Galaxy A35 Vs Galaxy Z Flip5

Galaxy A35
Galaxy A35
Starting at

Refurbished price:£119.00

Versus £367.31 new

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Galaxy Z Flip5
Galaxy Z Flip5
Starting at

Refurbished price:£266.76

Versus £1,145.61 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5, launched in August 2023, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the A35 offers a traditional smartphone experience with a focus on core features, the Z Flip5 introduces a foldable form factor, providing a compact design when closed and a larger screen when unfolded. Both devices run on the Android operating system, offering access to a wide ecosystem of applications and services.

Scores

Durability

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

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy A35 is a newer device, having been released in March 2024, while the Galaxy Z Flip5 was released earlier, in August 2023. This difference in launch date means the A35 will inherently receive software updates for a slightly longer period.
  • Software Longevity: Both the Galaxy A35 and the Galaxy Z Flip5 are expected to receive four generations of Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates from their release dates. This commitment ensures a prolonged period of up-to-date features and security patches for both devices.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A35 features Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back, along with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy Z Flip5, with its foldable design, incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its cover screen and back, and Armor Aluminum for its frame, offering IPX8 water resistance. The foldable screen of the Z Flip5 is made of Ultra Thin Glass, which is covered by a plastic film.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy A35 has a repairability score of 8.4 out of 10, indicating it is relatively easy to repair. The Galaxy Z Flip5 has a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10, with improvements over its predecessor, partly due to the inclusion of battery pull tabs.

Year of Release

2024

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from app usage to multitasking and gaming. These two devices offer different levels of processing power and battery endurance.

  • Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy A35 is equipped with a processor that handles everyday applications and multitasking smoothly. Users report that it performs well for casual gaming, though pushing to high graphics settings may show some frame drops. The Galaxy Z Flip5 features a more powerful processor, designed to deliver a highly responsive experience for demanding applications and advanced multitasking.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A35 houses a larger battery capacity, which typically translates to extended usage times. Users often report that the A35 can last a full day of moderate to heavy use, and sometimes up to a day and a half with lighter usage. The Galaxy Z Flip5 has a smaller battery capacity, and while it benefits from an efficient processor, heavy users may find themselves needing to charge more frequently to last a full day.
  • Storage and RAM: The Galaxy A35 offers various configurations, including 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, with the added flexibility of a microSD card slot for expandable storage. The Galaxy Z Flip5 comes with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB or 512GB, but it does not support expandable storage.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

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

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy A35 features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy Z Flip5 has a 6.7-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X main screen when unfolded, offering a similar vibrant experience. Additionally, the Z Flip5 boasts a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover screen, which allows for quick interactions without opening the device.
  • Resolution and Clarity: Both devices offer Full HD+ resolutions, ensuring sharp and clear visuals for everyday viewing. The A35 has a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, while the Z Flip5's main screen is 1080 x 2640 pixels. The Z Flip5's cover screen has a resolution of 720 x 748 pixels.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both phones feature a 120Hz refresh rate on their main displays, contributing to smoother scrolling and a more fluid user experience. The Galaxy A35 can reach a peak brightness of 1000 nits, providing good visibility outdoors. The Galaxy Z Flip5's main screen can achieve a higher peak brightness of 1750 nits, enhancing outdoor visibility even further.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2640

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a significant consideration for many users, and these devices offer different photographic strengths.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy A35 is equipped with a triple-camera setup, including a 50 MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8 MP ultrawide lens, and a 5 MP macro lens. The Galaxy Z Flip5 features a dual-camera system on the rear, consisting of a 12 MP main camera with OIS and a 12 MP ultrawide camera.
  • Photography Performance: The A35's main camera is noted for capturing sharp, vibrant photos with good detail in daylight. Its ultrawide camera also performs reasonably well. The Z Flip5's cameras are praised for producing excellent photos with sharp details, vibrant colors, and good dynamic range, even in low-light conditions.
  • Video Recording: Both the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy Z Flip5 are capable of recording video in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second with their main cameras. The Z Flip5 also offers manual controls for video recording, which can be beneficial for users seeking more creative flexibility.
  • Front Camera: The Galaxy A35 has a 13 MP front-facing camera, which performs well with skin tones and offers a portrait mode. The Galaxy Z Flip5 features a 10 MP front camera, and its larger cover screen allows for high-quality selfies using the more capable rear cameras.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

10 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and differentiate these two smartphones.

  • Connectivity: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data speeds. The Galaxy A35 includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. The Galaxy Z Flip5 offers Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, providing potentially faster and more stable wireless connections.
  • Ports and Sensors: Both smartphones utilize a USB-C 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. Neither device includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. The Galaxy A35 features an under-display optical fingerprint sensor, while the Galaxy Z Flip5 has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy A35 has a traditional slate form factor with a glass back and a flat side frame, weighing 209g. The Galaxy Z Flip5's defining characteristic is its foldable design, allowing it to be compact when closed and expanding to a full-sized smartphone. It weighs 187g. The Z Flip5's hinge design allows it to fold completely flat, eliminating the gap seen in previous models.
  • Build Materials: The A35 uses a plastic frame with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back. The Z Flip5 features an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its cover screen and back, with an Ultra Thin Glass main screen.

Weight

209 g

187 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.7 /3.4

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Galaxy A35 often highlights its strong battery life, vibrant display, and capable main camera as significant advantages. Many users appreciate its smooth performance for everyday tasks and its overall value. Some common criticisms include the performance of the macro camera and occasional frame drops during graphically intensive gaming.

For the Galaxy Z Flip5, users frequently praise its compact, pocketable design when folded, the utility of its larger cover screen for quick interactions, and its robust performance. The camera system also receives positive remarks for its quality. However, some users express concerns about the durability of the foldable screen over time and the battery life for heavy usage.

Users prioritizing a traditional smartphone experience with a focus on extended battery life and a reliable camera system for general photography may find the Galaxy A35 well-suited to their needs. Its solid software support and repairability also contribute to its appeal for those seeking a practical device. Conversely, users who value a compact form factor, a unique design, and a highly responsive performance for demanding applications, along with the versatility of a cover screen, may lean toward the Galaxy Z Flip5. It offers a distinct user experience, particularly for those who enjoy the novelty and convenience of a foldable device.

For those considering either device, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide an eco-friendly alternative, extending the lifespan of these electronics.

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