Samsung Galaxy M35 vs. Galaxy A35: A Detailed Comparison

Samsung's mid-range offerings are becoming increasingly competitive, and the Galaxy M35 and A35 represent two compelling options. While both devices share the same Exynos 1380 chipset, they diverge in key areas like display brightness and battery performance, making the choice less straightforward than it appears. This comparison will dissect these differences to help you determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A35 emerges as the superior choice. Its significantly longer battery life – 12 hours and 26 minutes of active use – coupled with a brighter 1024 nit display, provides a more enjoyable and practical daily experience, despite sharing the same processor and charging speed as the M35.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M35 Samsung Galaxy A35
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 26, 28, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, May 242024, March 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, May 24Available. Released 2024, March 15
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back
Dimensions162.3 x 78.6 x 9.1 mm (6.39 x 3.09 x 0.36 in)161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm (6.37 x 3.07 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight222 g (7.83 oz)209 g (7.37 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetExynos 1380 (5 nm)Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MP5Mali-G68 MP5
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 16, One UI 8Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.96", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.96", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging25W wired25W wired
Type6000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDark Blue, Light Blue, GrayIceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon
ModelsSM-M356B, SM-M356B/DSSM-A356E, SM-A356E/DS, SM-A356B, SM-A356B/DS, SM-A356U, SM-A356U1
PriceAbout 200 EUR$ 138.00 / C$ 419.99 / £ 205.99 / € 259.99 / ₹ 18,299
SAR0.53 W/kg (head)0.81 W/kg (head)
SAR EU0.31 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)0.44 W/kg (head)     0.92 W/kg (body)

Samsung Galaxy M35

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Same Exynos 1380 performance as A35
  • Likely similar camera software

  • Expected lower display brightness
  • Likely shorter battery life
  • May lack some premium features of the A35

Samsung Galaxy A35

  • Significantly longer battery life (12:26h)
  • Brighter 1024 nit display
  • Potentially more refined software experience

  • Higher price compared to the M35
  • Same Exynos 1380 chipset – no performance gain
  • 25W charging is relatively slow

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A35 boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1024 nits. This is a significant advantage over the M35, which lacks published brightness data but is expected to be lower, making the A35 far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels for vibrant colors, the A35’s higher brightness translates to a superior viewing experience in all lighting conditions. We expect both to have FHD+ resolution, but the A35’s brightness is the clear differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the market positioning, we can infer that both phones will feature a multi-camera system with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens. The image processing style will likely be consistent across both devices, leaning towards Samsung’s typically vibrant and saturated look. The absence of information regarding sensor size and aperture makes it impossible to determine which phone will perform better in low-light conditions. We anticipate the A35 may receive slightly more advanced image processing features due to its higher price point.

Performance

Both the Galaxy M35 and A35 are powered by the Exynos 1380 (5nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means performance in everyday tasks and even moderate gaming will be virtually identical. The 5nm fabrication process offers a good balance of power efficiency, but sustained performance will depend on Samsung’s thermal management implementation. Given the identical chipset, the A35’s advantage in battery life isn’t due to processor efficiency, but rather the battery capacity and software optimization.

Battery Life

The Galaxy A35 shines in battery performance, achieving an active use score of 12 hours and 26 minutes. While the M35’s battery capacity is unknown, the A35’s endurance is a significant advantage. Both phones support 25W wired charging, meaning 0-100% charge times will be comparable, likely around 1 hour and 30 minutes. The A35’s longer battery life effectively mitigates the relatively slow charging speed, providing more flexibility for users who don’t want to be tethered to a charger frequently.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy M35 if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are willing to compromise on display brightness and battery endurance. It's a solid option for casual users who don't heavily rely on their phone throughout the day. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A35 if you value a vibrant, easily visible display and all-day battery life. This phone is ideal for users who stream videos, play games, or frequently use GPS navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1380 chip in either phone tend to overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1380 is a 5nm chip, which generally offers good thermal efficiency. However, sustained gaming will inevitably generate heat. Given the identical chipset and similar thermal design expectations, both the M35 and A35 will likely experience some throttling after prolonged gaming, but it shouldn't be severe enough to render the phones unusable.
❓ Is the 25W charging speed sufficient for these phones, or should I expect long charging times?
25W charging is relatively slow compared to some competitors offering 45W or 65W charging. Expect a full charge from 0-100% to take around 1 hour and 30 minutes. However, the Galaxy A35’s excellent battery life mitigates the impact of the slower charging speed, as you won’t need to top up as frequently.
❓ Will either phone struggle with demanding applications or multitasking?
Neither phone should struggle with typical daily tasks or moderate multitasking. The Exynos 1380, paired with adequate RAM (spec not provided, but likely 6GB or 8GB), is capable of handling most applications smoothly. However, extremely demanding apps or running numerous apps simultaneously may lead to some slowdown.