Samsung Galaxy A34 5G Review: Surprisingly Balanced Mid-Range Excellence
Samsung's mid-range phone lineup has often been criticized for its pricing strategy, with the latest Galaxy A5x series models pushing the boundaries of affordability. However, the Galaxy A34 5G aims to challenge this notion by offering a well-rounded package that outperforms its more expensive sibling, the Galaxy A54 5G.
While the A34 might not have all the bells and whistles of the A54, it manages to excel in crucial areas like performance and battery life, making it a compelling choice in the mid-range segment.
Design and Build:
The design of the Galaxy A34 5G might not be groundbreaking, but it offers practical features that enhance its usability. The phone's IP67-rated dust and water resistance, inherited from its predecessor, is a noteworthy highlight.
Despite using plastic for the back and sides, the build quality remains solid, and the inclusion of a microSD slot alongside the hybrid SIM tray is a thoughtful touch. However, the absence of a 3.5mm headphone port might disappoint some users.
Display and Audio:
The Galaxy A34 5G boasts an excellent 6.6-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. While the bezels might be larger than desired, the display's vivid colors, deep blacks, and high brightness make up for it. The stereo speakers provide pleasing audio quality, although they tend to distort at high volumes. The inclusion of a dedicated speaker at the bottom and the earpiece as the second channel is a plus, but the speakers' performance during phone calls is somewhat lacking.
Camera Performance:
The camera setup on the Galaxy A34 5G offers a mixed bag of results. The ultra-wide and macro cameras produce decent shots in favorable lighting conditions but struggle with detail and noise in challenging scenarios.
The main 48MP camera performs well in most situations, offering good dynamic range and detail during the day. The phone's 13MP front-facing camera provides pleasing portrait images with effective background separation. While the camera modes are comprehensive, the macro camera's low resolution and lack of autofocus limit its usability.
Software and Performance:
Running Android 13 with One UI 5.1 out of the box, the Galaxy A34 5G offers a software experience comparable to Samsung's flagship models.
The device's MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chip delivers surprisingly smooth performance, outperforming even the higher-priced Galaxy A54 with its Exynos chip.
The phone's RAM Plus feature effectively enhances multitasking capabilities, and the A34 handles gaming well, although extended gaming sessions can lead to increased heat around the rear cameras.
Battery Life:
One of the standout features of the Galaxy A34 5G is its exceptional battery life. Despite the MediaTek chip's supposedly less efficient process node, the A34 manages to exceed Samsung's own claims of two-day battery life.
The phone comfortably lasts over two days on a single charge during typical usage, and even under heavy usage involving gaming and video recording, the A34 maintains impressive endurance.
Charging speeds are decent with a 25W charger, though a full charge takes longer than desired. The omission of Wi-Fi 6 support is a minor disappointment.
Verdict:
The Galaxy A34 5G emerges as a surprising mid-range gem from Samsung's lineup. While it lacks the premium features of its pricier counterparts, it excels in performance and battery life, outperforming even its more expensive sibling, the Galaxy A54 5G.
The design might be less premium, but practical features like water resistance and expandable storage make up for it. The camera setup offers a mixed bag of results, but the phone's software experience is commendable.
All in all, the Galaxy A34 5G stands out as a well-balanced mid-range phone that offers excellent value for its price.
