Galaxy A35 Vs iPhone 17

Galaxy A35
Galaxy A35
Starting at

Refurbished price:£119.00

Versus £367.31 new

See options
iPhone 17
iPhone 17
Starting at

Refurbished price:£688.00

Versus £799.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, and the iPhone 17, launched in late 2025, represent distinct offerings within the smartphone market. The Galaxy A35 operates on the Android platform, providing a feature-rich experience, while the iPhone 17 runs on Apple's iOS, known for its integrated ecosystem. This comparison will explore the practical differences between these two devices, focusing on aspects that influence daily usage and long-term satisfaction.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its physical resilience and the duration of software support it receives. Both devices offer robust build quality and commitment to updates, though their timelines differ.

  • Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, is expected to receive four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its software relevance for a considerable period. The iPhone 17, released in late 2025, benefits from Apple's typically longer software support, often spanning five to seven years from its launch, ensuring extended access to the latest iOS features and security enhancements.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A35 features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its front display and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion in up to 1 meter of freshwater for 30 minutes. The iPhone 17 is rated IP68, offering protection in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes, and typically includes Apple's Ceramic Shield front cover for enhanced drop performance.
  • Repairability and Practical Lifespan: While specific repairability scores vary, both manufacturers design their devices with a balance of durability and serviceability. The Galaxy A35's expected lifespan is bolstered by its multi-year software commitment, making it a viable option for users seeking a device to last several years. The iPhone 17's extended software support and premium build materials generally contribute to a longer practical lifespan for users who prefer to keep their devices for an extended duration.

Year of Release

2024

2025

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance in a smartphone translates directly to how smoothly applications run, how quickly tasks are completed, and the overall responsiveness of the user interface. Both devices are engineered to deliver capable performance within their respective ecosystems.

  • Processing Power and Responsiveness: The Galaxy A35 is powered by an octa-core processor, which handles everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and email smoothly. It provides a balanced performance for typical smartphone usage, ensuring a responsive experience. The iPhone 17 features a current-generation A-series chip, designed for faster app performance, smoother multitasking, and improved energy efficiency. This processor ensures demanding applications, complex games, and advanced AI features run without lag.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy A35 is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, supporting efficient multitasking for most users. Storage options include 128GB and 256GB, with expandable storage via a microSD card slot, offering flexibility for media and applications. The iPhone 17 typically comes with 8GB of RAM and offers various internal storage configurations, starting from 256GB, providing ample space for apps, photos, and videos without external expansion.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A35 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, designed to last through a full day of extensive usage, with some reports indicating up to 1.5 days of regular use. It supports 25W wired fast charging. The iPhone 17 features a battery around 3,692mAh, with its efficient processor and optimized software contributing to a full day of typical activity for most users. It also supports fast charging.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer vibrant and clear viewing experiences, though with differing technologies and characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A35 features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), providing vivid colors and deep blacks. The iPhone 17 boasts a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2622 x 1206 pixels at 460 pixels per inch, offering sharp details and excellent contrast.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy A35's display offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations, and can reach up to 1,000 nits of brightness in High Brightness Mode (HBM) for clear outdoor visibility. The iPhone 17 also features ProMotion technology with an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, ensuring fluid visuals. Its display can achieve 1,000 nits typical brightness, 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness, and up to 3,000 nits peak outdoor brightness, enhancing readability in bright sunlight.
  • Viewing Experience: The larger screen of the Galaxy A35 provides an expansive canvas for media consumption and multitasking. The iPhone 17's display, while slightly smaller, offers exceptional color accuracy and brightness, making it well-suited for detailed content creation and viewing in various lighting conditions. Both displays provide a high-quality visual experience, with the choice often coming down to preference for screen size and ecosystem.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

2622x1206

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Super Retina XDR

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many users, and both the Galaxy A35 and iPhone 17 offer advanced systems for capturing photos and videos, each with its own strengths.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A35 features a triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 5MP macro camera. It performs well in daylight, producing vivid and detailed images, and offers improved low-light performance with its enhanced sensor. The iPhone 17 is equipped with a 48MP Dual Fusion camera system, comprising a 48MP main lens with sensor-shift optical image stabilization and a 48MP ultra-wide lens. This system is designed for high-resolution photos and strong performance across various lighting conditions.
  • Photography Features and Video Quality: The Galaxy A35's main camera supports 2x digital zoom and can record 4K video at 30 frames per second (fps). Its portrait mode offers good edge detection. The iPhone 17's camera system provides 2x optical zoom in and out, with up to 10x digital zoom. It supports 4K Dolby Vision video recording at various frame rates, including Cinematic mode and Action mode, offering advanced video capabilities.
  • Front-Facing Camera: For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy A35 has a 13MP front-facing camera that can record 4K video at 30fps. The iPhone 17 features an upgraded 18MP front-facing camera, designed to capture high-quality selfies and improve video calls.

Main camera

50 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

18 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience, from connectivity to physical design.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data speeds. The Galaxy A35 includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, along with a USB Type-C 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 17 also features advanced Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards and is equipped with a USB-C port, aligning with modern connectivity trends.
  • Biometric Security and Design: The Galaxy A35 incorporates an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. Its design features a flat side frame and a glass back, with dimensions of 161.7 x 78.0 x 8.2 mm and a weight of 209g. The iPhone 17 relies on Face ID for biometric authentication, integrated within its Dynamic Island. It has a slightly larger display than its predecessor, measuring 149.6 mm in height, 71.5 mm in width, and 7.95 mm in depth, weighing 177 grams.
  • Additional Features: The Galaxy A35 includes stereo speakers for an enhanced audio experience. The iPhone 17 integrates Apple Intelligence, offering advanced AI capabilities across its apps and experiences, and features an Action button for customizable shortcuts.

Weight

209 g

177 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.3

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy A35 and iPhone 17 cater to different user preferences and priorities. The Galaxy A35 is often praised by users for its vibrant Super AMOLED display, reliable battery life, and consistent software update policy, making it a strong contender for those seeking a capable Android device for everyday use. Some users note that its low-light photography could be improved, and its charging speed is not the fastest available.

The iPhone 17, building on Apple's legacy, is expected to be lauded for its powerful performance, advanced camera system, and the seamless integration of its iOS ecosystem. Users typically appreciate the long-term software support and the premium feel of Apple devices. Potential considerations for some users might include its reliance on Face ID as the sole biometric option and the absence of expandable storage.

Users who prioritize an expansive, high-refresh-rate display, long battery life, and the flexibility of the Android ecosystem with expandable storage may find the Galaxy A35 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals who value cutting-edge processing power, advanced computational photography, a highly integrated software experience, and extended software longevity will likely lean towards the iPhone 17. Both devices offer compelling features, and choosing between them often comes down to a preference for operating system, specific camera capabilities, and overall ecosystem integration. For those considering an eco-friendly alternative, quality-assured refurbished options for both models can provide a sustainable choice.

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