Samsung Galaxy A34 5G review: A Mid-range marvel

Samsung recently launched two new devices in the A-series portfolio, the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G and Galaxy A54 5G. Both of these smartphones boast impressive specs and a design reminiscent of the brand's flagship devices, piquing the curiosity of tech enthusiasts. However, it enters a fiercely competitive market, where Nothing and Google offer slightly advanced internals and additional features.

I got my hands on Samsung Galaxy A34, and at first glance, the Samsung Galaxy A34 appears to be a promising mid-range 5G phone, boasting a premium design. It offers a commendable camera, a decent display, and a high-performing chipset. Furthermore, the device is equipped with a 5000mAh battery that delivers reliable backup and support for 25W fast charging.

The Samsung Galaxy A34 seems like a sweet deal on paper, but the real question is, does it justify its asking price? This review will explore the phone's features and performance to determine if it's worth your investment.

Price & availability

Samsung Galaxy A34 is available in two storage variants. The base model is equipped with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, priced at ₹30,999, while the top variant is priced at ₹32,999 and comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

The Galaxy A34 also boasts a range of attractive color options, including Silver, Violet, Lime, and Graphite. Consumers can purchase the phone directly from Samsung's official website or through online platforms such as Amazon and offline stores.

Pros

• Premium design and colourways
• 120Hz AMOLED display
• Competitive performance
• Solid battery backup
• Praisable primary camera

Cons

• Water-drop notch
• 25W charging speed
• No charger in the box
• Low-light camera performance

Key Specifications

• Body: 161.3x78.1x8.2mm, 199g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back; IP67 dust/ water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min).
• Display: 6.60" Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080x2340p resolution, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 390ppi.
• Chipset: Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080
• Memory: 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
• OS/Software: Android 13, One UI 5.1.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 48 MP OIS, Ultra wide angle: 8 MP, Macro: 5 MP, f/2.4.
• Front camera: 13 MP
• Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps | Front camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps.
• Battery: 5000mAh; 25W wired.

Design

The Samsung Galaxy A34 bears a striking resemblance to its high-end counterpart, the Galaxy S23. At first glance of its back panel, one might mistake it for the Galaxy S23 or S23 Plus, as it boasts the same camera lenses at the rear, complete with an LED flash adjacent to them.

The Samsung Galaxy A34's plastic back with a matte finish gives a premium look, and tactile feel when held. The curved frames also sport the same matte finish and are rounded at the edges; although this design choice makes the phone appear slightly thick, it remains well-balanced and weighs around 199 grams.

The back of the phone has three evenly spaced cutouts for the triple camera, giving a premium feel. Meanwhile, the front fails to deliver the same impression due to the presence of a water-drop notch, which appears outdated for a mid-range phone. Samsung could have used a punch hole cutout instead to keep up with current design trends.

Located on the right-hand side of the phone, you'll find the power button and volume rockers, while the left-hand side is devoid of any buttons or ports. The top of the phone is home to the SIM card slot, while the bottom houses the type-C port and primary speaker.

The Galaxy A34 looks nice and has a subtle yellow color that I find attractive. Some young customers might like the lime shade too, as it brings a fresh feel. However, some customers might not like this color option. The phone is thick, so Samsung could've done better in that aspect. If you prioritize style with a slim profile, you might consider looking at the OPPO Reno8 T or iQOO Neo 7 5G instead.

Display performance

The Galaxy A34 5G has a 6.6-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. This refresh rate is an improvement from the previous 90Hz, and the display's brightness levels can go up to 1,000nits due to Samsung's Vision Booster technology. This technology also helps maintain a high level of color accuracy across the brightness curve. The 6.6-inch display is SGS-certified for eyecare, with blue light emissions reduced from 12.5% to 6.5%. Underneath the display, the phone has an optical fingerprint reader for biometric authentication, and the panel is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 that keep the display protected against scratches by keys or other articles in the pocket. It also comes with IP667 rating, meaning the device can survive accidental drops in the water body upto a depth of three feet for up to 30 minutes.

Whether you're navigating through the phone's user interface or playing games, you can feel how smooth and responsive the display is. I really liked using it, and it gets bright enough to use even under direct sunlight. You can adjust the refresh rate in the display settings, with options for High and Standard. However, there is no automatic refresh rate mode, so it's either 120Hz or 60Hz. You can also adjust the screen mode and colors to your liking. The display has vivid colors and good viewing angles, which made watching YouTube videos enjoyable. The bezels are thin, making the content consumption experience even better.

Performance & software

The Samsung Galaxy A34 runs everyday tasks smoothly with no issues or lags. It is equipped with the Dimensity 1080 chipset, up to 8GB RAM, and 256GB of internal storage. Apps open quickly and stay in the background for a long time. Multitasking is easy on this phone, thanks to Samsung's good RAM management.

You can even play graphics-intensive games on it. I tested COD Mobile, Asphalt 9, and Apex Legends Mobile, and they all ran smoothly. COD Mobile could run at High graphics and Very High frame rates, while Apex Legends could run at Ultra HD graphics and High frame rates.

The Samsung Galaxy A34 uses One UI 5.1, based on Android 13. It's simple to use and has features like multi-window, gestures, and dual apps for social media. Samsung promises four years of Android OS support (up to Android 17) and five years of security software support. This is great news for people who want to keep their phones for a long time without worrying about security or software updates.

The phone comes with some pre-installed bloatware that you may not need or want to use, such as Byju's, Prime Video, Snapchat, Truecaller, Spotify, Netflix, and Facebook. But, you can remove all of them easily from the settings.

Battery

The Samsung Galaxy A34 is equipped with a large 5000mAh battery that offers impressive longevity. With more than 6 hours of screen on time, it can easily provide two days of backup for light users. However, for heavy gamers, the battery life may not be as long-lasting. During half an hour of gaming with Apex Legends and COD Mobile, the battery dropped to 50% from 100%.

While the battery performance is commendable, the charging speed is not as impressive. The phone supports only 25W fast charging, and there is no charger provided in the box, only a type-C to type-C cable.

Using an 18W charger, it took approximately 2.5 hours to fully charge the phone from 0 to 100 per cent, which is considered slow.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy A34 has three cameras on the back, including a 48MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP depth camera, and a 13MP front camera for selfies. In daylight, the camera takes clear and bright photos without losing details. In portrait mode, the phone captures natural-looking photos with good subject-background separation. Macro shots are also clear and sharp. However, low-light shots are not great and night mode helps, but still lacks in details.

The ultra-wide shots are nice, but not as detailed as the main camera, and low-light ultra-wide shots are bad. On the front camera, selfies look good with nice sharpness and natural skin tones. Low-light and portrait selfies are also good with details and accurate edge detection.

The device has the capability to capture 4K video at a rate of 30 frames per second, as well as slow-motion footage in HD (720p) at an impressive 480 fps. Moreover, Samsung has integrated some top-of-the-line camera functionalities such as an AI image enhancer, object eraser, Photo Remaster, Snapchat-esque tools with Fun mode, and other features to further elevate the photography experience.

Final thoughts

The Samsung Galaxy A34 is an excellent mid-range 5G smartphone with a premium look and dependable battery performance. It boasts impressive cameras and delivers solid performance for day-to-day tasks. Additionally, the device features a stunning display and stereo speakers that make consuming content a delight.

However, it falls short of its competitors with its 25W charging speed, and the water-drop notch on the otherwise attractive design hinders the display experience. Nonetheless, if you're seeking an everyday mid-range 5G phone, the Samsung Galaxy A34 is a compelling option.