Galaxy A35 Vs Galaxy Z Fold5

Galaxy A35
Galaxy A35
Starting at

Refurbished price:210.00

Versus €429.00 new

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Galaxy Z Fold5
Galaxy Z Fold5
Starting at

Refurbished price:568.00

Versus €1,899.00 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, is a traditional smartphone offering a balanced experience, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, launched in August 2023, represents a premium foldable device with a unique form factor. These two devices cater to different user needs, primarily distinguished by their design philosophy and the innovative folding display of the Z Fold5. Both run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, providing a consistent software experience across the brand's ecosystem.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical resilience.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy A35 is a newer device, released in March 2024, giving it a slight advantage in terms of its starting point for software updates compared to the Galaxy Z Fold5, which launched in August 2023.
  • Software Longevity: Both devices are expected to receive four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates from their respective release dates. This means the Galaxy A35 will likely receive software support for a year longer than the Z Fold5, extending its practical lifespan for users who prioritize the latest software features and security patches.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A35 features Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its front and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, offering robust protection against everyday elements. The Galaxy Z Fold5, with its foldable design, uses Armor Aluminum for its frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its cover screen and back panel, alongside an IPX8 water resistance rating. The Z Fold5's redesigned hinge allows it to fold flat, enhancing its structural integrity. The Galaxy A35 has also received high repairability scores, ranging from 8.4 to 8.5 out of 10, indicating a relatively straightforward repair process for common issues.

Year of Release

2024

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy Z Fold5 differ significantly, reflecting their distinct market segments and design priorities.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy A35 is equipped with an octa-core processor designed for efficient daily use, handling typical applications and multitasking smoothly. The Galaxy Z Fold5 features a more advanced, optimized processor, delivering enhanced speed and efficiency for demanding applications, intensive gaming, and complex multitasking across its larger display.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy A35 offers 6GB or 8GB of RAM and storage options up to 256GB, expandable via microSD, suitable for most users' app and media needs. The Galaxy Z Fold5 comes with 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage, without microSD expansion, providing substantial capacity for power users and extensive app usage, particularly benefiting from its large, multi-window interface.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A35 houses a 5000mAh battery, offering extended usage, with users often reporting it lasting for a full day and a half with moderate use. The Galaxy Z Fold5 has a 4400mAh battery, which, despite being smaller, is optimized by its efficient processor to provide a full day of use for many users, especially with balanced usage between its two screens.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display experience is a primary differentiator between these two Samsung smartphones, with the Z Fold5 offering a unique foldable design.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A35 features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution (2340x1080 pixels), providing vibrant colors and clear visuals for everyday content consumption. The Galaxy Z Fold5 offers a dual-screen setup: a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover display and a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main foldable display. Both Z Fold5 screens offer higher resolutions (2316x904 for cover, 2176x1812 for main) and enhanced clarity, particularly noticeable on the larger inner screen for immersive viewing.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The Galaxy A35's display reaches a peak brightness of 1000 nits, offering good visibility in various lighting conditions. The Galaxy Z Fold5's displays can achieve a higher peak brightness of 1750 nits, providing superior outdoor visibility and a more dynamic visual experience.
  • Viewing Experience: The Galaxy A35 provides a traditional, expansive smartphone screen. The Galaxy Z Fold5's foldable main display transforms the device into a tablet-like experience, ideal for productivity, media consumption, and gaming, while its cover screen offers a convenient, one-handed smartphone experience when folded.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1812 x 2176

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Both the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy Z Fold5 offer versatile camera systems, though with different strengths and capabilities.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy A35 features a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens, capable of capturing detailed photos in good lighting and offering improved low-light performance with its enhanced NPU. The Galaxy Z Fold5 also has a triple rear camera system, including a 50MP main sensor with OIS and PDAF, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, providing greater versatility for different photographic scenarios, including distant subjects.
  • Front Camera and Video Quality: For selfies, the Galaxy A35 has a 13MP front camera. The Galaxy Z Fold5 features a 10MP front camera on its cover display and a 4MP under-display camera on its main screen, offering options for video calls and selfies in both folded and unfolded modes. Both devices can record video at 4K resolution at 30 frames per second with their main cameras, with the Z Fold5 additionally supporting 8K video recording with its rear camera.
  • Audio Experience: The Galaxy A35 includes stereo speakers for a more immersive audio experience during media playback. The Galaxy Z Fold5 also provides a robust audio experience, suitable for media consumption and calls, complementing its large display for entertainment.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

4 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements distinguish the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy Z Fold5 in daily use.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy A35 includes Bluetooth 5.3 and a USB Type-C port. The Galaxy Z Fold5 also features Bluetooth 5.3 and a USB Type-C 3.2 port, offering faster data transfer speeds, along with Wi-Fi 6E for enhanced wireless performance.
  • Biometrics and Security: The Galaxy A35 incorporates an under-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The Galaxy Z Fold5 utilizes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Both devices benefit from Samsung Knox security features, providing robust protection for sensitive data.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy A35 has a traditional slate form factor with a glass back and flat sides, weighing 209g. The Galaxy Z Fold5, as a foldable, has distinct dimensions when folded (154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4mm) and unfolded (154.9 x 130.1 x 6.1mm), weighing 253g. Its folded state offers a compact, narrow profile for one-handed use, while unfolded, it provides a larger, tablet-like canvas.

Weight

209 g

253 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

7.6

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy A35 and Galaxy Z Fold5 cater to distinct user preferences, each excelling in different areas. The Galaxy A35 is often praised for its robust battery life, vibrant display, and reliable camera performance for its category. Users appreciate its solid build quality with IP67 water and dust resistance, making it a durable choice for everyday use. Some common criticisms might include its gaming performance not matching higher-end devices and the absence of wireless charging.

The Galaxy Z Fold5 receives acclaim for its innovative foldable design, offering a large, immersive display for productivity and media consumption, alongside a convenient outer screen. Its powerful processor ensures smooth performance across demanding tasks and multitasking. User feedback often highlights the benefits of its unique form factor for enhanced usability. Potential concerns sometimes revolve around the visible crease on the main display and its overall weight compared to traditional smartphones.

Users prioritizing a long-lasting battery, a durable traditional smartphone design, and consistent performance for daily tasks may find the Galaxy A35 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users who value a versatile, large screen experience for multitasking, immersive media, and advanced performance, and are drawn to innovative form factors, will likely lean toward the Galaxy Z Fold5. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers seeking to make a sustainable choice.

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