Uncover the Truth - Google Pixel 8a vs. Samsung Galaxy A35

Google Pixel 8a vs. Samsung Galaxy A35: Specs

The Pixel 8a starts at $499/£499/AU$849 with 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. It features a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. On the other hand, the Galaxy A35 begins at $399/£399/AU$549 and comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. Its display is a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED with a 120Hz refresh rate. In terms of processors, the Pixel 8a uses the Tensor G3, while the Galaxy A35 has the Exynos 1380. The Pixel 8a also has a 4,492 mAh battery with 18W wired and 7.5W wireless charging, while the Galaxy A35 boasts a 5,000 mAh battery with 25W wired charging. In terms of size, the Pixel 8a is 6 x 2.9 x 0.4 inches (152.4 x 73.7 x 10.1mm) and weighs 6.8 ounces (192 grams). The Galaxy A35 is 6.4 x 3.1 x 0.32 inches (161.7 x 78 x 8.2mm) and weighs 7.4 ounces (209 grams). It comes in colors like Navy, Lilac, Iceblue Lemon for the Galaxy A35 and Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Aloe for the Pixel 8a.

When it comes to specs, both phones have their own strengths. The Pixel 8a's use of the same silicon as last year's flagships gives it some advantages in terms of AI features and photo processing. However, the Galaxy A35's larger battery and slightly larger display make it a tempting option for those who value those aspects.

Google Pixel 8a vs. Samsung Galaxy A35: Price

As mentioned earlier, the Pixel 8a starts at $499 with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. Upgrading to 256GB of storage raises the price to $559 for the Obsidian model. The Galaxy A35 costs $399 with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There is no 256GB version available in the US. Cell phone deals can sometimes bring down the prices of both phones, but generally, the Galaxy A35 is cheaper.

Price is a significant factor for many consumers, and the Galaxy A35 definitely has an edge in this regard. However, it's important to consider the overall value and features offered by each phone.

Google Pixel 8a vs. Samsung Galaxy A35: Design

Although they are midrange phones, both the Galaxy A35 and Pixel 8a take design cues from their flagship counterparts. The Galaxy A35 has a descending row of rear camera lenses, while the Pixel 8a features a horizontal camera bar. In terms of aesthetics, it's a matter of personal preference. I personally prefer the look of the Pixel 8a, but the raised edge on the side of the Galaxy A35 that houses the power button and volume toggles is a nice touch. The glossy back of the Galaxy A35 is more prone to fingerprints and smudges compared to the matte back of the Pixel 8a. Both phones have an IP67 water and dust resistance rating and do not have a headphone jack. The Galaxy A35 is taller and wider due to its larger screen, which may not be preferred by those who like more compact phones. The Pixel 8a's more compact size gives it an edge in this regard.

Design is an important aspect of a phone, and both the Galaxy A35 and Pixel 8a have their own unique designs. It ultimately comes down to personal preference.

Google Pixel 8a vs. Samsung Galaxy A35: Display

The Galaxy A35 offers a larger 6.6-inch AMOLED panel compared to the Pixel 8a's 6.1-inch OLED screen. This extra screen space is handy for streaming videos and playing games. Both phones have a 120Hz refresh rate for more immersive scrolling. In terms of brightness, the Pixel 8a can get slightly brighter at 1,329 nits compared to the Galaxy A35's 1,317 nits. However, in outdoor sunlight, both screens are easily visible. In terms of color accuracy, the Galaxy A35 offers more colorful screens in both the sRGB and DCI-P3 color spectrums in its default settings. While the colors are equally accurate in the Natural setting, the Galaxy A35 still offers slightly more accurate colors.

The display is an important aspect of a phone, and both the Galaxy A35 and Pixel 8a have their own strengths. The larger screen of the Galaxy A35 is great for certain activities, while the Pixel 8a's slightly better brightness and color accuracy in some settings make it a worthy contender.

Google Pixel 8a vs. Samsung Galaxy A35: Cameras

Both phones have similar camera setups with a main and ultrawide lens on the back. The Pixel 8a has a 64MP main lens and a 13MP ultrawide camera, while the Galaxy A35 has a 50MP main lens and an 8MP ultrawide camera. The Pixel 8a also has a 13MP selfie camera, while the Galaxy A35 has a 13MP selfie camera as well. In a 200-photo face-off, the Pixel 8a came out on top. It handles dynamic range better and performs well in low light. The Galaxy A35 favors brighter colors but can sometimes be over-saturated. For example, in a shot of a Blue Hawaii cocktail, the Galaxy A35 showed off a glint of citrus juice better, but in other shots, the Pixel 8a's color balance was more consistent. In night shots, the Pixel 8a clearly outperformed the Galaxy A35, with more details emerging from the darkness. However, the Galaxy A35 has a better time with skin tones and presents a more true-to-life portrait.

The cameras on both phones have their own strengths and weaknesses. The Pixel 8a's overall performance in various lighting conditions is better, but the Galaxy A35 has its moments with certain types of shots.

Google Pixel 8a vs. Samsung Galaxy A35: Performance

In benchmark tests, the Pixel 8a with its Tensor G3 chip performed better than the Galaxy A35 with the Exynos 1380 chip. In Geekbench 6, the Pixel 8a scored 1,581 in single-core and 4,093 in multicore tests, which was 55% and 39% faster than the Galaxy A35 respectively. In 3DMark's Wild Life Unlimited graphics test, the Pixel 8a posted a 53.8 fps result compared to the Galaxy A35's 16.8 fps. When it comes to app switching and gaming, the Galaxy A35 performed seamlessly enough, but the Pixel 8a was undeniably faster. For example, when transcoding a video using Adobe Premiere Rush, the Pixel 8a needed 56 seconds while the Galaxy A35 took 1 minute and 9 seconds.

Performance is an important factor, and the Pixel 8a's Tensor-powered chip gives it an edge in this regard. However, the Galaxy A35 is still a capable phone and performs well in most situations.

Google Pixel 8a vs. Samsung Galaxy A35: Battery life and charging

The Galaxy A35 has a larger 5,000 mAh battery compared to the Pixel 8a's 4,492 mAh battery. However, in our battery test, the Pixel 8a lasted 11 hours and 22 minutes, which is a little bit longer than the Galaxy A35's 11 hours and 9 minutes. In terms of charging speed, the Galaxy A35 has a 25W wired charging speed compared to the Pixel 8a's 18W. Although there is not a huge difference, the Galaxy A35 does charge faster. One area where the Pixel 8a has an advantage is wireless charging. The Galaxy A35 does not support wireless charging, while the Pixel 8a does.

Battery life and charging are important considerations, and both phones have their own pros and cons. The Pixel 8a's slightly longer battery life and wireless charging capability give it an edge.

Google Pixel 8a vs. Samsung Galaxy A35: Software

The Galaxy A35 offers a few AI-powered features like Circle to Search, which allows you to circle or tap on a picture in any app and launch an online search. However, it doesn't compare to the depth of AI capabilities on the Pixel 8a. Due to the Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a can do almost anything the previous year's Pixel 8 flagship could, including photo retouching features like Magic Editor and Best Take. It also supports productivity-boosting features like Live Translate and Call Assist. The Pixel 8a gets Android updates right away and can already run Android 15, while the Galaxy A35 is awaiting the One Ui 7 release. Google promises seven years of software and security updates to Pixel 8a owners, while Galaxy A35 owners get four years of software updates and an additional year of security support.

Software is an important aspect of a phone, and the Pixel 8a's extensive AI capabilities and timely software updates give it a significant advantage.

Google Pixel 8a vs. Samsung Galaxy A35: Verdict

Despite its higher price tag, the Pixel 8a clearly offers more value than the Galaxy A35. In most categories, the Pixel 8a is better - it captures better photos, offers more AI features, and promises more extensive software support. The Galaxy A35 may have a better screen, but it's not enough to overcome the Pixel 8a's other advantages. For those especially sensitive to price, the Galaxy A35 still delivers a lot for a smaller outlay. It has a bright, colorful screen, a durable design, better than average battery life, and more AI-powered features than expected. However, if you can afford the extra $100, the Pixel 8a more than justifies its higher price tag with its excellent camera performance and Tensor-powered features.