Galaxy A35 5G
Galaxy S26
🏆 Verdict
Galaxy S26 is the better pick overall by 27.9 points, leading in Performance, Updates and Charging. The gap is large; Galaxy A35 5G only makes sense for a lower price or one specific feature.
Galaxy A35 5G offers more for the money ($399 vs $799 at launch).
By category
Performance
Galaxy S26 is faster with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (performance index 100 vs 32). You notice it in heavy games and video editing, less in daily use. Galaxy S26 has more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB), which helps multitasking.
Camera
Only Galaxy S26 has an optical 3× telephoto; the other relies on digital zoom. Galaxy A35 5G has the higher-resolution selfie camera (13 MP vs 12 MP).
Battery
Galaxy A35 5G's battery is 700 mAh larger (5,000 vs 4,300 mAh), about 16% more. Real battery life also depends on chip and display efficiency.
Charging
Galaxy S26 charges faster over cable (45W vs 25W). Only Galaxy S26 supports wireless charging.
Display
Galaxy A35 5G has the larger screen (6.6" vs 6.3"). Galaxy S26's screen gets brighter (2,600 vs 1,000 nits), which shows outdoors.
Build & durability
Galaxy S26 is rated IP68 vs IP67 on the other. Galaxy S26 is 46 g lighter.
Updates
Galaxy S26 should get OS updates for longer (7 vs 4 years, per the maker's policy at launch).
Specifications
| Galaxy A35 5G | Galaxy S26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Exynos 1380 | Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| 6 GB / 8 GB | RAM | 12 GB |
| 128 GB / 256 GB | Storage | 256 GB / 512 GB |
| 6.6" Super AMOLED | Display | 6.3" Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| 120 Hz | Refresh rate | 120 Hz |
| 2340×1080 (390 ppi) | Resolution | 2340×1080 (409 ppi) |
| 1,000 nits | Peak brightness | 2,600 nits |
| 50 MP | Main camera | 50 MP |
| 8 MP | Ultrawide | 12 MP |
| None | Telephoto | 10 MP · 3× |
| 13 MP | Front camera | 12 MP |
| 5,000 mAh | Battery | 4,300 mAh |
| 25 W | Wired charging | 45 W |
| None | Wireless charging | 15 W |
| IP67 | Water & dust rating | IP68 |
| plastic | Frame | aluminium |
| 209 g | Weight | 163 g |
| 4 years | OS updates (estimated) | 7 years |
| $399 | Launch price | $799 |
| 2024-03 | Released | 2026-02 |
Official source: Galaxy A35 5G · Official source: Galaxy S26
⚠ Data pending confirmation: Galaxy S26
Galaxy A35 5G
Pros
- 5,000 mAh battery
- Lower price ($399)
Cons
- Slower chip
- No optical telephoto
- Slower charging (25W)
- No wireless charging
Galaxy S26
Pros
- Faster chip (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5)
- 12 GB RAM
- 3× optical zoom
- 45W charging
- 15W wireless charging
Cons
- Smaller battery
- Pricier ($799)
How is the score calculated?
Each phone gets 0–100 points in seven categories (performance, camera, battery, charging, display, build, updates), computed only from its published specs, then combined with fixed, published weights. A gap under 2.5 points counts as a tie. The performance index is an estimate based on benchmark results published at launch.
Figures come from the manufacturers’ official pages. Some specs vary by market. We do not sell devices or earn commissions.