The mid-range smartphone market has never been more competitive, and Samsung knows it. Enter the Samsung Galaxy M35, the latest addition to its well received M-series lineup. This series has long been recognized for delivering great value, particularly in areas that matter most to everyday users big batteries, vibrant displays, and dependable cameras. With each new release, Samsung has tightened its grip on the budget-conscious segment, offering feature packed alternatives to pricier flagship models without sacrificing too much on performance or reliability.
The Galaxy M35 continues this tradition, but with some significant upgrades that reflect 2025’s evolving user expectations. It brings a massive 6000mAh battery, a buttery-smooth 120Hz Super AMOLED display, and runs on One UI 6.1 based on Android 14, all while maintaining an affordable price tag. But in a space crowded with impressive rivals like the Redmi Note 13 Pro and Realme Narzo 70 Pro, does the M35 bring enough to the table to truly stand out? In this detailed review, we’ll break down the design, performance, camera, battery, and everything in between to see whether the Galaxy M35 is the budget phone to beat in 2025 or just another mid-range option in a saturated market.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Design & Build Quality
At first glance, the Samsung Galaxy M35 doesn’t aim to impress with flashy aesthetics, but it delivers a sense of practicality that suits its mid-range identity. Samsung has gone with a matte plastic rear panel featuring subtle textures that resist fingerprints and provide a secure grip. The camera module is neatly aligned in a vertical stack and blends seamlessly into the back panel, continuing Samsung’s signature minimalist design trend seen in recent models. While it may not turn heads, it certainly looks clean and functional.
Packing a massive 6000mAh battery, the M35 tips the scales at around 222 grams, which makes it noticeably heavier than many of its rivals. Still, the weight feels evenly distributed, and the device sits comfortably in hand. The plastic frame adds to the lightweight feel, and although it may lack the premium touch of aluminum or glass, the build feels sturdy and durable, ideal for everyday use. It’s not designed to compete with flagship finishes, but it’s dependable for those who value function over form.
Samsung has equipped the M35 with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button, and it performs quickly and accurately. The volume buttons are tactile and responsive, and the USB-C port is centered for convenience. Unfortunately, the device lacks an official IP rating, which may be disappointing for users looking for added water or dust resistance. Overall, the Galaxy M35’s design might not be thrilling, but it’s clearly engineered for practicality and reliability exactly what you’d expect at this price point.
Display – Super AMOLED Delight
Samsung has long set the standard for smartphone displays, and the Galaxy M35 continues that tradition impressively. It sports a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED+ panel with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 1,000 nits. These specs ensure that users enjoy a crisp, vibrant viewing experience whether they’re browsing social media, gaming, or streaming videos.
In everyday use, the display shines with punchy but balanced color reproduction and deep blacks that enhance contrast, especially in dark mode or during media playback. The high refresh rate contributes to a buttery smooth UI experience, making everything from swiping through apps to scrolling through content feel seamless. It also elevates mobile gaming by reducing motion blur and providing faster visual response times, something budget phones often struggle to deliver.
Additionally, outdoor visibility is excellent, even in bright sunlight, thanks to the high brightness output. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 5, adding a degree of scratch resistance and overall durability. Whether you’re consuming content or simply navigating the interface, the M35’s display feels premium and polished, a standout feature that sets it apart from many competitors in this price segment. Verdict: Easily one of the best displays in its category.
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Performance & Software of the Samsung Galaxy M35
The Samsung Galaxy M35 is powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset, coupled with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage, which can be expanded via microSD card. While the Exynos 1380 isn’t the most powerful chip in the mid-range class, it delivers reliable performance for most everyday tasks. Basic operations such as web browsing, social media, and media consumption are handled with ease, and the system remains smooth even during light multitasking.
When it comes to gaming and more demanding apps, the M35 holds its own fairly well. Titles like Call of Duty Mobile, PUBG, and even Genshin Impact are playable at medium settings without significant lag or overheating. App switching is fast and responsive, and background processes are managed well thanks to Samsung’s improved memory optimization. For casual gamers or multitaskers, the performance feels more than adequate for a budget-friendly device.
Software-wise, the M35 ships with One UI 6.1 based on Android 14, providing a clean, highly customizable, and user-friendly interface. Samsung has committed to two years of major Android updates and four years of security patches, which is rare and commendable in this price range. Although the phone does come with some pre-installed apps (bloatware), most can be removed if not needed. Useful features like Samsung Knox, Secure Folder, and Link to Windows further enhance the user experience, especially for those who want seamless integration across devices. Overall, the Galaxy M35 offers a solid mix of performance and software longevity.
Camera Review – Surprisingly Capable
The Samsung Galaxy M35 is equipped with a triple-camera setup, consisting of a 50MP main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor. On the front, there’s a 13MP selfie camera housed in a centered punch-hole cutout. At this price point, the combination is pretty solid and caters well to everyday photography needs, especially for social media and casual content creation.
In daylight conditions, the 50MP main sensor performs impressively. Images are sharp, rich in detail, and show excellent dynamic range. Colors are vibrant but not overly saturated — a sign that Samsung’s scene optimizer has matured and now applies enhancements more subtly. Skies look beautifully blue, and greens pop without appearing fake. Autofocus is fast and reliable, and shutter lag is minimal, allowing users to capture moving subjects with ease. Overall, the main camera produces images that can easily compete with more expensive mid-range phones in good lighting.
Low-light and nighttime photography benefit greatly from the inclusion of OIS. Images come out with less noise and better stability, especially when using the dedicated Night Mode, which either activates automatically or can be triggered manually. While low-light performance still doesn’t match what Google’s Pixel A-series delivers, the M35 holds its ground well and captures usable shots with decent exposure and minimal blur. Street scenes, dim indoor shots, and ambient lighting situations are handled better than expected from a phone in this segment.
The 8MP ultra-wide lens is good for landscape shots and group photos, though it does show some edge distortion and lacks the sharpness of the primary sensor. The 2MP macro sensor is underwhelming, producing grainy, low-detail images and feeling more like a spec-sheet filler than a practical tool. On the front, the 13MP selfie camera captures clean, natural-looking portraits with decent dynamic range and effective background blur in portrait mode. For video, the M35 supports 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps. Footage is stable and color-accurate thanks to a combination of OIS and EIS, making it a good option for vloggers or anyone wanting to shoot casual content without a gimbal. Camera Verdict: Reliable and versatile, especially in good light. OIS is a welcome addition.
Battery Life & Charging
If battery life is at the top of your priority list, the Samsung Galaxy M35 won’t disappoint. Thanks to its 6,000 mAh battery, most users can expect consistent two-day usage on a single charge. In our testing, the phone delivered 9–10 hours of screen-on time, while video streaming over Wi‑Fi (at 50% brightness) lasted a staggering 17 hours. Even during prolonged gaming sessions at high brightness, it managed around 6–7 hours, underscoring its capacity to support power users without frequent charging interruptions.
Charging is facilitated by 25 W fast charging, which replenishes the battery from 0% to 100% in approximately 95 minutes—ideal for a quick power top-up before heading out. However, Samsung’s decision not to include a charger in the box means you’ll need to purchase one separately, which may be an extra consideration for buyers. Bottom line: the Galaxy M35 scores exceptionally in longevity, offers solid charging performance, but leaves you to source your own charger.
Audio & Connectivity
The Galaxy M35 steps up its audio game with stereo speakers, a welcome upgrade from last year’s mono setup. The output is clear and reasonably loud, with minimal distortion at high volumes, making it suitable for casual video watching or gaming. While bass is on the lighter side, the overall audio quality is more than acceptable for its price. Another plus is the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that’s becoming rare but is still highly valued by many users, especially those who prefer wired audio or don’t want to invest in wireless earbuds.
On the connectivity front, the Galaxy M35 ticks most of the right boxes. It supports dual 5G SIM cards, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC, which enables Samsung Pay and other contactless payment options. While it sticks to Wi-Fi 5 instead of the newer Wi-Fi 6 standard, real-world connectivity remains fast and reliable. GPS and GLONASS support ensure accurate navigation, and call quality is excellent, with the secondary microphone doing a solid job at noise cancellation during calls. Verdict: A well-rounded offering with thoughtful connectivity and audio features, especially for budget-conscious users.
Variants, Price & Availability
As of mid-2025, the Samsung Galaxy M35 comes in two main variants to suit different user needs: 6GB RAM with 128GB storage priced around $299, and 8GB RAM with 128GB storage for about $329. These options offer a solid balance of memory and storage for everyday tasks, gaming, and media consumption. The device is available in three attractive color options—Ocean Blue, Graphite Gray, and Mint Green—giving buyers a choice to match their personal style.
The Galaxy M35 is widely accessible through various channels, including Samsung’s official website, Amazon, Flipkart in India, and other online and offline retailers across regions like India, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. This broad availability makes it easy for consumers to find and purchase the phone without hassle. Considering its robust hardware, smooth software experience, and competitive pricing, the Galaxy M35 offers excellent value for money, standing out as a compelling budget-friendly Samsung phone in 2025.
Pros and Cons
| Pros: | Cons: |
| 1. Excellent Super AMOLED+ 120Hz display 2. Massive 6000mAh battery 3. One UI 6.1 with long-term software support 4. Capable 50MP camera with OIS 5. Stereo speakers and 3.5mm jack | 1. Slightly bulky and heavy 2. No IP rating 3. No charger included 4. Macro camera is redundant |
Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?
The Samsung Galaxy M35 delivers where it matters most a stunning AMOLED display, exceptional battery life, and dependable performance. While it doesn’t revolutionize the mid-range segment, it refines key elements that budget-conscious users care about.
Yes, it’s a bit heavy, and yes, the charger omission is frustrating. But when you stack everything up 120Hz AMOLED, 6000mAh battery, OIS camera, One UI support the Galaxy M35 emerges as one of the best sub-$350 phones of 2025.
If you’re a student, casual user, or someone looking for a long-lasting device with brand reliability, the Galaxy M35 should be at the top of your list.