Galaxy A35 Vs Galaxy S25+

Galaxy A35
Galaxy A35
Starting at

Refurbished price:£119.00

Versus £367.31 new

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Galaxy S25+
Galaxy S25+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£550.00

Versus £958.39 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, launched in February 2025, represent different tiers within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both devices offer a modern Android experience, the Galaxy S25 Plus stands out with its advanced performance capabilities, superior camera system, and more robust build quality, positioning it as a flagship device compared to the A35's capable mid-range offering.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key differentiators.

  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, is expected to receive four major Android operating system updates and five years of security updates from its launch. The Galaxy S25 Plus, launched in February 2025, benefits from Samsung's extended support policy, offering seven generations of OS updates and seven years of security updates, providing a significantly longer period of software relevance.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A35 features a glass front protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, a glass back, and a plastic frame, along with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S25 Plus offers a more premium and durable construction, utilizing Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for both its front and back panels, an Armor Aluminum frame, and an enhanced IP68 rating for superior dust and water protection.
  • Expected Lifespan: Users prioritizing the longest possible software support and a more resilient physical build will find the Galaxy S25 Plus to be the more future-proof option. The A35 still offers a respectable lifespan for its category, but the S25 Plus is designed for extended use with its flagship-tier materials and software commitment.

Year of Release

2024

2025

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy S25 Plus cater to different user demands, primarily due to their internal processing hardware.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy A35 is equipped with a capable mid-range processor that handles everyday applications, web browsing, and moderate gaming smoothly. Users will experience responsive navigation and efficient multitasking for typical daily usage. The Galaxy S25 Plus, on the other hand, features an advanced flagship processor designed for demanding tasks, offering significantly faster CPU, GPU, and Neural Processing Unit (NPU) performance. This translates to exceptionally smooth operation, seamless handling of intensive applications, advanced AI features, and high-fidelity gaming without noticeable slowdowns.
  • Memory and Storage: The Galaxy A35 typically comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, with expandable storage via a microSD card slot. The Galaxy S25 Plus standardizes on 12GB of RAM across all models, paired with larger internal storage options starting from 256GB and going up to 1TB, without expandable storage. The higher RAM in the S25 Plus supports more intensive multitasking and keeps more applications active in the background.
  • Battery Behavior: Both devices feature large battery capacities, with the Galaxy A35 housing a 5000 mAh battery and the Galaxy S25 Plus a 4900 mAh battery. The A35 is noted for its good battery life, often lasting a full day or more with regular use. The S25 Plus also delivers excellent battery endurance, with users reporting extended screen-on times even with its more powerful components and advanced features. The S25 Plus supports faster wired charging at 45W and includes wireless charging capabilities, which the A35 lacks.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both smartphones is delivered through high-quality displays, though with distinct differences in technology and capabilities.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A35 features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), providing vibrant colors and deep blacks suitable for everyday viewing. The Galaxy S25 Plus steps up with a 6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display, offering a sharper QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels) for enhanced detail and clarity.
  • Brightness and Smoothness: Both phones feature a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. The A35 can reach a peak brightness of 1000 nits in High Brightness Mode, ensuring good visibility outdoors. The S25 Plus boasts a significantly higher peak brightness of up to 2600 nits and an adaptive refresh rate, which dynamically adjusts from 1Hz to 120Hz to optimize power consumption while maintaining fluidity. This higher brightness and adaptive refresh rate make the S25 Plus display more comfortable to view in bright sunlight and more power-efficient.
  • Viewing Experience: The larger, higher-resolution, and brighter display of the S25 Plus, coupled with its adaptive refresh rate and ProScaler technology for content upscaling, provides a more immersive and refined viewing experience, particularly for high-quality media and detailed content.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1440x3120

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy S25 Plus are designed to meet different photographic expectations, with the S25 Plus offering a more advanced and versatile setup.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A35 is equipped with a triple rear camera setup, including a 50-megapixel main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 5-megapixel macro lens. This system performs well in good lighting conditions, capturing detailed and colorful images. The Galaxy S25 Plus features a more sophisticated triple camera array, typically comprising a 50-megapixel main sensor with a larger sensor for improved light capture, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens with a wider field of view, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The S25 Plus excels in various scenarios, including low-light photography, thanks to its advanced sensor and image processing capabilities. Its telephoto lens provides greater versatility for zooming without significant loss of detail. While the A35's main camera is commendable for its segment, its ultrawide and macro lenses are less capable, and its low-light performance is not as strong as the S25 Plus.
  • Video and Audio: Both devices can record video at 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. The S25 Plus offers additional video features like Log file recording, providing more control for post-production. The S25 Plus generally provides superior microphone quality for recording and calls, and its stereo speakers offer a richer audio experience for media consumption compared to the A35.

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core features, several other elements contribute to the overall user experience and differentiate the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy S25 Plus.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy A35 supports 5G (sub-6GHz), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and features a USB-C 2.0 port. The Galaxy S25 Plus offers more advanced connectivity, including 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and a faster USB Type-C 3.2 port, along with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) support. These upgrades in the S25 Plus provide faster data transfer speeds and more robust wireless connections.
  • Biometric Security and Build: For security, the A35 uses an optical under-display fingerprint sensor. The S25 Plus employs a more advanced ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor, which is generally faster and more secure. In terms of physical construction, the A35 combines a glass front and back with a plastic frame, while the S25 Plus features a more premium Armor Aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, contributing to a more solid feel.
  • Dimensions and Handling: The Galaxy A35 measures 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm and weighs 209g. The Galaxy S25 Plus is slightly more compact and lighter at 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm and 190g, making it potentially more comfortable for one-handed use despite its large screen size.

Weight

209 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 A35 often highlights its strong display, reliable battery life, and solid performance for everyday tasks as key strengths. Some common criticisms include its camera performance in low-light conditions, the use of a plastic frame, and the presence of pre-installed software. The Galaxy S25 Plus receives praise for its exceptional performance, vibrant and sharp display, versatile camera system, and extended software support. While generally well-received, some users have noted mixed feelings about its camera post-processing and its similarity in design to previous generations.

Users prioritizing a device for general daily use, social media, media consumption, and moderate gaming, who value long battery life and a good display without needing the absolute latest in processing power or camera versatility, may find the Galaxy A35 well-suited to their needs. It offers a balanced experience for its segment.

Conversely, the Galaxy S25 Plus is ideal for power users, mobile photographers, avid gamers, and professionals who require top-tier performance, advanced camera capabilities, a premium build, and the longest possible software support. Its cutting-edge features and robust ecosystem integration cater to those who demand the most from their smartphone.

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

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