Galaxy A35 Vs iPhone 15 Pro Max

Galaxy A35
Galaxy A35
Starting at

Refurbished price:209.00

Versus €429.00 new

See options
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Starting at

Refurbished price:610.00

Versus €1,489.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, is a mid-range Android smartphone designed to offer a balanced experience for everyday users. In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, launched in September 2023, represents Apple's flagship offering, focusing on high-end performance, advanced camera capabilities, and a premium user experience. These devices cater to different segments of the smartphone market, with the Galaxy A35 running on Android and the iPhone 15 Pro Max operating on iOS.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors contribute to their expected lifespan, including software support and physical resilience.

  • Software Longevity: The Samsung Galaxy A35 is committed to receiving four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its support until Android 18 and security patches until 2029. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is guaranteed a minimum of five years of security updates from its release date, which means support until at least September 2028, though Apple often provides OS updates for longer periods.
  • Build Materials and Protection: The Galaxy A35 features Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on both the front and back, complemented by a matte plastic frame, and carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone 15 Pro Max utilizes a titanium frame, Ceramic Shield front cover, and a textured matte glass back, offering IP68 dust and water resistance.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy A35 has a repairability score of 8.4 out of 10, indicating good spare parts availability and improved repair access compared to its predecessor. The iPhone 15 Pro Max initially received a lower repairability score, but it was later promoted to 7 out of 10 due to improvements in allowing the use of salvaged parts and calibration.

Year of Release

2024

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of these two smartphones varies significantly, reflecting their different design philosophies and target user experiences.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy A35 handles daily tasks, social media browsing, and light gaming smoothly. The iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers exceptional performance, managing demanding applications, intensive gaming, and video editing without noticeable slowdowns.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy A35 is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and offers 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card up to 1TB. The iPhone 15 Pro Max comes with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB, without expandable storage.
  • Battery Endurance: The Galaxy A35 is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, providing approximately 1.5 days or 38 hours of use on a single charge with regular activity, and around 7 hours of screen-on time for extensive usage. The iPhone 15 Pro Max features a 4422mAh battery, known for its excellent endurance, often lasting a full day even with heavy use, with some tests showing over 14 hours of continuous web surfing.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

Both devices offer vibrant displays, but they differ in technology, brightness, and overall viewing experience.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A35 features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution (2340x1080 pixels), providing vivid colors and sharp visuals. The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 1290x2796 pixels, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors with high clarity.
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy A35's display offers good brightness, making it comfortable for use in various lighting conditions, including harsh sunlight. The iPhone 15 Pro Max provides significantly higher peak brightness, reaching up to 2000 nits, which enhances visibility in bright outdoor environments and improves HDR content viewing.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both smartphones feature a 120Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy A35 offers a smooth scrolling experience. The iPhone 15 Pro Max includes ProMotion technology, which provides an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, dynamically adjusting for fluid motion and power efficiency.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1290 x 2796

Screen type

Super AMOLED

LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

The camera systems on these devices are designed for different levels of photographic capability and versatility.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy A35 is equipped with a triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The iPhone 15 Pro Max features an advanced triple-camera system with a 48MP main sensor (with sensor-shift OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy A35 captures good everyday photos, especially in well-lit conditions, with vivid colors, though some users note occasional oversaturation. Its digital zoom capabilities are less effective. The iPhone 15 Pro Max delivers exceptional image quality across various conditions, including low light, with abundant detail and strong dynamic range. Its 5x optical zoom provides significant reach.
  • Video Recording and Audio: Both devices support 4K video recording at 30 frames per second. The iPhone 15 Pro Max offers more advanced video features, including ProRes video, Cinematic mode, and 4K recording at up to 60 frames per second, along with high-quality stereo audio recording.

Main camera

50 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several other features contribute to the overall user experience and practical utility of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity. The Galaxy A35 includes a USB-C port and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The iPhone 15 Pro Max also features a USB-C port, offering faster data transfer speeds (USB 3), and supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
  • Biometrics and Unique Features: The Galaxy A35 incorporates an in-display optical fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 15 Pro Max relies on Face ID for biometric authentication and includes a customizable Action Button, which can be programmed for various functions like launching the camera or voice recorder.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The Galaxy A35 weighs 209 grams and measures 161.7 x 78.0 x 8.2mm. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is slightly heavier at 221 grams and measures 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.3mm, featuring a premium titanium frame.

Weight

209 g

221 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.7

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 vivid display, impressive battery life, and attractive design as strong points for its segment. Some common criticisms include occasional lag when launching the camera and less impressive digital zoom. For the iPhone 15 Pro Max, users frequently praise its exceptional camera quality, powerful performance for demanding tasks, and extended battery life. However, some users have noted concerns regarding slower charging speeds and occasional battery degradation over time.

Users prioritizing a balanced Android experience for daily communication, media consumption, and reliable battery life, without requiring top-tier performance or advanced camera features, may find the Galaxy A35 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals who demand the highest levels of performance, a versatile and advanced camera system for photography and videography, premium build quality, and long-term software support for intensive applications or creative work, will likely lean towards the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Both devices are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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