Samsung Galaxy
Samsung Galaxy A35 Review: Does It Offer Value for Money?
As 2024 gradually advances, Samsung keeps on delivering remarkable devices one after another. On March 11, Samsung released this year’s first addition to its mid-budget segment, the Galaxy A35. The Galaxy A series has always reflected Samsung’s integrity and endeavor to offer the highest quality phones within budget. The latest addition isn’t an exception. But will the Galaxy A35 be able to meet customer’s expectations? Let’s find out.
Key Specs and Features of Samsung Galaxy A35
The Galaxy A35 has almost everything a user can expect from a mid-range Samsung phone. Nothing feels like a heartbreak so far.
Design
Last year’s Samsung Galaxy A34 received massive success for its stand-out features and design. Being the direct successor of the phone, the Galaxy A35 has been carrying great expectations ever since the rumors about its release spread out. So, how is it doing against all these expectations?
The most significant change the latest A series addition brought to its design is a glass back cover. It is the first time Samsung has introduced a glass panel on the back of an A-series phone. However, the main body frame is still made of plastic. The phone's overall look highly resembles the Galaxy S24’s and the concurrent release, the Galaxy M55’s. Among the three resembling phones, the Galaxy A35 comes at the minimum price.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy M55 Review: Here’s What It Offers
The 161.7 mm by 78 mm by 8.2 mm plastic body frame touches are polished, maintaining a smooth brushed feel. The 209g weight can feel heavy sometimes. On the right side of the frame, the portion holding the volume rockers and the power button has been nudged up. So that users can comfortably reach the button with their fingers. Like the Galaxy S24, the A35 has three distinct circular camera modules horizontally placed on the top left area of the back.
On the front, the phone keeps it flat and introduces the second satisfactory change to the usual design of the A-series phone. Ditching the ancient water drop design, Samsung has seated a punch-hole camera module.
Apart from that, Users will get a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on the screen. For the sensor, an in-display fingerprint with a fast response has been installed. Finally, the front of the phone reveals a noticeable bezel around the display, which is probably the only crack in the phone's design.
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Display
Like the Galaxy M55, the Galaxy A35 has installed a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display. Sustaining the well-established prestige of Samsung’s display, the Galaxy A35 surfaces crisp and vivid pictures. The touch response is adaptive and can reach up to 120Hz, the industry standard for a mid-budget phone. The only exception may be the Motorola Edge 40, which has used a 144Hz refresh rate without tripping beyond the mid-budget range.
The display supports HDR10, 1080 by 2340 pixels resolution, and 390 ppi pixel density. Assembled, these features demonstrate a high-quality display. It employs a 1000 nits brightness level, sufficient for a comfortable indoor and outdoor phone maneuver.
Among the market peers, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro offers a higher spec in a few cases, mentioning a peak 1800 nit brightness level, 1220 by 2712 pixels resolution, and 446 ppi density.
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Cameras
Camera specs are where The Galaxy A35 has deviated from the Galaxy M55. Both phones house a triple back camera setup and a single front lens. But the difference lies in the capacity of the lenses of the two phones. The Galaxy A35 has a 50MP primary wide-angle camera with OIS support. The other two lenses are an 8MP ultrawide and a 5MP Macro lens.
The front punch-hole houses a 13MP selfie camera, which is a far degradation compared to the M55’s 50MP front lens. At least a 16MP would do better if using a 32MP was impossible. Direct competitors like Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro and vivo iQOO Z7 Pro both have 16MP lenses for their selfie cameras.
Pictures snapped with the Galaxy A35 are of good quality and don’t fall short in terms of detail compared to its other market peers. Both primary and secondary cameras can record videos at 4K resolution. Indeed, it will end a sigh of sadness that Samsung budget phone users have been suppressing for a long time.
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Performance and Hardware
For the chipset, the Galaxy A35 uses the Exynos 1380 octa-core processor, which is explicitly powerful and uses 5nm technology. A Mali-G68 MP5 GPU supports the phone's visual processing tasks. Heavy gaming and video-consuming are possible without experiencing any lagging or heating. The phone offers three variants combining a 6GB or 8GB ROM with a 128GB or 256 GB internal storage. An Antutu 603441 and a GeekBench 2931 score demonstrate the robust performance capacity of the phone.
Users will get Samsung’s dedicated One UI 6.1 OS, a customized Android 14 variant designed to provide smooth and stylish phone maneuvers.
Battery and Charger
Samsung’s signature 5000mAh battery with 25W charging capacity once again takes care of the power supply unit of their latest A-series phone A35. A minimal-consuming session can run around 10 to 12 hours with battery support.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy A55 5G Review: A Budget-friendly Version of Galaxy S24?
Pros and Cons of the Samsung Galaxy A35
Pros
- Sleek glass back design- Punch-hole display for a modern look- Reliable performance for gaming and multitasking- Samsung One UI 6.1 for smooth user experience- Long-lasting 5000mAh battery.
Cons
- Plastic body frame- Lower resolution front camera compared to competitors- Limited camera features compared to other models- Not the highest refresh rate in its price range- Display bezels could be thinner.
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Price of Samsung Galaxy A35 in Bangladesh
The Samsung Galaxy A35 has been revealed in the USA market, and its price starts from $367.86 or BDT 40,356. (USD 1 = BDT 109.70). However, the official price of Galaxy A35 in Bangladesh may vary due to tax and other issues.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy A35 impresses by introducing a glass back design and punch-hole display on a Galaxy A series phone. It delivers reliable performance for gaming and multitasking, thanks to the powerful Exynos 1380 octa-core processor. With Samsung's One UI 6.1 ensuring a smooth user experience and a long-lasting 5000mAh battery, it's a solid mid-budget option.
However, the plastic body frame, lower resolution front camera, and limited camera features are notable drawbacks. Despite these, the Galaxy A35 stands out for its overall performance and design. Even with rough competition from phones like Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro, vivo iQOO Z7 Pro, and Motorola Edge 40, the Samsung Galaxy A35 keeps the possibility of being able to shine in the market.
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Samsung Galaxy M55 Review: Here’s What It Offers
Smartphone lovers wait all year, hoping for Samsung releases. Samsung presented the latest Galaxy M55 in Brazil on 28 March. Fans are now curious about the features that the phone offers. Let’s take a look at what Samsung Galaxy M55 offers.
Key Specs and Features of Samsung Galaxy M55
Design
Up until now, the Samsung Galaxy M55 has been expected to match the Galaxy A55 in features and specifications. However, the reality falls further away from that expectation. With the Galaxy A55, people have experienced the epitome of design from a mid-budget phone. It employed a metal body with a flat look sandwiched with glass shields on both the rear and front. Whereas, the Galaxy M55 uses an average plastic body design with slight curves on the sides.
The Galaxy A55 gave way more premium feel compared to that given by the Galaxy M55. The phone is 7.8mm thick and weighs 180g.
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The latest addition to the M series has three protruded camera buckets on the back keeping the concurrent trend for the camera modules. The fingerprint sensor is located below the mid-bottom part of the display. Unlike the dual speaker in the Galaxy A55, the M55 uses a mono speaker.
Other specifications about the design of the phone appear to be as usual. A sim card holder is rooming two 5G sim nano sim cards or a single sim card and a memory card that can be expandable to 1TB. Minimal bezel, punch hole front lens, smooth volume rockers, headphone jack, and other features are just on par. For colours, Samsung has provided two variations- a Dark Blue and a Light Green.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy M55 boasts a 6.7-inch super AMOLED+ high-resolution vivid display. Users will have an experience of Full HD+ resolution. With a pixel density of 393ppi, the display will surface a lively and near-accurate projection of the objects. The display also has a 1000-nit brightness level, which means it will be sufficient to preserve a glowing brightness regardless of the indoor or outdoor ambiance.
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The Samsung Galaxy M55 has implemented an adaptive refresh rate feature. So, the touch response rate will adapt to a user's necessity and set itself at 60 to 120Hz. The display will give an experience similar to a premium phone.
Performance
The hardware and software used in the Galaxy M55 are noteworthy as they can provide a satisfactory experience. For the processor, users will get a 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 SoC, undoubtedly a powerful engine, if combined with the right combination, capable of doing wonders.
Mentioning the combination, the Samsung Galaxy M55 has integrated an Adnino 644 graphics module, 8GB RAM, along with a 256 ROM. Together, the hardware unit can yield considerable performance. In the Antutu testing, the phone has made a remarkable 6.67K, which suffices the performance requirements for all high-quality games.
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There will be three variations of the phone- 8GB * 128GB, 8GB * 256GB, and 12GB * 256GB. In the software section, users will celebrate Samsung’s modified operating system One UI version 6.1. This version is based on the latest Android 14 OS. Samsung will provide 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security updates, meeting the expectations of people from a brand. Compared to the overall features of the phone, the performance of the Galaxy M55 is its most powerful aspect.
Cameras
If the performance segment is the most powerful feature of the Samsung Galaxy M55, which will be the second most satisfactory aspect of the phone? Without any doubt, it’s its camera segment. With a robust triple camera setup containing a 50MP wide-angle principal lens, an 8MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro auxiliary lens, the Galaxy M55 maintains its dignity among all mid-budget phones.
Pleasing the users to their best, the Galaxy M55 engraves a 50MP frontal lens in the punchhole on the top-mid of the display. Both rear and front lenses snap quality photos.
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Video recording capacity is capped at 720p 240FPS for slow motion and 4K 30FPS for the highest quality. Another departure from the Galaxy A55 specification lies in the absence of Ai features in the cameras.
Battery and Charger
Mid-budget phones usually power themselves with a 5000mAh battery, and the Galaxy M55 is not an anomaly. Its battery supports up to 45W fast charging.
Price of Samsung Galaxy M55
The phone is officially available in the Brazilian market for pre-order. The 8GB * 256GB version of the phone comes for BRL 3,199 or BDT 69,912. The conversion rate here is 1 BRL = BDT 21.85.
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Pros and Cons of the Samsung Galaxy M55
Pros
- Powerful Snapdragon processor- Stunning super AMOLED+ display- Versatile triple camera setup- 5000mAh battery with fast charging- Long-term software support.
Cons
- Plastic body design- Lack of AI camera features- No wireless or reverse charging support.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy M55 offers a blend of impressive features and specifications. Despite falling short of some design expectations with its plastic body, it makes up for it with a powerful Snapdragon processor, a stunning super AMOLED+ display, and a versatile triple camera setup that captures quality photos and videos. The phone's 5000mAh battery with fast charging support ensures long-lasting usage, while its long-term software support adds to its appeal. However, the absence of AI camera features and the lack of an included charger are notable drawbacks.
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Samsung Galaxy A55 5G Review: A Budget-friendly Version of Galaxy S24?
The Galaxy A series has often been considered the toned-down version of the flagship S series. It has been Samsung’s reliable mid-range device that mimics the look and feel of the flagship. Samsung recently launched the Galaxy A55 on 15th March 2024 globally. As a successor of the A54, how does it stack up against its predecessor? More importantly, does it hold ground on par with its competitors? Let’s find out.
Key Specs of Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
Design and Build Quality
The A series has always been replicative of the S series. Users would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the two side by side. The A55 follows the S24 with its glass front, aluminum frame, and glass back.
The frame has a brushed finish on the A55 which oddly enough, gives it a more premium look than the S24. The frame around the volume rocker and the power button is slightly raised which aids in the overall ergonomics.
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Dimension-wise the A55 comes in at 161.1 mm by 77.4 mm by 8.2 mm with 213 g weight. The overall dimension is a tad bit larger than last year’s A54. The front screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, the same as that of the S24. In line with the flagship, Samsung has finally introduced a symmetrical display on the A series.
In addition to the highest 256 GB storage, the A55 also comes with a shared micro SDXC slot. There’s unfortunately no headphone jack on the A55 which was expected as Samsung stopped its inclusion in the A series. The A55 comes in Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, and Lemon colors which gives it distinction from the S24.
The Display
Samsung is often touted to create the best smartphone display in the market. The A55 stands up to that hype with its 6.6-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ panel with 1000 nits of HBM. The symmetrical display is 0.2 inch larger than the one on A54 with a center punch hole for the front camera.
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The resolution of the display comes in at 1080 by 2340 pixels with 390 ppi and an unusual 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The screen-to-body ratio has also seen a jump at 85.8% which is the highest among any A series device to date. With over 16 M color support, the A55 is one of the most vibrant and eye-pleasing devices in the mid-range category.
The Camera The A55 features a triple camera setup just like its predecessor. The main sensor is a 50 MP f/1.8 with PDAF and OIS. The secondary sensors are a 12 MP f/2.2, 123˚ ultrawide shooter, and a 5 MP f/2.4 macro shooter. The front features the usual 32 MP f/2.2 selfie camera.
It is difficult to differentiate the camera performance of the A55 from that of the A54 as both of them feature identical sensors. The pictures came out great in daylight with good color balance and dynamic range.
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The post-processing on the A55 seems to have slightly improved as it shows better exposure and portrait details side by side with the A54. The edge detection in the portrait mode has also gotten better.
Pictures taken in artificial light or low light suffer a bit from softness and grains. The night mode is stable in low light as it does an excellent job of capturing details and maintaining the overall sharpness of the image. The quality of the selfie camera is also as usual. It produces decent pictures with good details in bright conditions.
The videography on the A55 is rated to be 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30/60fps with gyro-EIS. OIS and EIS both work well to produce stable videos with good exposure.
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Samsung Galaxy Ring: Specs, Features, and Probable Release Date
Samsung unexpectedly revealed a new product, called the Galaxy Ring, alongside its Galaxy S24 smartphone series. However, there was very little information available about this “smart ring”, except for the expected release later this year. Recently, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the company hosted a discussion to provide some additional details about this new product category.
What is the Samsung Galaxy Ring?
Samsung is marketing the Galaxy Ring as a device suited for those who desire the perks of a smartwatch without being overwhelmed by excessive data. Since the smart ring doesn't have a screen for interaction, it's believed that users will find it easier to adopt and wear one. They can still enjoy health tracking features without having to learn a new interface.
However, it's important to note that the ring isn't intended to replace Samsung's Galaxy Watch series. According to Hon Pak, vice president of Samsung's Digital Health Team, individuals will have the option to wear both a Galaxy Watch6 and the Galaxy Ring simultaneously, allowing them to access more comprehensive health data.
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Invention
The Galaxy Ring from Samsung represents a significant innovation in wearable technology, particularly in the realm of digital health. Unlike traditional smartwatches, the Galaxy Ring focuses on essential health tracking without the need for screen interaction, offering a minimalist and user-friendly experience. With its lightweight design and customizable options, including various sizes and finishes, it sets a new standard for comfort and personalization.
Equipped with advanced sensors for heart rate monitoring and step counting, the Galaxy Smart Ring promises to deliver comprehensive health insights in a sleek and convenient form factor. As anticipation grows for its release, it's poised to revolutionise how we approach personal health monitoring.
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: The Flagship Benchmark for 2024
Every year, Samsung starts with its flagship lineup for the year which becomes the standard for all flagships to follow. This year, Samsung followed the legacy by announcing the S24 series on 17th January 2024. The S24 Ultra, the latest and greatest in the lineup, is an incremental update over last year’s S23 Ultra. But there’s so much more to it than meets the eye. Let's take a look at the features, pros, cons, and price of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Key Specifications of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Design and Build Quality: Refined to Perfection
Samsung has always been true to the “Don’t fix it if it isn’t broken” ideology. From the back, the S24 Ultra looks identical to the outgoing S23 Ultra. However, the front side has been revamped in favor of a completely flat screen instead of the curve. And this year, it’s all titanium on the frame with seven different colorways to choose from.
The device comes in at 162.3 mm by 79 mm by 8.6 mm, a smidgeon smaller and slimmer than last year’s flagship. The front glass has been bumped up to Gorilla Glass Armor with the back featuring the standard Victus. The Ultra is also a tad bit lighter at 232 g thanks to the aluminum build. That’s about it when it comes to design changes.
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The quad camera, stylus, sim slot, and the Type C port are all where they used to be from last year. The IP68 water resistance is also there as is standard on most flagships these days. The flat screen is, however, the biggest change and it might prove to be the game changer for the S24 Ultra as it is generally preferred over a curved one.
The Display: Samsung’s Supremacy Bumped Up to New Heights
If there’s one thing Samsung flagships have consistently done right, it has to be the display. The S24 Ultra takes that a notch up even with its minor updates.
The flat 6.8-inch screen is what Samsung is calling their Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X. The flat screen has a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and upgraded 2600 nits of peak brightness. The panel holds a 1440 by 3120 pixels resolution with an uncommon 19.5:9 ratio and 505 ppi density. Being flat on all sides, the screen-to-body ratio comes in at 88.5%.
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This year Samsung has added an extra layer of anti glaring coating on the Gorilla Glass Armor. The result is a bright, crisp, and sharp display that is just pure joy to navigate.
The Camera: A Utilitarian Approach
The quad camera on the S24 Ultra features a 200 MP f/1.7 24 mm wide angle main shooter. The sensor is complemented by a 10 MP f/2.4 67 mm telephoto and 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120-degree ultra-wide camera. The periscope lens has been updated to a 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm lens from a 10 MP one. The new periscope sensor can shoot up to 5x instead of 10x on the last generation.
The cameras are stacked with features like multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS, and many other technical prowess. The result is a camera that can churn out 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, and 1080p@960fps all the while maintaining HDR10+ quality.
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On the front side, S24 Ultra sports a 12MP (f/2.2) selfie shooter. It can capture a maximum of 4k videos at 30 and 60fps.
It’s difficult to pinpoint what exactly changed in terms of picture quality. The typical Samsung processing is on full show with sharpened images and great dynamic range. The night mode or Nightography as Samsung calls it, uses AI to identify different subjects within an image and direct exposure accordingly.
Samsung has also partnered with Instagram and Snapchat for a direct feed upload for lossless image sharing on their platforms. Simply put, Samsung slightly upped the bar for an already great camera system.
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Processor and Performance: A New Level of AI Integration
The S24 Ultra is running the latest Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor based on the 4 Nm architecture. This is the first time a Snapdragon processor has beaten the current Apple flagship silicone for mobiles. On top of that, the S24 Ultra is using a customized version of the chipset for an even greater performance boost.
On paper, the 8 Gen 3 features 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A52 chips with Adreno 750 GPU.
S24 Ultra runs on One UI 6.1 on top of Android 14.
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There’s a new heat-dissipating tech on the Ultra which does an excellent job at keeping the phone cool, even under heavy duress. Games like PUBG, Genshin Impact, and Asphalt 9 ran smoothly without any frame drops whatsoever.
But what’s interesting about Ultra is the incorporation of Galaxy AI. The S24 Ultra heavily incorporates AI for photo editing, note-taking, translation, and even quick image search using the S pen.
The smartphone is now able to transcribe recordings, make summaries, and optimize photos even before the shutter is clicked. There’s so much to grasp here that Samsung has its twinkling assistant to guide users wherever they can use AI on the phone.
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Battery and Charge Time: A Two-Day Battery Capacity
The battery on the S24 Ultra is a 5000 mAh one with 45W wired fast charging and 15W wireless Qi charging. The wired brick can take the smartphone up to 65% in 30 minutes. There’s also 4.5W reverse wireless charging similar to the S23 Ultra.
In terms of use, the S24 Ultra will comfortably last a day and a half.
Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Pros:
- Gorgeous flat-screen - Updated build quality - Utility-focused camera updates - Great battery - A new bar in performance - Galaxy AI.
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Cons:
- Minute incremental update over the S23 Ultra- It is a bit pricey.
Price of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The S24 Ultra comes in at 12/256 GB, 12/512 GB, and 12 GB/ 1 TB configuration. The official price of the variants are 1,29,999 INR, 1,39,999 INR, and 1,59,999 INR. The price roughly translates to about 1,71,806 BDT, 1,85,022 BDT, and 2,11,454 BDT respectively (1 INR =1.32 BDT).
Verdict: The Best Money Can Buy
The S24 Ultra is a glaring testament to the best of what Android can offer. With its slightly updated design, build quality, camera, and processor, the S24 Ultra feels like a minor update over the previous gen. However, the high level of AI integration combined with the flat screen makes the S24 Ultra unique in its way.
At over 1300 USD, the S24 Ultra isn’t for everyone, certainly not for those who already own an S23 Ultra. But there’s no doubt that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will be the flagship standard for 2024.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Review: An Incremental Update Nearing Perfection
Samsung entered the foldable smartphone market back in 2019 with their Galaxy Fold. Since then, the brand has introduced a new foldable each year with incremental updates. This year, users will get the Z Fold5 with several new developments over last year’s fold. Samsung launched the Z Fold5 on 11th August in India. Let’s check out what’s changed from the Z Fold4 and how it stacks up against the competitors.
Key Specifications of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
Design and Build Quality
The design of the Fold from its first generation to the current iteration has stayed fairly similar. The changes from the Fold4 to the Fold5 are so minute that it’s difficult to tell them apart unless looked at closely. The only visible design change on the Fold5 is the shift in the flashlight position.
However, the biggest change in the Fold5 is in the hinge mechanism. It is now made from armored aluminum with a dual rail structure. The new hinge mechanism allows the device to fold flat, unlike the wedge-shaped gap that was seen up until the last generation.
The unfolded dimension of the device is 154.9 mm by 129.9 mm by 6.1 mm while the folded dimension comes in at 154.9 mm by 67.1 mm by 13.4 mm. The relatively compact form factor makes for 235 g of effective weight on the Fold5. The aluminum frame and the plastic inner screen are the same as before with the outer screen and back getting the updated Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
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Additionally, the device is IPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min). There is also stylus support like the last generation.
Overall, the design and build quality has seen a little update over the last generation. It’s the same refined Samsung design with some minor tweaks here and there.
The Display
The display on the Galaxy Z Fold5 is also similar to that of last year’s Fold4. The inner screen is Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. The 7.6-inch inner screen has an 1812 x 2176 pixels (QXGA+) resolution which accommodates 373 ppi. The near-symmetrical display also has an impressive 91.1% screen-to-body ratio. The inner display is brighter this time around on the Fold5. In a test, the manual brightness slider could go up to 800 nits, and in auto mode, it could go up to 1100 nits.
The outer display is what Samsung is calling their Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. It comes with a 120Hz refresh rate. The 6.2-inch display is tall and narrow with a 23.1:9 ratio at 904 x 2316 pixels. The HBM on the outer screen can also go up to 1150 nits.
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While the quality of the panel is impeccable as ever, Samsung couldn’t find a way around the crease. It is one of those drawbacks that foldable enthusiasts will have to put up with for the time being.
The Camera
There is a triple camera setup on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5. The camera system is almost identical to last year’s Fold4 with most of the changes happening at the processing end.
The main camera is a 50 MP f/1.8 sensor. It's a 23mm wide angle lens with standard OIS and PDAF. The secondary cameras are a 10 MP, f/2.4 telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and a 12 MP f/2.2 123 ̊ ultrawide sensor.
The main camera can take some amazing shots in daylight. Pictures had good details and contrast to them along with decent dynamic range. The images come out in 12 MP in the auto mode through pixel binning technology. Portrait shots came out pretty well through the main lens with great subject details and realistic background blur. The ultrawide and the telephoto lenses also did their part pretty well.
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The image quality stayed consistent in artificial and low-light conditions as well. The variable shutter speed of the main lens assisted in taking well-exposed images with good details and colors in low light. The videography on the Fold5 is absolutely stacked with 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/240fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps (gyro-EIS) with all having HDR10+ support.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Is it really the ‘iPad killer’?
Blending cutting-edge technology and innovative design, Samsung's Galaxy Tab 'S' series has consistently set new benchmarks in the realm of premium tablets. The latest addition of this series, S9 Ultra, debuted on August 11, 2023. This device stands as a testament to Samsung's commitment to pushing the boundaries of tablet technology. With a bunch of exclusive features Tab S9 Ultra has thrown challenges to the rivals. Now, the question arises, can S9 Ultra compete with the iPad Pro? Let’s take a look into the specs, pros, cons and price of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.
Key Features of Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Design
Similar to the Tab S8 Ultra, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra emerges as a colossal tablet that distinctly outshines its rivals. Despite its substantial dimensions measuring 12.85 by 8.21 by 0.22 inches, the device maintains a relatively lightweight profile, tipping the scales at just 1.61 pounds.
Samsung has done a great job with this, and its Tab S9 Ultra is a full millimeter thinner than the iPad Pro 12.9. However, weighing only 1.5 pounds, it appears lighter than the S9 Ultra.
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The power and volume buttons are situated along the right edge of the tablet, oriented vertically. Positioned near the lower right corner is a microSD card slot. The rear side is adorned with dual rear-facing cameras and a magnetic strip designed to secure and charge the accompanying S Pen. Quad speakers are housed within, projecting sound through grilles running along the tablet's sides, coinciding with the singular USB-C port. Regrettably, the absence of a headphone jack is notable.
All variations of the Galaxy Tab S9 come equipped with an IP68 waterproof certification, offering enhanced dust resistance compared to the previous year's Galaxy Tab S8 lineup. For those inclined to use tablets in poolside or beach settings, this represents a noteworthy upgrade over the prior model, alleviating concerns about potential damage to the device.
Display
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra boasts a large 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, overshadowing the comparatively smaller 12.9-inch display of the iPad Pro. However, size alone doesn't necessarily equate to superiority in display quality.
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In terms of display benchmarks, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and the latest iPad Pro stand closely aligned. Both devices offer similar brightness levels, with the Tab S9 Ultra achieving 592 nits (adaptive) and the iPad Pro hitting 591 nits (adaptive). The color reproduction also showcases a close match, as the Tab S9 Ultra covers 117.7% of the sRGB color gamut and 83.4% of the DCI-P3 color space in its Natural mode. This is complemented by an impressive Delta-E score of 0.17. In its Vivid mode, the Tab S9 Ultra pushes the boundaries even further with percentages of 181.7% for sRGB, 128.7% for DCI-P3, and a Delta-E score of 0.18.
Evaluating the brightness factor, the Tab S9 Ultra manages to achieve commendable levels, especially when handling HDR content. The Tab S9 Ultra’s display is of a huge 1848 x 2960 pixels resolution which is incomparable to other market competitors.
Performance and Software
Equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and running on Android 13, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra shares its chip and operating system with phones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
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The review unit of the Tab S9 Ultra, identical to the entry-level model, incorporates 12GB of RAM. This, combined with the swift Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 4nm chip, results in impressive performance for an Android device. Nonetheless, it falls short of matching the performance level of the iPad Pro.
Benchmark outcomes reveal the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra's capabilities. It scored commendable figures on the Geekbench 5 CPU benchmark, with 1,560 for single-core and 4,970 for multi-core performance. The tablet also managed a score of 14,722 and achieved 88 frames per second on the 3DMark WildLife Unlimited test, assessing graphics performance. While the iPad Pro outperformed the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra in these aspects, Samsung's tablet is still more than capable of handling demanding mobile games.
Samsung Galaxy A24 4G Review: What’s special about it?
Samsung Galaxy A24 is another addition to the Galaxy A series which is renowned for providing lower-mid to mid-range quality smartphones. The phone was released in the US market on May 5, 2023. This comprehensive review will explore how it performs in real-life scenarios and whether it has what it takes to outperform other mid-range smartphones.
Key Features of Samsung Galaxy A24 4G
Design
Samsung Galaxy A24 boasts a dimension of 162.1 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm and weighs 195g. This device offers Dual SIM capabilities with Nano-SIM support, providing a convenient dual stand-by feature.
In terms of design, Galaxy A24 appears to stick with its signature look for the A-series phones. The rear of the phone resembles the Samsung Galaxy S23, showcasing a triple-camera ring on a flat panel along with the iconic Samsung logo at the bottom. Though the back panel is made of plastic, it mimics the appearance of glass, adding a touch of elegance to the device. However, it's worth noting that the back panel's glossy finish tends to attract fingerprints and smudges easily.
Galaxy A24 is available in four colors — black, lime green, blue gradient, and dark red. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A24 offers a sturdy build that is easy to handle, boasting an appealing appearance. Slimmer bezels or a hole-punch display would have undoubtedly enhanced its aesthetic appeal.
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Taking a closer look at the phone's features, the A24 has a single microphone on the top, while the bottom houses a 3.5mm headphone jack, microphone, USB-C port, and speaker.
The triple slot on the left side accommodates two nano-SIM cards and a microSD card for additional storage. Meanwhile, the power and volume buttons are conveniently placed on the right side. Interestingly, the power button doubles as a fingerprint scanner, providing the added convenience of always-on functionality alongside fast and reliable biometric authentication.
Display
Samsung Galaxy A24 comes with a significant display upgrade, moving from a TFT to a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED panel. The display has 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution and offers a crisp and clear visual experience. The added advantage of a 90Hz refresh rate enhances the overall smoothness, providing a faster and more enjoyable user interface.
With a peak brightness of 1000 nits, the A24's AMOLED panel ensures bright and vivid visuals, even under direct sunlight. While HDR support is absent, the colors remain vibrant, and the viewing angles are impressively wide.
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The display's sharpness contributes to an engaging content-viewing experience, elevating the enjoyment of multimedia consumption on this device. However, it's worth noting that the A24 does not support dynamic refresh rates, meaning that both static content and video playback maintain a consistent 90Hz refresh rate, with the camera app being the only exception.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy A24 boasts a versatile camera setup featuring a triple rear camera configuration. The main camera has a 50MP sensor, boasting an f/1.8 aperture, PDAF, and OIS. Accompanying it is a 5MP ultrawide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and a 2MP macro sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. On the front, the device sports a 13MP selfie camera.
The 5MP ultrawide sensor, while providing well-balanced exposure, tends to produce slightly dull-looking photos with noticeable noise. Nevertheless, the color profile remains consistent with the main sensor, and the distortion correction excels on the A24.
For portrait shots, the A24 impresses with its ability to capture compelling images, featuring pleasing colors, effective edge detection, and a commendable background blur effect. The subject remains in focus, and skin tones appear natural. As for selfies, the device performs well in daylight, delivering detailed and natural-looking faces with effective HDR to manage background highlights. However, indoor selfies suffer from noise and lack of sharpness.
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Video recording capabilities include up to 1080p 30fps with the primary camera. Daylight videos showcase sharpness, vibrant colors, and balanced exposure, with the added benefit of OIS for stabilization. In a comparison against the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G, the A24 demonstrated superior video quality. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A24's camera setup provides a satisfactory photography and videography experience, making it a compelling choice in its price segment.
Performance and Software
The Samsung Galaxy A24 comes with its cutting-edge 6nm MediaTek MT8781 Helio G99 chipset. Boasting a clocking speed of up to 2×2.2GHz, this entry-level phone delivers impressive processing power for seamless performance. To provide a heavy gaming experience, the phone uses Mali-G57 MC2 graphical chipset.
The user interface has OneUI 5.1, based on Android 13, offering a sleek experience that allows for easy home screen customization to meet individual preferences.
Storage won't be an issue with the generous 128GB space, providing ample room for multimedia data, apps, and files. Plus, the option to choose between 4GB to 8GB RAM configurations ensures smooth multitasking capabilities.
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The dedicated secondary storage is a standout feature, offering even more space and expanding storing limits. With the Samsung Galaxy A24, expect a seamless and personalized smartphone experience without compromise.
Battery and Charger
The Samsung Galaxy A24 is equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 5000mAh battery, ensuring long-lasting power for uninterrupted usage. Additionally, the device supports 25W fast charging through its Type-C port, allowing for quick recharging when needed.
In real-world usage, the A24 demonstrates impressive battery endurance, capable of lasting more than a day with approximately 6-7 hours of screen-on time under moderate usage conditions.
However, it's important to note that while the A24 supports fast charging, Samsung has opted not to include a charger in the box. Therefore, users will need to acquire a compatible fast charger separately to take full advantage of the rapid charging capabilities.
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Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy A24
Pros
- Large and vibrant display with Full HD+ resolution.- Powerful performance- Impressive triple camera setup- Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with 25W fast charging support.- Attractive design and available in four color options.
Cons
- No official IP rating for water and dust resistance- Limited video recording capabilities at 1080p 30fps.- Plastic build materials may feel less premium compared to metal or glass.
Price of Samsung Galaxy A24 4G
The phone is not yet officially available in Bangladesh. In the US, the phone's 128GB 4GB RAM version costs $ 181.99 or BDT 19,912. The conversion rate here is USD 1 = BDT 109.42.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy A24 4G is a commendable addition to the A series of smartphones, offering great quality at a reasonable price point. With its high resolution Super AMOLED display users can enjoy a crisp and smooth visual experience, making it ideal for multimedia consumption. The versatile camera setup delivers satisfactory photography and videography capabilities. The device's performance ensures seamless multitasking and gaming experiences. If you want a phone that falls into the lower-mid category and offers extra power and a better display, you can go for the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G.
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Samsung Galaxy A54 vs realme 11 Pro+: Who wins the battle?
Marques Brownlee, more commonly known as MKBHD, the famous tech YouTuber once said, “Cheap phones are getting good and good phones are getting cheaper”. A look into the current market of smartphones also reveals the same. Among the mid-range releases this year, the Samsung Galaxy A54 and the realme 11 Pro+ stand out as great phones that are surprisingly inexpensive. So which is the better buy? Let’s find out.
Samsung Galaxy A54 vs realme 11 Pro+: Key Differences
Design and Build Quality
The design of the two phones couldn’t be more different than they are. Both of them have a plastic frame but the A54 edges out in the sense that it has a glass back. However, the 11 Pro+ is not slack as there’s a choice of faux leather back to bring flagship-like premium looks.
The A54 looks minimalistic with a frosted back, vertical camera housing, and a simple Samsung engraving. On the other hand, the 11 Pro+ has a very busy back with a vertical stripe, rounded camera housing, and contrasting colors. The 11 Pro+ is a clear winner here when it comes to design.
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The 11 Pro+ comes in at 161.6 x 73.9 x 8.2 mm with the A54 coming in at 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm. Even though the A54 is a bit smaller than the 11 Pro Plus it is slightly heavier at 202 gm compared to 183 gm or 189 gm (leather) of the 11 Pro+. The Gorilla Glass protection on the A54 is complemented by IP67 water and dust resistance. None of these are present on the 11 Pro+.
The external features on both devices are more or less the same. Except the A54 comes with micro SDXC support on the shared sim slot.
When it comes to design, things are pretty much subjective. But as for the build quality and protection, the A54 slightly edges out the 11 Pro+.
The Display
It’s often difficult to beat Samsung in the display category. But the 11 Pro+ comes pretty close. Both devices come with an AMOLED panel with 1B color, 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and HBM.
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The display on the 11 Pro+ is slightly taller at 6.7 inches compared to the 6.4 inches on the A54. The taller display also accounts for a peculiar 20:9 aspect ratio. That brings the 1080P display ppi to 394 compared to the 403 ppi on the A54.
But the curved panel on the 11 Pro+ accounts for a 90.5% screen-to-body ratio. Compared to the 11 Pro+, the bezel might look larger on the A54 with an 82.9% screen-to-body ratio.
Ultimately, the display of the A54 prevails over the 11 Pro+ with crisper color, better sharpness, and a slightly better HBM.
The Camera
The camera module on the A54 and 11 Pro+ has very contrasting specs and even more contrasting performance in an unexpected way. Let’s clarify.
Both devices come with a triple camera module. The A54 has a 50 MP main sensor, 12 MP ultrawide, and 5 MP macro shooter. On the other hand, the 11 Pro Plus has a whooping 200 MP main sensor, 8 MP ultrawide, and a 2 MP macro.
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Performance-wise, both devices are on par. Pictures look crisp and detailed in daylight with decent dynamic range. Not to mention, in many cases megapixel counts mean nothing. Both the cameras performed well in low light but the Samsung takes an edge with more consistent exposures.
The videography of the 11 Pro+ has the highest capacity of 4K at 30 fps with the slo-mo being pushed up to 960 fps at 720P. The A54 can really match the ultra slo-mo of the 11 Pro+ as it maxes out at 480 fps. However, 4K at 30 fps is also present on the A54.
The front camera is the same 32 MP shooter in both devices which is good enough for casual selfies and reels.
Processor and Performance
The processor on the Galaxy A54 is the proprietary Exynos 1380 based on a 5 Nm architecture with a chip design of 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. On the other hand, the 11 Pro+ comes with MediaTek Dimensity 7050 based on a 6 Nm architecture with a chip design of 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55.
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Both the devices are powered by Mali G68 GPU with the A54 having the MP5 variant and the 11 Pro+ with the MC4 variant respectively.
In real-life performance, both devices are on par with each other. Both are based on Android 13 with a snappy interface. But in terms of UI, the One UI takes an edge over the Realme UI. The high refresh rate on both devices makes it a treat to interact with the device. For casual use, any of these two would more than suffice.
In terms of high-end gaming, the story is also somewhat similar. Both the devices can run graphics-intensive games like PUBG, COD, Asphalt 9, and Genshin Impact perfectly in mid settings and with some occasional frame drops here and there at max settings.
The devices don’t do a very good job of heat dissipating as they tend to heat up after 30-odd minutes of continued gaming. The heating is more apparent on the A54 as it has a glass back.
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Overall, both devices are capable performers when it comes to the performance side of things.
Battery and Charge Time
Perhaps the biggest difference between the two devices is in the battery department. The Galaxy A54 has a 5000 mAh battery and so does the 11 Pro+. So where is the difference? It has an impressive charge speed of 100W on 11 Pro+. Compared to that, the A54 falls way short with just 25W fast charging.
Table: Comparison of key features
Factor
Samsung Galaxy A54
realme 11 Pro+
Dimensions
158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm
161.6 x 73.9 x 8.2 mm or 8.7 mm
Weight
202 gm
183 or 189 gm
Display
6.4 inch, 1080 by 2340 pixels resolution, Super AMOLED FHD+, 120 Hz, HDR 10+, 1000 nits HBM, 6.4 inches, 403 ppi.
6.7 inch, 1080 by 2412 pixels resolution, AMOLED FHD+, 120 Hz, HDR 10+, 950 nits HBM, 6.7 inches, 394 ppi.
Camera
50 MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture.
12 MP ultrawide rear sensor with f/2.2 aperture and a 123-degree field of view.
5 MP macro (rear sensor) with f/2.4 aperture.
32 MP front camera with f/2.2 aperture
200 MP main sensor with f/1.7 aperture
8 MP ultrawide rear sensor with f/2.2 aperture and 112-degree field of view
2 MP rear macro shooter with f/2.4 aperture.
32 MP front camera with f/2.5 aperture
Processor
Exynos 1380 (5 nm) with Mali G68 MP5
Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) with Mali G68 MP4
Storage (RAM/ROM)
6/128 GB, 8/128 GB, 8/128 GB, 8/256 GB
8/256 GB, 12/256 GB, 12/512 GB, 12GB/ 1 TB
Headphone Jack
No
No
Battery
5000 mAh with 25W wired fast charging
5000 mAh with 100W wired fast charging
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Reasons to consider the Samsung Galaxy A54
Design
Front and back sides of the device Corning Gorilla 5 glass protection.
Waterproof body
It has an IP67 classification, ensuring protection against water damage.
Newer bluetooth version
The device is equipped with Bluetooth v5.3, offering enhanced connectivity features.
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Expandable storage
You can expand the storage capacity of the phone using a MicroSD card of up to 1024GB.
Higher peak brightness
The Galaxy A54 5G delivers higher peak brightness compared to its competitor, resulting in a brighter and more vibrant display.
Front-facing camera with 4K video recording
The phone's front camera can record videos in 4K resolution, allowing for high-quality self-recording.
Ready for eSIM technology
It supports eSIM technology, enabling one to use electronic SIM cards for convenient network connectivity.
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Samsung Galaxy A34 5G Review with Price in Bangladesh
The A series from Samsung has seen several denominations over the years. The series entitles Samsung’s premium mid-range smartphones. Samsung recently launched the A34 5G globally on 24th March 2023. Traditionally, the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G is supposed to be a lower spec than the A54. But this year, things are different. Here’s why.
Key Specifications of Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
Design and Build Quality
For a few years now, Samsung has started to incorporate the flagship S series design into their A-series lineup. While it is not feasible to bring every element to the A series, the overall dimension , and back design surely represent the premium line.
This year too, the A34 is reminiscent of the current S23 flagship, at least on the back design. The same vertical camera design is found on the A34 with a frosted finish. Anyone would be hard-pressed to tell the difference from afar.
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The difference becomes obvious on the front. Unlike the S23, there is a significant amount of bezel all around. Yet Samsung has worked to streamline the overall bezel to give the front a more unified look and it works to some extent.
The build of the device is all around plastic with a glass front and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Weighing 199 g, its design (6.35 by 3.07 by 0.32 inches) is quite manageable with one hand. The device has an IP67 dust and water resistance meaning it can withstand 1 meter water for 30 mins max.
Moving on to ports and buttons, users will have everything standard from Type C ports to volume rockers and power buttons in their usual places. Unfortunately, the headphone jack is not present on the A34 as well.
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Overall, the design and build quality of the A34 are satisfactory as it follows its predecessors and the current flagship.
Display
The 6.6-inch display on the Samsung Galaxy A34 is a Super AMOLED FHD+ one with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The 120 Hz refresh rate is an upgrade from the 90 Hz on the last-gen A33. The panel also features a 1000 nits HBM which makes it perfect for outdoor legibility.
The resolutions of Galaxy A34 are 1080 by 2340 pixels, with 19.5:9 ratio and around 390 ppi density. Speaking of display performance, it's every bit what’s expected from Samsung. It’s safe to say this is the best display in its budget. The colors looked bright and crisp with a slightly warm tone. The viewing angles are also excellent with no weird color shift or blue tint.
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The high refresh rate makes interacting with the panel a buttery smooth experience. To sum it up, the display on the A34 is best as it gets in a mid-range device and is a strong selling point for the device.
The Camera
The camera on the A34 is a triple sensor setup vertically aligned on the back. The main sensor is a 48 MP wide-angle shooter. The complementing sensors are an 8 MP ultrawide and a 5 MP macro shooter.
It might seem like a downgrade from the A33 as it loses the depth sensor. But in practicality, the enhanced main sensor more than makes for the lacking.
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In the test, the camera produced decent results. Images taken in bright light appeared to be highly detailed and the subject separation from the background also seemed to be much better than on the A33. There have been improvements in night photography as well thanks to the more optimized variable shutter on the stock camera app. Pictures looked well exposed with minimal noise and grains. The latter only appears in extremely dark conditions.