Galaxy A35 vs iPhone SE (2022)

The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, and the Apple iPhone SE (2022), launched in March 2022, are both smartphones designed to offer a balanced experience. While the Galaxy A35 operates on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, the iPhone SE (2022) runs on Apple's iOS. These devices present distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality, with the A35 featuring a modern, expansive display and the iPhone SE retaining a classic compact form factor with a physical home button.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical resilience. These two devices offer different profiles in terms of expected lifespan and repairability.

• Software Support: The Samsung Galaxy A35, launched with Android 14, is promised four generations of OS updates (up to Android 18) and five years of security updates, extending until 2029. The iPhone SE (2022), released with iOS 15, typically receives iOS updates for an estimated five to seven years from its launch, potentially until 2028-2030, with security updates continuing for a year or two beyond that.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy A35 features Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, contributing to its scratch resistance and overall build quality. It also carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone SE (2022) also boasts tougher glass on its front and back and an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance.
• 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 SE (2022) generally receives a repairability score in the range of 5.5 to 6 out of 10, suggesting that while some components like the battery and screen are manageable to replace, others require more effort and specialized tools.

Performance is a key differentiator, impacting how smoothly applications run and how efficiently daily tasks are handled. Both devices offer capable performance for their respective ecosystems.

• Processing Power: The iPhone SE (2022) is equipped with a powerful current-generation processor, enabling very fast performance for demanding applications, multitasking, and graphics-intensive games. The Galaxy A35 features a capable processor that handles everyday tasks smoothly, though some users have noted occasional minor lag when launching heavier applications or during extensive gaming sessions on higher settings.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy A35 typically comes with 8GB of RAM in some configurations, supporting efficient multitasking. It offers internal storage options of 128GB and 256GB, with the added flexibility of expandable storage via a microSD card. The iPhone SE (2022) includes 4GB of RAM, which, combined with iOS optimization, provides a responsive user experience. It is available with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of internal storage, without expandable options.
• Battery Endurance: The Galaxy A35 is powered by a 5000mAh battery, which generally provides a full day to a day and a half of moderate to heavy use for many users. The iPhone SE (2022) has a smaller battery capacity, and while it can last a full day for lighter users, heavy usage may necessitate more frequent charging.

The display is the primary interface for user interaction, and these two smartphones offer distinct visual experiences based on their screen technology and design.

• Display Technology and Size: The Samsung Galaxy A35 features a larger 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display, providing vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The iPhone SE (2022) utilizes a more compact 4.7-inch LCD display, which offers good color accuracy but does not match the contrast levels of an OLED panel.
• Resolution and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy A35 offers a Full HD+ resolution (2340x1080 pixels), resulting in a sharp and detailed image. Its 120Hz refresh rate contributes to smoother scrolling and a more fluid visual experience. The iPhone SE (2022) has an HD+ resolution (1334x750 pixels) and a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is adequate for everyday use but less fluid than higher refresh rate displays.
• Brightness and Viewing Experience: With a peak brightness of up to 1000 nits, the Galaxy A35's display remains clear and visible even in bright outdoor conditions. The larger screen size and minimal bezels of the A35 provide a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption. The iPhone SE (2022) has a smaller screen with noticeable bezels at the top and bottom, which some users find less immersive compared to modern full-screen designs.

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many users, and both devices offer different strengths in capturing photos and videos, as well as in their audio performance.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A35 features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50-megapixel main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 5-megapixel macro lens. Its main camera performs well in daylight, producing detailed and vibrant photos, though low-light performance can be less consistent. The iPhone SE (2022) has a single 12-megapixel rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture. It excels in good lighting conditions, delivering high-quality images with accurate colors, but it lacks features like a dedicated Night mode or the versatility of multiple lenses.
• Front Camera and Video Recording: For selfies, the Galaxy A35 includes a 13-megapixel front camera. Both its front and rear cameras are capable of recording video in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. The iPhone SE (2022) features a 7-megapixel front camera. Its rear camera is highly regarded for video quality, capable of recording 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, offering strong stabilization.
• Audio Experience: The Galaxy A35 generally offers good speaker output for media consumption. The iPhone SE (2022) provides a clear audio experience, typical of Apple devices, for calls and media playback.