Galaxy A35 vs Motorola Razr 40 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, is a traditional smartphone offering a balanced experience for everyday use. In contrast, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, launched in June 2023, presents a unique foldable design, prioritizing portability and a distinctive user interaction with its dual-screen setup. Both devices operate on the Android platform, but cater to different preferences in form factor and functionality.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors. The Galaxy A35, being a more recent release, benefits from a longer guaranteed software lifespan, while the Razr 40 Ultra, as a foldable, has specific considerations regarding its physical longevity.

• Software Support: The Samsung Galaxy A35 is expected to receive four major Android operating system upgrades and five years of security updates, extending its software relevance until approximately 2029. The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, released earlier, typically receives fewer major OS updates, which could mean a shorter period of new feature introductions compared to the A35.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy A35 features Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both its front and back, along with a plastic frame and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, offering robust protection against daily wear. The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus on its cover screen and a 7000-series aluminum frame with a stainless steel hinge, alongside an IP52 water-repellent design. While its hinge is generally reported to be durable over time, the cover screen has shown some vulnerability in extreme stress tests due to its construction.
• Expected Lifespan: Users of the Galaxy A35 can anticipate a practical lifespan supported by consistent software updates and a conventional, sturdy build. The Razr 40 Ultra's innovative foldable design, while offering unique benefits, introduces additional mechanical components that may influence its long-term physical resilience, though many users report the hinge holding up well.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from navigating applications to engaging with multimedia. Both the Galaxy A35 and the Razr 40 Ultra offer capable hardware, but their underlying architectures and real-world responsiveness differ.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy A35 is equipped with a processor that handles everyday applications and moderate gaming smoothly. While generally responsive, some users have noted occasional minor delays when navigating the operating system. The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra features a previous-generation flagship processor, which provides robust performance for demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphic-heavy games, ensuring a consistently fluid user experience.
• Multitasking and Storage: 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, which is a less common feature in modern smartphones. The Razr 40 Ultra comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage, providing ample space and memory for extensive multitasking without expandable storage.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A35 houses a 5000mAh battery, consistently delivering a full day of use for most users, and often extending to a day and a half with lighter usage. The Razr 40 Ultra, with its 3800mAh battery, offers good battery performance for a foldable device, often lasting a full day, partly due to the efficient use of its external display reducing the need to open the main screen.

The display is a primary interface for any smartphone, and both devices offer distinct visual experiences, with the Razr 40 Ultra featuring a unique dual-screen setup.

• Main Display Technology and Clarity: The Samsung Galaxy A35 features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 2340x1080 pixel resolution, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks for an immersive viewing experience. The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra's main internal display is a 6.9-inch pOLED panel with a 2640x1080 pixel resolution, offering sharp visuals and a flexible design with a minimal crease.
• Brightness and Smoothness: Both devices offer excellent brightness levels, with the Galaxy A35 reaching 1000 nits peak brightness, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions, including direct sunlight. The Razr 40 Ultra's main screen can reach up to 1400 nits peak brightness. Both phones feature a high refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations; the A35 has a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, while the Razr 40 Ultra's main display boasts an even higher 165Hz refresh rate.
• Unique External Display: A key differentiator for the Razr 40 Ultra is its large 3.6-inch pOLED cover screen, which has a 1066x1056 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. This external display is highly functional, allowing users to interact with apps, notifications, and widgets without opening the phone, enhancing convenience and potentially conserving main screen battery usage. The Galaxy A35 does not feature an external display.

Camera capabilities are a significant consideration for many users, and both smartphones offer different approaches to photography and video capture.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Samsung Galaxy A35 is equipped with a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. It generally produces vibrant and detailed photos in good lighting, with decent performance in low-light conditions when using night mode. The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra features a dual-camera system on its exterior, comprising a 12MP main sensor with OIS and a wide f/1.5 aperture, alongside a 13MP ultrawide lens that also functions for macro shots. It performs well in bright environments, but its low-light performance and consistency across lenses can be less impressive.
• Video Recording and Front Cameras: Both devices support 4K video recording at 30 frames per second from their main and front-facing cameras. The Galaxy A35 has a 13MP front camera, which captures clear selfies. The Razr 40 Ultra includes a 32MP internal selfie camera, and its large external display can be used as a viewfinder for taking high-quality selfies with the main rear cameras.
• Photography Experience: The Galaxy A35 offers a reliable and consistent photography experience for a wide range of scenarios, with its main camera being a strong performer. The Razr 40 Ultra's camera system, while capable for casual snaps, is generally considered to be good rather than exceptional, with its ultrawide lens sometimes producing less consistent results.