Galaxy A35 Vs iPhone 17

Galaxy A35
Galaxy A35
Starting at

Refurbished price:206.00

Versus €431.43 new

See options
iPhone 17
iPhone 17
Starting at

Refurbished price:685.00

Versus €979.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, and the Apple iPhone 17, launched in September 2025, represent distinct offerings in the smartphone market. While the Galaxy A35 operates on the Android platform, the iPhone 17 runs on iOS, providing users with different software ecosystems. Key differentiators between these two devices include their display technologies, camera capabilities, and overall performance profiles, catering to varied user preferences and needs.

Scores

Durability

When evaluating the practical lifespan of these devices, both offer substantial support, though with differing timelines and build characteristics.

  • Software Longevity: The iPhone 17 is designed to receive major iOS updates for an extended period, typically 6 to 7 years from its release, ensuring access to new features and security enhancements over a longer duration. The Galaxy A35 is supported with 4 generations of Android OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates, providing a solid commitment for its category.
  • Build Durability: The Galaxy A35 features an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, offering protection against splashes and submersion in fresh water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The iPhone 17 boasts an IP68 rating, indicating enhanced resistance to dust and water, allowing for submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The iPhone 17 also incorporates Ceramic Shield 2 for improved front display protection, while the Galaxy A35 uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ for its display.
  • Expected Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing the longest possible software support and advanced water resistance will find the iPhone 17's offerings more aligned with their needs. The Galaxy A35 provides a robust and reliable experience with good protection and update policies for its segment.

Year of Release

2024

2025

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance is a significant area of distinction, reflecting the different design philosophies and target user experiences of these two smartphones.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy A35 handles daily applications, web browsing, and social media with smooth responsiveness, suitable for general usage and multitasking. The iPhone 17 delivers a highly fluid experience across all tasks, from launching demanding applications to navigating the interface, due to its advanced internal components.
  • Demanding Applications and Gaming: For intensive tasks like graphic-heavy gaming or complex video editing, the iPhone 17 offers superior processing power, ensuring smoother gameplay and faster rendering times. The Galaxy A35 provides capable performance for most mobile games and applications, though it may exhibit some limitations with the most graphically intensive titles compared to higher-tier devices.
  • Storage and Multitasking: The Galaxy A35 offers storage options of 128GB or 256GB and supports expandable storage via a microSD card up to 1TB, providing flexibility for users with large media libraries. The iPhone 17 starts with 256GB of internal storage and goes up to 512GB, but it does not offer expandable storage. Both devices are equipped with sufficient RAM to manage multiple applications running simultaneously, contributing to a responsive user experience.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

Both smartphones offer vibrant displays, but they differ in technology, size, and peak brightness capabilities.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A35 features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display, known for its deep blacks, high contrast, and vivid colors, providing an engaging viewing experience. The iPhone 17 utilizes a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering exceptional color accuracy, high resolution, and precise detail for various content types.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy A35's display reaches up to 1,000 nits of brightness in High Brightness Mode (HBM), ensuring good visibility outdoors. It also features a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations. The iPhone 17's display offers ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, dynamically adjusting for fluidity and power efficiency. It also achieves significantly higher peak brightness levels, reaching up to 3,000 nits for outdoor viewing, enhancing readability in direct sunlight.
  • Viewing Experience: The larger screen of the Galaxy A35 may appeal to users who prefer more expansive screen real estate for media consumption or productivity. The iPhone 17's display, while slightly smaller, offers advanced brightness and color reproduction, which can be beneficial for users who prioritize visual fidelity in diverse lighting conditions.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

2622x1206

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Super Retina XDR

Audiovisual

The camera systems on both devices are designed to capture quality images and videos, though they approach this with different hardware and software optimizations.

  • Rear Camera Capabilities: The Galaxy A35 features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. It performs well in daylight, producing images with good detail and vibrant colors. The iPhone 17 comes with a 48MP Dual Fusion camera system, including a 48MP main lens with OIS and a 48MP Fusion ultrawide lens, designed for high-resolution photos and improved low-light performance.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording at 30 frames per second (fps) with their main cameras. The iPhone 17 further enhances video with features like 4K Dolby Vision recording and Cinematic mode. For selfies, the Galaxy A35 has a 13MP front camera, while the iPhone 17 features an 18MP front camera with Center Stage capabilities, which can be beneficial for video calls.
  • Audio Experience: The Galaxy A35 includes stereo speakers that offer loud output, suitable for media consumption. The iPhone 17 also provides stereo speakers and supports spatial audio, enhancing the immersive experience for music and videos.

Main camera

50 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

18 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and differentiate these two smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy A35 and iPhone 17 support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy A35 supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, while the iPhone 17 features the newer Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0, offering potentially faster and more efficient wireless connections. Both devices utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, aligning with modern standards.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy A35 incorporates an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking and authentication. The iPhone 17 relies on Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system, for biometric security.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy A35 has dimensions of 161.7 x 78 x 8.2mm and weighs 209g, featuring a design with a glass back and flat side frame. The iPhone 17 is slightly more compact and lighter at 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95mm and 177g, with an aluminum design and a color-infused glass back. These differences in size and weight can influence how each device feels in hand and its portability.

Weight

209 g

177 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.3

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy A35 and Apple iPhone 17 cater to different user priorities, each excelling in specific areas. Users often praise the Galaxy A35 for its impressive battery life, vibrant Super AMOLED display, and capable daylight camera performance. Criticisms sometimes point to its low-light camera performance and the presence of a macro lens that some users find less practical. The iPhone 17 is frequently lauded for its powerful performance, advanced OLED display with high brightness, and comprehensive camera system, including enhanced video capabilities. Some users might note its non-expandable storage as a potential limitation.

Users prioritizing an extensive software update timeline, top-tier performance for demanding applications, and advanced display technology with superior outdoor visibility may find the iPhone 17 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals who value a larger display, expandable storage, and a long-lasting battery for everyday use might lean towards the Galaxy A35. Both devices offer a modern smartphone experience, and for those considering a more sustainable choice, quality-assured refurbished options are available for both models, providing an eco-friendly alternative.

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