Samsung's A-series continues to dominate the budget and mid-range smartphone space. The A22 5G, released earlier, offered a compelling entry point to 5G connectivity. Now, the A34 arrives with a more refined design, a brighter display, and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A34 is the superior choice. Its significantly brighter display, faster processor, and improved battery endurance justify the price premium. However, the A22 5G remains a viable option for those prioritizing affordability and already satisfied with its performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 03 | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 24 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 76.4 x 9 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI core 5 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1152p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, White, Mint, Violet | Lime, Graphite, Violet, Silver |
| Models | SM-A226B, SM-A226B/DS, SM-A226B/DSN, SM-A226BR, SM-A226BR/N, SM-A226L, SC-56B | SM-A346E, SM-A346B, SM-A346B/DS, SM-A346B/DSN, SM-A346E/DS, SM-A346E/DSN, SM-A346M, SM-A346M/N, SM-A346M/DSN, SM-A3460 |
| Price | £ 92.00 / € 125.99 | € 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999 |
| SAR EU | 0.73 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 118h
|
Endurance rating 133h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1631:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.5 LUFS (Average)
|
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 242155 (v8), 223188 (v9)
GeekBench: 6913 (v4.4), 1719 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 472126 (v9)
GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
- More affordable price point
- Excellent battery endurance (118h)
- Functional 5G connectivity
- Dimmer display, poor outdoor visibility
- Less powerful processor, slower performance
Samsung Galaxy A34
- Brighter, more vibrant display (1009 nits)
- Faster processor for smoother performance
- Faster 25W charging
- Higher price tag
- Slightly lower battery endurance rating (though offset by efficiency)
Display Comparison
The A34 boasts a substantially brighter display, reaching 1009 nits compared to the A22 5G’s 385 nits. This translates to significantly improved visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the A22 5G has a measured contrast ratio of 1631:1, the A34 claims an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting a superior OLED panel (likely with perfect blacks). This difference in panel technology will be immediately noticeable in content consumption, with richer colors and deeper blacks on the A34.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed sensor information is absent. However, given Samsung’s typical approach, the A34 likely features a more advanced camera system. The A34’s processor has a more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) which will improve image processing, especially in low-light conditions. While both phones likely include standard features like scene optimization, the A34’s superior processing power will allow for more sophisticated algorithms and better overall image quality. We can assume the A34 will have better video stabilization and potentially support higher resolution recording.
Performance
The A34’s Mediatek Dimensity 1080, fabricated on a 6nm process, represents a clear upgrade over the A22 5G’s Dimensity 700 (7nm). The A34’s CPU features faster Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.6 GHz versus the A22 5G’s 2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. This architectural and clock speed improvement results in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both phones utilize an octa-core configuration, the A34 will handle demanding tasks and gaming with greater ease. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The A34 offers a slightly improved endurance rating of 133 hours compared to the A22 5G’s 118 hours. This, combined with the more efficient 6nm Dimensity 1080 chipset, suggests better real-world battery life on the A34. Furthermore, the A34 supports 25W wired charging, a significant step up from the A22 5G’s 15W charging. This faster charging will reduce the time required to replenish the battery, offering greater convenience for users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G if you need a functional 5G phone on a very tight budget and prioritize long battery life over raw performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A34 if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display, smoother multitasking, and faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 1080 in the A34 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 1080, built on a 6nm process, is generally more thermally efficient than the Dimensity 700 in the A22 5G. While some heat generation is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the A34 is less likely to experience significant throttling, maintaining smoother frame rates for longer periods.
❓ Is the camera on the A34 a substantial upgrade over the A22 5G, even without specific sensor details?
Yes. The A34 benefits from a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP) integrated within the Dimensity 1080 chipset. This translates to improved image processing, better low-light performance, and potentially more sophisticated camera features like enhanced stabilization and dynamic range.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the A34 compared to the 15W charging on the A22 5G?
While exact charge times depend on various factors, the A34’s 25W charging will significantly reduce the time to reach 100%. Expect a roughly 40-50% faster charging speed, allowing you to quickly top up your battery when needed.
