Galaxy A35 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched in January 2024, represent distinct segments within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both operate on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, they cater to different user expectations through their core specifications and feature sets. The S24 Ultra stands as a premium flagship device, offering advanced capabilities, whereas the A35 is positioned as a capable mid-range option.

Evaluating the long-term usability of a smartphone involves considering its release timeline, software support, and physical resilience.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, is slated to receive four generations of Android OS updates and five years of security updates. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched in January 2024, benefits from an extended commitment of seven years of both OS and security updates. This difference means the S24 Ultra will maintain software currency and security protections for a significantly longer period.
• Repairability and Durability: The Galaxy S24 Ultra has demonstrated a high repairability score, with components like the battery designed for easier replacement, though screen removal can be intricate. It features a titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Armor for enhanced physical durability. The Galaxy A35, while not having a specific repairability score widely publicised, incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its display and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, offering a good level of protection for its category.
• Expected Practical Lifespan: Users prioritising the longest possible software support and cutting-edge physical resilience will find the S24 Ultra better suited for extended use. The A35 offers a commendable lifespan for a mid-range device, providing ample software updates and robust build quality for several years of practical use.

The performance of these devices is largely determined by their internal components, impacting everything from app responsiveness to demanding tasks.

• Processing Power and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S24 Ultra is equipped with a high-performance processor designed for intensive tasks, ensuring smooth operation, rapid app loading, and seamless multitasking even with demanding applications and graphics-heavy games. Users will experience virtually no lag or slowdowns. The Galaxy A35 features a capable processor that handles everyday tasks, browsing, and social media smoothly. While it performs well for general use and can manage games on medium to high settings, there might be a slight delay when launching the camera or capturing screenshots compared to more powerful devices.
• Multitasking and Storage: The S24 Ultra comes with a substantial amount of RAM, facilitating effortless switching between numerous applications and maintaining performance under heavy loads. It offers generous internal storage options, though it does not support expandable storage. The A35 typically includes sufficient RAM for common multitasking needs and offers internal storage options that can be expanded using a microSD card, providing flexibility for users who require additional space for media and files.
• Battery Behavior: Both devices feature a 5000mAh battery capacity. The S24 Ultra's battery is optimised for its powerful hardware, providing long-lasting usage even with its high-resolution display and advanced features, and supports faster wired and wireless charging. The A35 also offers strong battery life, often lasting a full day or more with moderate use, and supports 25W wired charging, though it lacks wireless charging capabilities.

The visual experience is a key differentiator, with both devices offering vibrant displays tailored to their respective categories.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Galaxy A35 and S24 Ultra feature Super AMOLED or Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for deep blacks and vibrant colours. The S24 Ultra boasts a larger 6.8-inch display with a significantly higher QHD+ resolution (1440x3120 pixels), providing exceptional sharpness and detail. The A35 has a 6.6-inch display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080x2340 pixels), which offers clear and vibrant visuals for everyday viewing.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The S24 Ultra features an impressive peak brightness of up to 2600 nits and an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate (LTPO), ensuring excellent outdoor visibility and incredibly smooth scrolling and animations. It also includes an anti-glare coating for improved viewing in bright conditions. The A35 offers a 120Hz refresh rate and a high brightness mode of 1000 nits, providing a smooth experience and good visibility in most lighting conditions, though it may not match the S24 Ultra's performance in direct sunlight.
• Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The S24 Ultra's larger screen and higher resolution make it ideal for immersive media consumption, detailed work, and gaming. The A35's slightly smaller but still expansive display offers a comfortable viewing experience for general use, making it suitable for browsing, social media, and casual video watching.

Camera capabilities vary significantly between these two models, reflecting their different design philosophies and target users.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, a 10MP 3x telephoto, and a 50MP 5x periscope telephoto lens. This configuration allows for exceptional detail, flexible zoom options, and strong performance across various lighting conditions, including improved low-light telephoto shots. The Galaxy A35 comes with a triple-camera system: a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilisation, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens. Its main camera performs well in good lighting, producing detailed and vibrant images, but the ultrawide and macro lenses are more functional than exceptional, and low-light performance is generally adequate.
• Front Camera and Video Recording: The S24 Ultra has a 12MP front camera with PDAF, capable of high-quality selfies and 4K video recording at 60fps. It supports 8K video recording at 30fps with its main and 5x telephoto cameras, and 4K at up to 120fps in Pro Video mode, offering excellent stabilisation. The A35 features a 13MP front camera and can record 4K video at 30fps from both its main and front cameras. While suitable for video calls and casual recording, it does not offer the same advanced video features or low-light performance as the S24 Ultra.
• Audio and Media Consumption: Both devices offer stereo speakers. The S24 Ultra provides a high-quality audio experience, suitable for media consumption. The A35's stereo speakers deliver above-average sound quality that is sufficiently loud, though some users report it can sound slightly muffled. Neither device includes a 3.5mm headphone jack.