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Google Pixel 8a vs Samsung Galaxy A35 5G: Which should you buy?

Samsung and Google's affordable smartphones go head-to-head.
By

Published onMay 7, 2024

Google Pixel 8a
MSRP: $499.00
Check price
Positives
Fingerprint-proof matte finish
Rich OLED display
Tons of Tensor G3-powered features
Solid battery life
Unrivaled software update commitment
Pixel-pedigree cameras
Negatives
Cheap materials
Limited zoom capabilities
Slow wired and wireless charging
Pixel 8 discounts make it a harder sell
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
MSRP: $400.00
Check price
Positives
Durable Gorilla Glass construction
Vibrant AMOLED panel
Decent camera setup
Great battery life
Excellent update commitment
Negatives
No wireless charging
Limited camera zoom
No Galaxy AI features

Google Pixel 8a vs Samsung Galaxy A35 5G: At a glance

  • The Galaxy A35 is cheaper than the Pixel 8.
  • The Galaxy A35 has a larger battery and supports faster charging.
  • The Pixel 8a has better cameras.
  • The Pixel 8a offers much longer software support.
  • Both come with dust and water resistance.

Google Pixel 8a vs Samsung Galaxy A35 5G: Specs

Google Pixel 8aSamsung Galaxy A35 5G
Display
Google Pixel 8a
6.1-inch OLED
2400 x 1080 resolution
120Hz refresh rate
20:9 aspect ratio
Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
6.6-inch Super AMOLED
2340 x 1080 resolution
120Hz refresh rate
19.5:9 aspect ratio
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Processor
Google Pixel 8a
Google Tensor G3
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Samsung Exynos 1380
RAM
Google Pixel 8a
8GB
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
6GB
Storage
Google Pixel 8a
128/256GB
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
128GB
Expandable via microSD card
Battery
Google Pixel 8a
4.492mAh
18W wired charging
7.5W wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
5,000mAh
25W wired charging
Cameras
Google Pixel 8a
64MP wide camera
ƒ/1.89 aperture
OIS + EIS

13MP ultra-wide camera, 120deg FoV
ƒ/2.2 aperture
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
50MP wide camera
ƒ/1.8 aperture
OIS

8MP ultra-wide camera, 123deg FoV
ƒ/2.2 aperture

5MP macro camera
ƒ/2.4 aperture
Connectivity
Google Pixel 8a
5G
4G LTE
Wi-Fi 6e
Bluetooth 5.3
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
5G
4G LTE
Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth 5.3
Operating System
Google Pixel 8a
Pixel UI
Android 14
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
One UI 6.1
Android 14
Water resistance
Google Pixel 8a
IP67
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
IP67
Colors
Google Pixel 8a
Aloe, Bay, Obsidian, Porcelain
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Iceblue, Lilac, Navy
Dimension and weight
Google Pixel 8a
152.4 x 73.7 x 10.1mm
192.8 grams
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
161.7 x 78 x 8.2mm
209 grams

Google Pixel 8a vs Samsung Galaxy A35 5G: Price and availability

Pixel 8a Obsidian Lifestyle
Google

Google Pixel 8a: Starts at $499

Samsung Galaxy A35 5G: Starts at $399

The Pixel 8a is available for pre-order from May 7, 2024, and will go on general sale a week after, on May 14, 2024. The affordable A-series device starts at $499, the same price as its predecessor. However, for the first time, Google is adding a 256GB storage variant, which will set you back an additional $60. As far as colorways go, the unique Bay and Aloe options join the standard Porcelain and Obsidian. However, the 256GB version will only be available in Obsidian at launch.

Galaxy A35 colors
Samsung

On the other hand, the Galaxy A35 launched in the US on April 18, 2024. The mid-range smartphone from Samsung is priced at $399 and is available in Iceblue, Lilac, and Navy.

See price at Amazon
Google Pixel 8a
Google Pixel 8a
Rich OLED display
Tons of Tensor G3-powered features
Pixel-pedigree cameras
See price at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
10%off
Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
Durable Gorilla Glass construction
Vibrant AMOLED panel
Great battery life
See price at Amazon
Save $40.00
Samsung Galaxy A35
See price at Samsung
Samsung Galaxy A35

Google Pixel 8a vs Samsung Galaxy A35 5G: Which should you buy?

Pixel 8a Aloe Lifestyle
Google

In previous years, the Galaxy A5x smartphone has been the more direct competition to the Pixel A-series. Samsung’s decision to not release the Galaxy A55 in the US means it falls on the Galaxy A35 to bring the fight to Google’s latest smartphone. And the cheaper Galaxy smartphone holds its ground surprisingly well.

Both phones have Full HD+ resolutions and 120Hz refresh rates, and those who prefer more screen real estate will appreciate the Galaxy A35’s 6.6-inch display. The Pixel 8a might have a smaller screen, but it gets much brighter with a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, double that of its Samsung rival. Regarding build quality, the Pixel 8a has the edge with its metal frame. However, the Galaxy A35 uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ for scratch protection, while the Pixel relies on the seven-year-old Gorilla Glass 3.

Galaxy A35 press image 1
Samsung

The Pixel 8a has a better processing package, more RAM, and a new storage variant that doubles the storage of the base variant. It’s a much-needed increase, and 256GB will likely be the preferred option for most buyers. While the Galaxy A35 only has 128GB storage, it more than makes up for it with microSD card support, even if it comes in lieu of dual-SIM capabilities. The Samsung phone also has a larger battery and faster wired charging, while the Pixel 8a comes with wireless charging.

The camera department is where the Pixel 8a solidifies its lead. Samsung’s mid-range phones don’t have bad cameras, of course. But the Pixel 8a’s cameras are more capable, and helped along by Google’s stack of AI-powered camera features, like Magic Editor. Despite falling in the affordable category, the Pixel A-series has given even flagships a run for their money, and the 8a is no different. The Galaxy A35’s triple-camera setup, headlined by a 50MP shooter, is also solid.

Speaking of flagship features, Google also brings most software features from the Pixel 8 series to the Pixel 8a. From Circle to Search and Gemini Nano to Live Translate and Pixel Call Assist, AI takes the Pixel 8a to the next level. The Galaxy A35’s One UI 6.1 is no slouch but won’t offer nearly the same experience as the Pixel. That extends to software support as well. The A35 will come with four major OS upgrades and another year of security updates, which is quite impressive for a Samsung mid-ranger. However, the Pixel 8a breaks the mold with seven years of major OS updates!

Unless you’re tied to a particular ecosystem — Samsung and Pixel phones will understandably play best with their own sets of accessories — the Pixel 8a is the better buy, albeit at a $100 surcharge, and even more if you want extra storage.

Would you rather buy the Pixel 8a or the Galaxy A35?

396 votes

Google Pixel 8a vs Samsung Galaxy A35 5G: FAQ

Yes, both the Pixel 8a and the Galaxy A35 come with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.

While the new Pixel 8a supports 7.5W wireless charging, the Galaxy A35 does not.

The Pixel 8a doesn’t offer expandable storage, while the Galaxy A35 lets you add up to 1TB of storage via microSD card. This takes the place of the extra SIM slot, though.

Yes, both phones offer dual-SIM support in the form of a nanoSIM and eSIM. The Galaxy A35 has dual SIM slots, with the secondary slot also working as the microSD card slot.

No, the two phones don’t come with headphone jacks.

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