellent photos with strong detail, accurate colors, and impressive low-light capabilities, benefiting from advanced image processing. The S23 Plus also offers a more refined portrait mode and improved zoom capabilities due to its telephoto lens.
  • Video and Front Camera: Both the main and front cameras on the Galaxy A35 can record video in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second (fps). The Galaxy S23 Plus supports video recording up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at 60fps, with enhanced video stabilization. For selfies, the A35 has a 13MP front camera, while the S23 Plus features a 12MP front camera. Both offer good quality for video calls and self-portraits.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and device utility.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity. The Galaxy A35 includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, with a USB-C 2.0 port. The Galaxy S23 Plus offers more advanced connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, and a faster USB-C 3.2 port.
  • Biometric Security: For secure unlocking, the Galaxy A35 features an in-display optical fingerprint sensor. The Galaxy S23 Plus utilizes an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which often provides a faster and more reliable authentication experience.
  • Design and Build: The Galaxy A35 has a glass front with a plastic back and frame, contributing to a slightly heavier feel at 209g and dimensions of 161.7 x 78.0 x 8.2 mm. The Galaxy S23 Plus, with its glass front and back and aluminum frame, weighs 195g and measures 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm, offering a more premium in-hand feel and a slightly more compact profile.

Weight

209 g

196 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.6

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy A35 and Galaxy S23 Plus cater to different user needs, each with its own set of strengths and minor drawbacks. The Galaxy A35 is frequently praised for its impressive battery life, vivid display, and capable main camera, making it a solid choice for everyday use. However, some users have noted occasional performance stutters with heavier applications, slower charging speeds compared to some competitors, and a low-light camera that can sometimes produce noisy images.

Conversely, the Galaxy S23 Plus is widely lauded for its superb performance, excellent battery life, exceptionally bright and vibrant display, and fantastic camera system. Common criticisms include its camera not matching the absolute top-tier performance of the Ultra model, a display resolution that is not Quad HD+, and charging speeds that, while fast, are not the quickest available in the market.

Users prioritizing a smooth, high-performance experience for demanding applications, advanced photography with optical zoom, and a premium build quality will find the Galaxy S23 Plus well-suited to their needs. Its robust processing power and superior display brightness make it ideal for power users and those who spend significant time consuming media or gaming. On the other hand, users who prioritize extended battery life, a capable camera for general use, and solid overall performance for daily tasks will find the Galaxy A35 to be a practical and reliable option. Its strong software support also contributes to a longer usable lifespan.

For those considering either device, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide an eco-friendly alternative, offering access to these capable smartphones while supporting sustainable consumption.

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