Galaxy A35 vs Galaxy S21 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, launched in January 2021, represent distinct offerings within Samsung's smartphone portfolio. While both devices operate on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, they cater to varying user expectations through their hardware and feature sets. The A35 offers a more recent release with extended software longevity, whereas the S21 5G, a former flagship, provides a more advanced camera system and a more compact form factor.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support are key factors.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy A35, being a newer device, benefits from a longer period of guaranteed Android OS updates and security patches, typically receiving four years of OS updates and five years of security updates from its March 2024 release. The Galaxy S21 5G, released in January 2021, has already received several major OS updates and will have a shorter remaining support window compared to the A35.
• Durability Features: The Galaxy A35 features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its front display for enhanced scratch resistance and has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S21 5G offers an IP68 rating, providing slightly better protection against dust and water immersion, and uses Gorilla Glass Victus on its front.
• Build Materials: The A35 incorporates a glass front and back with a plastic frame. The S21 5G features an aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and a plastic back for the standard model.

The performance of a smartphone is largely determined by its internal components and how efficiently they handle daily tasks and demanding applications.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 5G, equipped with a former flagship-grade processor, generally offers significantly faster and more capable performance for gaming and multitasking compared to the A35. The A35's processor handles regular tasks smoothly, but some users report occasional stutters with animations.
• Multitasking and App Handling: The S21 5G excels in handling demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, making it well-suited for power users. The A35 performs well for everyday tasks and social media, and can handle casual gaming on lower to mid-graphics settings.
• Storage and RAM: Both devices offer 8GB RAM configurations, but the S21 5G does not support expandable storage via a microSD card, limiting users to its internal storage options. The A35, however, supports microSD card expansion up to 1TB.

The display is a primary interface for user interaction, and both devices offer vibrant viewing experiences with some key differences.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy A35 features a larger 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display, providing more screen real estate. The Galaxy S21 5G offers a more compact 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. Both display types are known for vibrant colors and deep blacks.
• Resolution and Clarity: Both phones feature Full HD+ resolutions, with the S21 5G having a slightly higher pixel density due to its smaller screen size, which can make fine text and details appear a bit sharper.
• Brightness and Smoothness: Both displays offer a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. The Galaxy A35 reaches a peak brightness of 1000 nits in High Brightness Mode, ensuring good outdoor visibility. The S21 5G's display is also noted for its brightness and clarity.

Camera capabilities are a primary consideration for many users, and both devices offer distinct photographic experiences.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy A35 features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens. The Galaxy S21 5G boasts a more versatile triple-camera system, including a 12MP wide-angle lens with OIS, a 64MP telephoto lens offering 3x hybrid optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens.
• Photography Performance: User reports indicate that the A35's main camera performs well in daylight, producing vibrant and detailed images, though its ultrawide camera can be underwhelming. The S21 5G's camera system generally provides better photo quality, especially in low light, and its dedicated telephoto lens offers greater flexibility for zooming without significant loss of detail.
• Video Recording: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at 30 frames per second (fps) with their main cameras. The S21 5G also offers 8K video recording at 24fps, a feature not present on the A35. For selfies and video calls, the A35 has a 13MP front camera, while the S21 5G features a 10MP front camera.