The Indian smartphone market continues to be one of the most competitive globally, especially in the mid-range segment. Amidst growing competition, Samsung has launched the Galaxy M35 5G, a phone that aims to strike the right balance between performance, design, and long-lasting battery life – all at an affordable price. Launched in September 2025, the M35 5G comes packed with notable upgrades over its predecessor and is priced attractively between ₹14,999 and ₹19,999 (ex-showroom). But does it live up to the expectations in real-world use? Here’s a detailed breakdown.
Design and Build Quality: Simple Yet Refined
At first glance, the Galaxy M35 5G looks premium for its price. It sports a sleek matte finish with a glass back and plastic frame, giving it a modern appeal without making it overly flashy. The phone measures around 162.3 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm and weighs approximately 222 grams, which feels substantial in hand but not too bulky.
A key highlight is the IP67 rating for dust and water resistance – a feature still rare in this price bracket. The use of Gorilla Glass Victus+ ensures added protection from accidental drops or scratches. Available in classy shades like Dark Blue and Light Blue, the M35 5G maintains Samsung’s signature minimalist design.
Display: Vivid and Smooth
The smartphone features a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, producing sharp visuals with excellent color reproduction. What makes the experience even better is the 120Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth scrolling and responsive touch performance. With a peak brightness of 1000 nits and HDR10+ support, outdoor visibility and media consumption are both top-notch.
An in-display fingerprint scanner adds to the premium feel and works reliably in most lighting conditions.
Performance: Capable for Most Tasks
Under the hood, the Galaxy M35 5G is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1380 processor, built on a 5nm architecture. It’s an octa-core chipset that clocks up to 2.4 GHz, suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, video calls, and even moderate gaming.
The phone scores between 500,000–600,000 on AnTuTu benchmarks, aligning well with its competition. Users can choose between 6GB and 8GB RAM variants, both paired with 128GB or 256GB UFS 2.2 storage. There’s also support for microSD cards up to 1TB – another plus in this segment.
Samsung’s One UI 6.1 based on Android 14 runs smoothly, although occasional lags may be noticed during multitasking or with heavier apps. Samsung promises 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches, making it a reliable long-term choice.
Camera: Functional But Not a Flagship Killer
The M35 5G is equipped with a triple camera setup:
- 50MP primary sensor with OIS – handles daylight shots well with decent dynamic range and detail.
- 8MP ultra-wide – offers versatility but can lack detail at times.
- 2MP macro – mostly a filler, suitable for basic close-up shots.
On the front, there’s a 13MP selfie camera that performs adequately in well-lit conditions. Video recording maxes out at 4K on the rear and 1080p on the front. Features like night mode, portrait, and AI enhancements are present but don’t dramatically improve low-light results.
While the camera system is functional, it’s not the strongest point of the phone. Competitors in this segment offer slightly better imaging, especially in night photography.
Battery Life and Charging: Long-Lasting Champion
Where the M35 5G truly excels is in battery performance. It packs a massive 6000mAh battery, easily lasting 1.5 to 2 days on a single charge with moderate to heavy use. For users who value endurance over flashy specs, this is a major win.
Charging is handled via 25W fast charging, taking about 80 minutes to go from 0 to 100%. While not the fastest charging in this range, it’s acceptable given the huge battery. There’s no wireless charging, but that’s still rare under ₹20,000.
Connectivity and Extras
Samsung ticks most boxes in terms of connectivity. The M35 5G supports:
- 5G (multiple bands)
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.3
- NFC
- USB-C 2.0
- Dual SIM + microSD expansion
The inclusion of stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack makes it even more appealing for multimedia users. Sensors include accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity, and a reliable fingerprint scanner.
Pricing and Availability
The Galaxy M35 5G starts at:
- ₹14,999 for the 6GB/128GB variant
- ₹19,999 for the 8GB/256GB variant
On-road prices vary slightly across cities with RTO and insurance, bringing the final cost to around ₹16,500–₹22,000. It is currently available online and at major offline retailers, often bundled with festive offers and exchange bonuses.
Verdict: Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G?
If you’re looking for a reliable all-rounder under ₹20,000, the Samsung Galaxy M35 5G is a strong candidate. It delivers excellent battery life, a vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display, solid performance for everyday tasks, and long-term software support.
While the camera system and charging speed are just average, the overall package is impressive for its price. For users prioritizing battery life, screen quality, and brand trust, this phone is a smart buy in the mid-range segment.