Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially with so many options available. Today, we're pitting two Samsung devices against each other: the modern mid-ranger, the Galaxy A34, and the classic, the Galaxy S5 Neo. Let's see how these phones stack up.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A34 is the clear winner. While the S5 Neo holds a place in nostalgia, the A34's superior display, performance, camera, and battery life make it the more compelling choice for modern users. It's a significant upgrade across the board.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - G903F |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - G903F |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 29 - G903W |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 14 | 2015, August. Released 2015, August |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 24 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) | 142 x 72.5 x 8.1 mm (5.59 x 2.85 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~432 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | Exynos 7580 Octa (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-T720MP2 |
| OS | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/1.9, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Triple | 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, heart rate |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | ANT+
S-Voice |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | - |
| Music play | - | Up to 73 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 15 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 2800 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lime, Graphite, Violet, Silver | Black, Gray, Gold |
| Models | 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 | SM-G903F, SM-G903W, SM-G903M, SM-S903VL |
| Price | € 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999 | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 133h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 472126 (v9)
GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Battery (old) | Endurance rating 133h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | 1009 nits max brightness (measured) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -26.1 LUFS (Good) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 472126 (v9)
GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A34
- Excellent Battery Life
- Bright and Vibrant Display
- Modern Performance
- Improved Camera System
- Modern Features (5G, NFC)
- May be pricier than the S5 Neo
- Plastic Build (depending on model)
Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo
- Very Affordable
- Compact Size
- Simple and Easy to Use
- Outdated Performance
- Low-Resolution Display
- Basic Camera
- Limited Storage
- No 4G/5G
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A34 boasts a significantly brighter and more modern display. Its 1009 nits peak brightness is a huge advantage in sunlight, and the infinite contrast ratio provides richer colors and deeper blacks. The S5 Neo's display is adequate for its time, but pales in comparison by today's standards. It lacks the vibrancy and clarity of the A34.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A34's camera system is far more advanced. While specific camera specs aren't fully detailed, modern smartphone cameras generally offer superior image quality, features, and video recording capabilities. The S5 Neo's camera is functional but limited in its capabilities.
Performance
The A34's Mediatek Dimensity 1080 chipset is a world apart from the S5 Neo's Exynos 7580. The A34 offers noticeably faster processing speeds, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The S5 Neo can feel sluggish by comparison, especially when running modern apps.
Battery Life
The A34's endurance rating of 133h is exceptional, indicating outstanding battery life. The S5 Neo's battery life was decent for its time, but it's nowhere near the longevity of the A34. The A34 will easily last a full day, even with heavy usage.
Buying Guide
The Galaxy A34 is ideal for users seeking a reliable, modern smartphone with a good camera, long battery life, and a vibrant display. The Galaxy S5 Neo is best suited for those seeking a very basic, budget-friendly phone for calls and simple tasks, or those with a strong sentimental attachment to the device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy S5 Neo still usable in 2024?
Yes, the Galaxy S5 Neo can still make calls and send texts, but its outdated hardware limits its functionality. It struggles with modern apps and lacks essential features like 4G/5G.
❓ What is the biggest difference between the A34 and S5 Neo?
The biggest difference is the generational leap in technology. The A34 offers a modern chipset, a vibrant display, a better camera, and significantly longer battery life compared to the aging S5 Neo.
