Oppo A55s vs A35: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Oppo A35 and A55s represent Oppo's approach to the budget smartphone market, but cater to slightly different needs. The A35 prioritizes efficiency with its Helio P35 chipset, while the A55s aims for a more responsive experience with the more modern Dimensity 700. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your daily usage.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Oppo A55s is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the A35’s Helio P35, making it better suited for multitasking, gaming, and future-proofing. While both phones share the same 10W charging, the A55s’ efficiency gains offset this limitation.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo A35 Oppo A55s
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 28, 41, 77, 78
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA 800
Launch
Announced2021, April 142022, April 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, April 26Available. Released 2022, April 18
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions164 x 75.4 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.31 in)163.9 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight177 g (6.24 oz)186 g (6.56 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 480 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 480 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 10, ColorOS 7.2Android 11, ColorOS 11.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired10W wired
TypeLi-Po 4230 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, BlueBlack, Blue, Gold
ModelsPEHM00, PEFM00CPH2309
Price-About 160 EUR

Oppo A35

  • Potentially longer battery life during light use due to the efficient Helio P35.
  • Lower price point (likely) making it more accessible.
  • Simple and straightforward user experience for basic tasks.

  • Significantly slower performance compared to the A55s.
  • Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps.
  • Less future-proof due to the older chipset.

Oppo A55s

  • Much faster performance thanks to the Dimensity 700 chipset.
  • Smoother multitasking and gaming experience.
  • More efficient chipset for comparable battery life.
  • Better ISP for improved image processing.

  • 10W charging is slow.
  • May have slightly shorter battery life during heavy use compared to the A35.
  • Potentially higher price point.

Display Comparison

Neither Oppo provides display specifications beyond size in their marketing materials. However, given the price points, both likely utilize LCD panels. The key difference lies in the processing power available to drive the display; the A55s’ Dimensity 700 will handle more complex graphics and animations with greater fluidity. Bezels are expected to be similar, reflecting the budget nature of both devices. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong point on either model.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature similar primary camera sensors, with the A55s potentially benefiting from the Dimensity 700’s improved image signal processor (ISP). This ISP can enhance image quality through better noise reduction and dynamic range. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

The performance gap between these two devices is significant. The Oppo A55s’ Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a 7nm process, is a substantial upgrade over the A35’s 12nm Mediatek Helio P35. The Dimensity 700’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – offers a considerable advantage in both single-core and multi-core performance compared to the A35’s 4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the A55s. The 7nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

Both the Oppo A35 and A55s feature 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow by today’s standards. The A35’s Helio P35 is more power-efficient, potentially leading to longer battery life during light usage. However, the A55s’ Dimensity 700, despite being more powerful, is also built on a more efficient process node, mitigating some of the power consumption difference. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the A55s’ superior processing power allows for more efficient task completion, potentially reducing overall screen-on time.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo A35 if you primarily need a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and prioritize maximizing battery life on a single charge. Buy the Oppo A55s if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience, enjoy mobile gaming occasionally, or anticipate using more demanding apps. The A55s is the better investment for users who want a phone that will remain usable for longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Oppo A55s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the A55s is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with playable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it's a significant improvement over the A35 and allows for casual gaming without significant lag.
❓ Is the 10W charging on either phone a major drawback?
Yes, 10W charging is quite slow compared to modern standards. Expect a full charge to take over 2 hours. However, the A55s’ more efficient chipset means you may not need to charge it as frequently, mitigating the impact of the slow charging speed.
❓ How much of a difference will I notice in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
You'll notice a substantial difference. The A55s’ Dimensity 700 will make app loading times faster, scrolling smoother, and multitasking more responsive. The A35 will feel noticeably slower and may struggle with multiple apps open simultaneously.
❓ Does the Oppo A55s support 5G connectivity?
Yes, a key feature of the Mediatek Dimensity 700 is integrated 5G modem support. The Oppo A55s can connect to 5G networks, offering significantly faster data speeds where available, while the A35 is limited to 4G.