Galaxy A35 vs iPhone 15

Galaxy A35
Galaxy A35
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iPhone 15
iPhone 15
Starting at

Refurbished price:A$680.00

Versus A$1,249.00 new

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The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, and the Apple iPhone 15, launched in September 2023, are both contemporary smartphones offering distinct experiences. While the Galaxy A35 operates on the Android platform, the iPhone 15 runs on iOS, presenting fundamental differences in user interface and ecosystem. Key differentiators between these two devices include their display technologies, overall performance capabilities, and camera systems, catering to varied user preferences.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, both offer substantial software support and robust build quality, though with different approaches.

  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy A35 ships with Android 14 and is slated to receive four major OS updates, extending its support to Android 18, along with five years of security updates until 2029. The iPhone 15, launched with iOS 17, typically benefits from Apple's longer software support, often receiving 5 to 7 years of iOS updates.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A35 features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front, a glass back, and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. The iPhone 15 boasts a Ceramic Shield front cover, a color-infused glass back, and an aluminum frame, coupled with an IP68 rating, allowing for immersion in up to 6 meters of water for 30 minutes.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy A35 has a repairability score of 8.4 out of 10, indicating a relatively straightforward repair process with good spare parts availability. The iPhone 15, while showing improvements over previous models, has a repairability score of 7 out of 10, reflecting some challenges for independent repairs due to component pairing.

Release year

2024

2023

Operating system

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone significantly impacts daily usage, from launching applications to handling demanding tasks.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy A35 provides stable day-to-day performance, handling typical tasks like browsing and multitasking smoothly. Users generally find it capable for moderate gaming, though some reports indicate occasional slowdowns when opening apps or switching between them. The iPhone 15 offers a high level of performance, ensuring applications load quickly and multitasking remains fluid, even with more intensive usage.
  • Demanding Applications and Gaming: For graphically intensive games and demanding applications, the iPhone 15 provides a more robust and consistent experience, offering substantial processing headroom. The Galaxy A35 can manage heavy titles with adjusted graphics settings, but it may not deliver the same level of sustained high performance.
  • Storage and Multitasking: The Galaxy A35 is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, with the added benefit of expandable storage via a microSD card up to 1TB. The iPhone 15 comes with 6GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB, but does not offer expandable storage.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience is a primary consideration for many users, and both devices offer vibrant displays with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy A35 features a larger 6.6-inch Super AMOLED Infinity-O display, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. The iPhone 15 has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, known for its precise color accuracy and contrast.
  • Resolution and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy A35 offers a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, which contributes to fluid scrolling and animations. The iPhone 15 features a higher resolution of 2556 x 1179 pixels, resulting in a sharper image, but it operates at a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy A35 reaches a peak brightness of 1000 nits in High Brightness Mode, with a Vision Booster feature designed to enhance outdoor visibility. The iPhone 15 offers a typical brightness of 1000 nits, a peak HDR brightness of 1600 nits, and an impressive peak outdoor brightness of 2000 nits, making it highly visible in direct sunlight.

Resolution

1080x2340

1179 x 2556

Audiovisual

For capturing moments, both smartphones are equipped with capable camera systems, each with its own strengths.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A35 features a triple rear camera setup, including a 50-megapixel main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 5-megapixel macro lens. The iPhone 15 comes with an advanced dual-camera system, featuring a 48-megapixel main camera with sensor-shift OIS and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera. The main camera can also achieve a 2x telephoto effect through sensor cropping.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy A35's main camera is noted for producing detailed shots with good dynamic range and accurate color reproduction in well-lit conditions, and it offers an impressive night mode. The iPhone 15 excels in overall image processing, delivering consistent results across various lighting conditions, with strong low-light performance and advanced portrait capabilities.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording, with the Galaxy A35 capable of 30 frames per second (fps) and the iPhone 15 offering up to 60 fps. For selfies, the Galaxy A35 has a 13-megapixel front camera, while the iPhone 15 features a 12-megapixel front camera with autofocus.

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3 for modern wireless connectivity. They both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, though the iPhone 15's USB-C port supports USB 2.0 speeds for data.
  • Biometrics and Unique Features: The Galaxy A35 incorporates an under-display optical fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 15 relies on Face ID for biometric authentication and features the Dynamic Island, an interactive area around the front camera cutout that displays alerts and activities. The iPhone 15 also includes satellite connectivity for emergency services.
  • Battery and Design: The Galaxy A35 houses a larger 5000mAh battery with 25W wired fast charging, but lacks wireless charging. The iPhone 15 has a smaller battery capacity but supports 20W wired fast charging, as well as MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging. In terms of physical design, the iPhone 15 is more compact and lighter, measuring 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm and weighing 171g, compared to the Galaxy A35's 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm and 209g.

Weight

209 oz

171 oz

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.1

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy A35 often highlights its impressive battery life, capable of lasting a full day or more for many users, and its vibrant Super AMOLED display. The main camera is generally praised for producing good quality photos in daylight, and the commitment to several years of software updates is a positive point for an Android device in its category. However, some users have noted that its performance can occasionally feel less responsive, particularly when handling more demanding applications or switching between multiple apps, and the ultrawide and macro cameras are considered average.

The iPhone 15 is frequently lauded for its powerful performance, ensuring a consistently smooth and responsive user experience across all tasks, from everyday browsing to intensive gaming. Its main camera system receives high marks for image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions, and its display offers exceptional brightness for outdoor viewing. While initial concerns about overheating were reported, these were largely addressed through software updates. Some users also point to its repairability score, which, while improved, is still lower than some Android counterparts.

Users prioritizing a larger, high-refresh-rate display, extended battery life, and the flexibility of expandable storage may find the Samsung Galaxy A35 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, those who value a more compact device, top-tier processing power for demanding applications, advanced video recording capabilities, and the integrated iOS ecosystem will likely lean towards the iPhone 15. Both devices offer compelling features for different user profiles, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can provide an eco-friendly alternative for making an informed choice.

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