Galaxy A35 Vs Google Pixel 7A

Galaxy A35
Galaxy A35
Starting at

Refurbished price:206.00

Versus €431.43 new

See options
Google Pixel 7A
Google Pixel 7A
Starting at

Refurbished price:177.00

Versus €649.99 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, and the Google Pixel 7A, launched in May 2023, are both Android smartphones designed to offer a balanced experience for everyday users. While both devices operate on the Android platform, they present distinct approaches to hardware and software integration. The Galaxy A35 emphasizes a larger, smoother display and extended battery capacity, whereas the Pixel 7A focuses on advanced computational photography and a highly optimized software experience.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors. The Galaxy A35, being the newer device, benefits from a more recent starting point for its update cycle, while the Pixel 7A, though slightly older, still offers a robust support period.

  • Software Longevity: The Samsung Galaxy A35 is expected to receive four years of Android operating system updates and five years of security updates from its release, launching with Android 14. The Google Pixel 7A, launched with Android 13, is typically supported with three major OS updates and five years of security updates. This means the A35 will likely receive OS updates for a longer duration.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A35 features Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its front display, offering enhanced scratch and drop resistance, while the Pixel 7A uses Gorilla Glass 3. Both devices carry an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in up to one meter of fresh water for 30 minutes.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy A35 has received a repairability score of 8.4 out of 10 in some assessments, highlighting good component availability and ease of battery replacement. The Pixel 7A initially scored 4/10 on the iFixit repairability scale, later uprated to 5/10, with genuine parts available for DIY repairs for some components.

Year of Release

2024

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone significantly impacts daily interactions, from launching applications to managing multiple tasks. Both the Galaxy A35 and Pixel 7A are equipped to handle common usage scenarios, but they achieve this through different hardware philosophies.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Google Pixel 7A is powered by a processor designed for efficient AI and machine learning tasks, contributing to a consistently smooth and responsive user experience across applications and system navigation. The Galaxy A35 utilizes a processor that capably handles daily applications and multitasking, though some users have noted occasional minor delays when opening certain apps.
  • Multitasking and Storage: Both devices come with 8GB of RAM in their standard configurations, providing ample capacity for running multiple applications simultaneously. The Galaxy A35 offers storage options of 128GB or 256GB and includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage up to 1TB, a feature not present on the Pixel 7A, which is limited to 128GB of internal storage.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A35 features a larger 5000 mAh battery, often providing up to 1.5 to 2 days of use on a single charge for moderate users. The Pixel 7A, with its 4385 mAh battery, typically offers a full day of use, with some tests showing around 10 hours of screen-on time.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone users, and both the Galaxy A35 and Pixel 7A offer vibrant viewing experiences, albeit with differences in size and refresh rate capabilities.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Samsung Galaxy A35 features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display, while the Google Pixel 7A has a 6.1-inch OLED display. Both technologies deliver deep blacks and vibrant colors, providing a rich visual experience for media consumption and general use. Both screens offer a Full HD+ resolution, ensuring sharp text and clear images.
  • Smoothness and Brightness: The Galaxy A35 boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to very smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The Pixel 7A offers a 90Hz refresh rate, which is also a noticeable improvement over standard 60Hz displays, providing a responsive feel. Both displays can reach a peak brightness of 1000 nits, offering good visibility in various lighting conditions, including outdoors.
  • Viewing Experience: The larger screen of the Galaxy A35 provides a more expansive canvas for watching videos or browsing, which may be preferred by users who consume a lot of media or need more screen real estate for productivity. The Pixel 7A's smaller display makes it a more compact device, potentially favoring users who prefer one-handed operation and easier pocketability.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2400

Screen type

Super AMOLED

OLED

Audiovisual

Camera performance is a significant consideration for many smartphone users, and both devices offer capable systems, though they excel in different aspects of photography and videography.

  • Photography Capabilities: The Google Pixel 7A features a 64MP main camera and a 13MP ultrawide camera, known for its excellent computational photography that produces detailed images with accurate colors and strong low-light performance. The Samsung Galaxy A35 comes with a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens, delivering vibrant and crisp photos in good lighting, with Samsung's characteristic color processing.
  • Video Recording and Features: Both phones support 4K video recording at 30 frames per second (fps) with their main cameras. The Pixel 7A's main camera can also record 4K at 60fps, offering smoother video capture. The Pixel 7A benefits from Google's advanced software features like Magic Eraser and Photo Unblur, enhancing post-capture editing.
  • Front Camera and Audio: Both devices are equipped with 13MP front-facing cameras capable of recording 4K video at 30fps, suitable for video calls and selfies. For audio, both phones feature stereo speakers, providing a more immersive sound experience for media playback.

Main camera

50 megapixels

64 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

13 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and can influence a purchasing decision.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy A35 supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, along with sub-6GHz 5G connectivity. The Pixel 7A steps up with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, and supports both sub-6GHz and the faster mmWave 5G, offering potentially quicker speeds in areas where mmWave is available. Both devices utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy A35 features an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking, complemented by face recognition. The Pixel 7A also offers an in-display fingerprint sensor and includes face unlock capabilities.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy A35 has dimensions of 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm and weighs 209g, featuring a glass front and back with an aluminum frame. The Pixel 7A is more compact at 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm and weighs 193.5g, with a glass front and plastic back, also on an aluminum frame. The A35's larger size might appeal to those who prefer a bigger screen, while the Pixel 7A's smaller footprint offers easier handling.

Weight

209 g

193 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.1

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy A35 often highlights its impressive battery life, vibrant display, and the inclusion of expandable storage as significant advantages. Some users appreciate its modern design and the promise of extended software support. Criticisms occasionally point to its processor performance not always matching higher-tier devices, with some reports of occasional slowdowns, and the camera, while good, not always competing with the best in its class, particularly in challenging lighting.

The Google Pixel 7A is frequently praised for its exceptional camera system, which leverages Google's computational photography to deliver high-quality photos in various conditions. Its optimized software experience and the inclusion of the powerful Tensor G2 chip are also commonly cited positives, providing smooth performance and access to exclusive Pixel features. Some common concerns include its slightly smaller battery capacity compared to some rivals, the absence of expandable storage, and a display refresh rate that, while good, is not the highest available.

For users prioritizing a larger, smoother display and multi-day battery life, along with the flexibility of expandable storage, the Samsung Galaxy A35 may be a more suitable choice. Its newer release also offers a longer runway for future software updates. Conversely, individuals who place a premium on photographic excellence, a highly refined software experience with advanced AI capabilities, and a more compact form factor might find the Google Pixel 7A to be a better fit. Both devices represent solid options in their category, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new, allowing consumers to make informed and sustainable choices.

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