Samsung Galaxy A34 5G Review: Samsung’s lower-end A-series device for this year is the Galaxy A34 5G, which has piqued the interest of many consumers. Launched alongside the Galaxy A54 5G, the Galaxy A34 5G is more affordable, starting at Rs 30,999. In this comprehensive 2000-word review, we’ll explore whether the Galaxy A34 5G offers a better value-for-money proposition than its older sibling and if it’s worth your investment.
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G: Display & Design
Samsung‘s Galaxy A34 5G aims to find the sweet spot between affordability and aesthetics with its display and design. The device is equipped with a 6.40-inch 120Hz sAMOLED display, providing a stunning visual experience with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and a 390 PPI density. This high-quality display ensures crisp images and smooth scrolling, making it perfect for gaming, streaming videos, and browsing the web.
The Wide-Vine L1 Support enables users to enjoy high-definition content from streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, while the optical in-display fingerprint sensor ensures quick and secure access. Additionally, the screen brightness is well-optimized, making it comfortable to use the device outdoors without any issues.
However, the Galaxy A34 5G’s design choices might leave some users wanting more. The WaterDrop Notch, while unobtrusive during multimedia consumption, is a dated design element that doesn’t quite align with the expectations for a 2023 smartphone. Furthermore, the slightly thicker bezels surrounding the display make the device look less premium compared to some of its competitors.
The rear of the Galaxy A34 5G borrows design elements from the high-end Galaxy S23 5G, giving it a visually appealing appearance. However, the use of a plastic frame and back may leave users feeling underwhelmed when holding the device.
Despite not incorporating design elements from its predecessor, the A33, the A34 offers unique features such as the Vision Booster. This innovative feature ensures the display brightness is uniform at all times, whether indoors or outdoors. Using ambient light sensors, the Vision Booster intelligently increases brightness when it detects outdoor usage, and compensates accordingly for indoor settings, providing an optimal viewing experience.
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G: Camera
The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G boasts a versatile camera system, featuring a triple camera setup on the back and a capable front-facing camera for selfies. However, while the overall camera performance is commendable, it does struggle in low-light conditions, leaving some users wishing for better performance in these scenarios.
Equipped with a 48MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP depth camera, the Galaxy A34 5G offers a comprehensive photography experience for most users. The main camera excels in daylight, delivering sharp, detailed images with punchy colors and a wide dynamic range. Portrait shots are also well-executed, offering accurate edge detection and adjustable background blur for an impressive bokeh effect.
Despite these strengths, the Galaxy A34 5G’s main camera struggles in low-light conditions. Night mode offers only a marginal improvement in brightness, while detail and clarity are often lacking. This is an area where the A34 5G’s camera performance could use some refinement, as competitors in the same price range may deliver better results in low-light situations.
The ultra-wide lens provides decent performance, allowing users to capture a wider field of view for landscape shots or group photos. However, it falls short of the main camera’s detail quality, and its low-light performance is even more disappointing than that of the main camera.
On the front, the Galaxy A34 5G features a 13MP sensor that produces good-quality selfies. Images exhibit sharpness, detail, and natural skin tones, making the front camera a reliable choice for capturing self-portraits or video calls. Low-light selfies also perform well, maintaining good detail and accurate edge detection, particularly in portrait mode.
The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G offers a versatile camera system that delivers impressive results in daylight and a reliable front-facing camera for selfies. However, its low-light performance leaves room for improvement, with both the main and ultra-wide cameras struggling to produce clear, detailed images in dimly lit conditions. Overall, the Galaxy A34 5G’s camera system provides a satisfactory experience for most users, but those who prioritize low-light photography may wish to explore other options within the same price range.
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G: Performance & Software
The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G delivers a satisfactory performance and software experience for everyday users, but it may not meet the demands of power users and gaming enthusiasts. Equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset, the device’s performance falls short compared to rivals featuring the more powerful Snapdragon 778G.
Those seeking a gaming device should look elsewhere, as the Galaxy A34 5G struggles to run popular titles like COD Mobile and Apex Legends Mobile at higher graphics settings. The limitations of the Dimensity 1080 become more apparent during extended gaming sessions, with smooth gameplay becoming increasingly elusive.
Despite these performance drawbacks, Samsung’s OneUI 5.1 elevates the Galaxy A34 5G’s software experience, bringing the feature-rich interface typically found on the premium Galaxy S series to this mid-range device. With four years of promised OS updates and five years of security updates, Samsung outpaces competitors like Motorola and RealMe, which typically offer only two years of OS updates.
However, the company will need to optimize OneUI more effectively for chipsets like the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 as newer and more demanding Android versions are released. Without such optimization, the Galaxy A34 5G could struggle to maintain its performance levels with future updates, potentially frustrating users who expect a seamless experience throughout the device’s lifespan.
The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G provides a solid daily driver experience for casual users, thanks to its feature-rich software and reliable performance for everyday tasks. However, power users and gaming enthusiasts may find the device’s limitations in performance a deal-breaker. With its long-term software support and the potential for future optimization, the Galaxy A34 5G could still be a viable option for those who prioritize a consistent software experience over raw performance capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G: Battery
The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G offers satisfactory battery life, with its 5,000mAh battery providing enough juice for a full day of regular usage. However, its charging speeds leave room for improvement. The device supports 25W charging, taking approximately 1 hour to charge from 0 to 100%, a rate that is noticeably slower than competitors offering up to 65W charging within the same price range.
While the A34 5G’s battery performance is generally reliable, it’s worth noting that streaming content using cellular data will result in faster battery drain compared to Wi-Fi usage. Nonetheless, users can expect to reach the end of their day without the anxiety of running out of battery.
Unfortunately, the Galaxy A34 5G follows Samsung’s trend of not including a charger in the box, providing only a Type-C-to-Type-C cable. This means prospective owners will need to purchase a separate charger or use an older one they already have. Despite the 25W charging support, the charging speed may be a sticking point for those who prioritize fast charging capabilities in their smartphones.
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G: Connectivity & Additional Features
The Galaxy A34 5G supports 5G connectivity, ensuring fast internet speeds and reliable connections when using compatible networks. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, providing versatile usage for various needs. The device also comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a welcome feature for users who prefer wired audio solutions.
Moreover, the Galaxy A34 5G has a microSD card slot, allowing for expandable storage beyond the built-in capacity. This is an essential feature for users who store extensive media collections or install numerous apps.
Conclusion & Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G is a mixed bag. It offers an attractive design, excellent software support, and a satisfactory camera system. However, the WaterDrop Notch and the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chipset performance are significant drawbacks.
If you’re looking for a mid-range smartphone with a beautiful display, decent camera, and long-term software support, the Galaxy A34 5G might be a good choice. However, if you’re a heavy user or gaming enthusiast, consider other options with better performance, such as those featuring the Snapdragon 778G.
