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The Samsung Galaxy M series is known to be budget-friendly, offering good value, and the new model, the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G, takes this one step further. Paper specs show hardware upgrades and tweaks in the design from its predecessor, the Galaxy M34 5G; it also has a longer commitment to Android software upgrades. This Samsung Galaxy M35 review talks about whether or not the Galaxy M35 5G offers brilliant value for money as an all-rounder.
The price for the base variant with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage is Rs. 19,999. The 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB variants cost Rs. 21,499 and Rs. 24,299, respectively. This review unit is the 8GB + 128GB variant in Daybreak Blue.
The back panel is polycarbonate, the frame is also made of polycarbonate, and so is the triple rear camera setup on the Galaxy M35 5G everything is very familiar. It features more prominent camera rings compared to other models, with an updated pattern on the back. This phone is thicker and heavier compared to its immediate predecessor, the Galaxy M34. The front is flat, as are the sides, while the back, although not really a fingerprint magnet, is quite slippery. The left side houses a SIM tray, the right volume, and power/fingerprint buttons, the top holds a microphone, while the bottom holds a USB Type-C port, speaker, and another mic. Another minus is the absence of a 3.5mm headphone port. It would be at best cautious around water without any kind of IP rating or even a gasket in the SIM tray.
The phone comes with a large display and slimmer, more uniform bezels compared to the Galaxy M34 5G. It features a hole-punch design instead of a water drop notch and a slightly larger screen. The display supports up to 1,000 nits of brightness for better readability in different lighting conditions. It comes with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate or a standard 60Hz that one can switch to. The display also comes with a Vivid and Natural color option. Further, it is strengthened with Gorilla Glass Victus+, which is good for providing display protection and has Widevine L1 for full HD content on streaming services.
The Galaxy M35 5G runs on One UI that fares well in terms of minimal bloatware. Users will still find pre-installed apps and a Glance lock screen in place but these can be removed. It has a Discover tab in the app drawer for recommended apps, but searching through the Play Store is how most will find new apps. In terms of software, it comes out of the box with the Edge panel, Quick Share, Modes and Routines, Always on Display, and One UI 6.1. Samsung is promising four years of Android OS updates and five years of security patches which is a high standard in this price range.
The Galaxy M35 5G comes with a mid-range SoC the Exynos 1380 which bumps up performance over the previous generation. Its chipset does multitasking and casual gaming pretty well and is further upgraded by the vapor-cooling chamber for additional safety against overheating. Games like BGMI and Asphalt 9 can be played smoothly in high settings. The UI remains largely responsive except sometimes when several apps run in the background. Benchmarks reveal that the phone works comparably with its peer group, delivering quite a good performance in its class.
The triple rear camera setup at the back features a 50-megapixel primary camera. Photo quality taken from this primary camera is nicely detailed in daylight. There is a slight oversaturation, which has become typical of Samsung devices. Low light capture is decent and auto night mode gives good detail and color; some noise might pop up.
The Galaxy M35 5G did great in our battery life test, and it scored 47 hours and 17 minutes in the HD video loop test. This dwarfs most of the competitor's priced in its range. Daily usage will genuinely be shorter, though one and a half days of use seems quite doable. On the negative side, it is a bit slow to charge, so users are recommended to have at least a 20W charger. With a 30W adapter, the phone took about 2 hours to charge fully.
It's strong, but against rivals like the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite, CMF Phone 1, and Motorola G85, the Samsung Galaxy M35 is far from a runaway winner. Most rivals are topped in terms of benchmarks by the device under test, while the design is thinner and lighter on both the CMF Phone 1 and Moto G85. Although battery life is brilliant, charging is slower, and most of these rivals will be competent for taking pictures.
1. What are the key features of the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G?
The Samsung Galaxy M35 5G stands out with several notable features:
Display: A large, vibrant screen with a hole-punch design and Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. It supports an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth scrolling and better media experiences.
Performance: Powered by the Exynos 1380 SoC, the Galaxy M35 5G delivers efficient performance for multitasking and casual gaming. The device also includes a vapor-cooling chamber to manage heat effectively.
Camera: A triple rear camera setup with a 50-megapixel primary sensor provides detailed daylight photos and decent low-light performance. The camera app includes auto night mode for improved low-light photography.
Battery Life: The phone excels in battery performance, achieving up to 47 hours and 17 minutes in the HD video loop test. It offers impressive longevity, though charging can be slow and requires at least a 20W charger.
Software: Running on One UI 6.1, the phone offers a clean software experience with minimal bloatware and promises four years of Android OS updates and five years of security patches.
2. How does the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G compare to its predecessor, the Galaxy M34 5G?
The Galaxy M35 5G introduces several upgrades over the Galaxy M34 5G:
Design: The new model has a thicker and heavier build but features an updated rear panel design and more prominent camera rings.
Display: The display has been enhanced with Gorilla Glass Victus+ and an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals compared to the previous model.
Performance: The Exynos 1380 SoC in the Galaxy M35 5G offers a performance boost over the previous generation chipset, improving multitasking and gaming efficiency.
Battery: Both models offer good battery life, but the Galaxy M35 5G slightly outperforms its predecessor in endurance.
3. What are the available storage options and pricing for the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G?
The Samsung Galaxy M35 5G is available in three storage configurations:
6GB RAM + 128GB Storage: Priced at Rs. 19,999
8GB RAM + 128GB Storage: Priced at Rs. 21,499
8GB RAM + 256GB Storage: Priced at Rs. 24,299
The review unit tested was the 8GB + 128GB variant in Daybreak Blue.
4. Does the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G support fast charging?
The Samsung Galaxy M35 5G does support charging, but it is relatively slow compared to some competitors. The phone does not come with a charger in the box, and it's recommended to use at least a 20W charger. Using a 30W adapter, the phone took about 2 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%.
5. Is the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G water-resistant?
The Samsung Galaxy M35 5G lacks an official IP rating for water and dust resistance. Additionally, there is no gasket in the SIM tray, which suggests that users should exercise caution around water and avoid exposing the device to moisture.
6. How does the camera performance of the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G measure up?
The Galaxy M35 5G features a triple rear camera setup:
Primary Camera: a 50-megapixel sensor that captures detailed photos in daylight. It provides good color accuracy with a hint of over-saturation, which is common in Samsung devices.
Low-Light Performance: The auto night mode helps improve low-light photography, though some noise may be present.
Overall Camera Experience: The camera setup is solid for a budget device, offering reliable performance for most shooting conditions.
7. What are the pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G?
Pros:
Excellent battery life, with up to 47 hours and 17 minutes in the HD video loop test.
High-quality display with Gorilla Glass Victus+ and adaptive 120Hz refresh rate.
Strong performance for multitasking and casual gaming, thanks to the Exynos 1380 SoC.
Long software support with four years of Android OS updates and five years of security patches.
Cons:
Relatively slow charging compared to some competitors.
Lack of a 3.5mm headphone port.
Absence of official water resistance and no gasket in the SIM tray.
The phone is thicker and heavier than some rivals, which may impact portability.
8. How does the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G perform in benchmarks?
In benchmark tests, the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G performs well within its segment. It compares favorably against competitors, showing solid performance in multitasking and gaming. However, it is noted that alternatives like the Motorola G85 may offer better performance in certain benchmarks, though they may come with trade-offs in other areas such as design or battery life.
9. What software features does the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G include?
The Galaxy M35 5G runs on One UI 6.1, which includes several useful features:
Edge Panel: Provides quick access to apps, contacts, and more.
Quick Share: Allows for easy sharing of files with nearby devices.
Modes and Routines: Customizable settings for different scenarios.
Always on Display (AOD): Displays key information on the screen even when the phone is locked.
10. What alternatives should be considered if the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G doesn’t meet specific needs?
If the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G doesn’t meet your needs, consider alternatives such as:
OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Offers a slimmer design and faster charging.
CMF Phone 1: Known for its lighter build and decent performance.
Motorola G85: Provides a strong performance but may not match the Galaxy M35 5G in battery life.
