Samsung A35 Vs S10 Is It Worth Upgrading Or Is The Older S10 Still Good

For users holding onto a Samsung Galaxy S10, the question isn’t just about desire—it’s about practicality. The S10 was a flagship powerhouse in 2019, praised for its display, performance, and camera. Now, with the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy A35, a mid-range contender with modern features, many are wondering: does it make sense to upgrade? Or can the S10 still deliver in today’s fast-moving smartphone landscape?

The answer depends on your priorities—whether you value cutting-edge software support, improved durability, or simply better battery life. Let’s break down both devices across key categories to help you make an informed decision.

Performance and Hardware: Generations Apart

The core difference between the S10 and A35 lies in their hardware philosophy. The S10 launched with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (or Exynos 9820 in some regions), a true flagship chipset at the time. It handled multitasking, gaming, and intensive apps with ease. In contrast, the A35 runs on the Exynos 1380—a capable mid-tier processor designed for efficiency rather than raw power.

In real-world usage, the S10 still performs well for everyday tasks like browsing, messaging, and media playback. However, app launch times may feel slightly slower compared to newer phones, and background app reloads are more frequent due to aging RAM management.

The A35, while not a gaming beast, benefits from being a newer device. Its 6GB or 8GB RAM configurations and optimized One UI 6 (based on Android 14) ensure smoother navigation, faster app switching, and better long-term reliability. It also supports longer software updates—up to four years of OS upgrades and five years of security patches—something the S10 no longer receives.

Tip: If you rely on productivity apps or use your phone heavily throughout the day, newer software optimization often matters more than raw processor speed.

Display and Design: Premium Feel vs Modern Durability

The S10 featured a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 3040×1440 resolution and HDR10+ support—an exceptional screen even by today’s standards. Its curved edges gave it a premium look, though they occasionally triggered accidental touches.

The A35 steps back slightly in resolution with a 6.6-inch flat Super AMOLED display at 1080×2340, but compensates with a higher 120Hz refresh rate. This means smoother scrolling, more responsive touch input, and a more fluid overall experience, especially when navigating menus or playing games.

Design-wise, the S10 feels compact and refined, but lacks modern durability features. It has IP68 water resistance, which the A35 matches—however, the A35 adds Gorilla Glass Victus, significantly improving scratch and drop resistance over the S10’s older Gorilla Glass 5.

“Durability isn’t just about surviving drops—it’s about maintaining resale value and daily usability over time.” — Lena Park, Mobile Device Analyst at TechInsight Weekly

Camera Comparison: Evolution Over Revolution

The S10 came with a triple rear setup: 12MP main, 12MP telephoto, and 16MP ultra-wide. At launch, it was among the best camera systems available, offering natural color reproduction and strong low-light performance for its era.

The A35 simplifies to a triple camera system as well: 50MP main (with OIS), 8MP ultra-wide, and 5MP macro. It drops the telephoto lens, meaning no optical zoom. However, the higher-resolution main sensor and improved processing engine allow for sharper detail in daylight and more usable night shots thanks to enhanced AI stabilization.

In practical terms, the A35 produces brighter, more consistent photos in mixed lighting. Its portrait mode is more accurate, and video recording now supports steady 4K at 30fps with better microphone noise reduction. While the S10 still takes respectable photos, it struggles with dynamic range and noise in darker environments—a gap that’s widened over time.

Real-World Example: Weekend Photography Test

Sarah, a casual photographer using her S10 since 2019, borrowed an A35 during a weekend trip. She noticed immediate differences: faster autofocus in dimly lit cafes, clearer details in sunset shots, and less grain in indoor videos. “I didn’t realize how much my old phone was holding me back until I saw side-by-side comparisons,” she said. “The A35 doesn’t replace a flagship, but it handles real-life moments better.”

Battery Life and Charging: From Adequate to All-Day Power

The S10 packs a 3,400mAh battery—modest even at launch. With moderate use, it lasted a full day, but heavy users often needed a midday charge. Fast charging topped it up to 70% in 30 minutes, and wireless charging was supported.

The A35 improves significantly here with a 5,000mAh battery. Even with the power-hungry 120Hz display enabled, most users report 1.5 days of battery life under mixed usage. It supports 25W fast charging (charger sold separately in some regions) but lacks wireless charging—a trade-off Samsung made to keep costs down.

If your current pain point with the S10 is running out of juice by early evening, the A35 offers a tangible quality-of-life upgrade.

Tip: Enable adaptive refresh rate (10–120Hz) on the A35 to balance smoothness and battery efficiency automatically.

Detailed Feature Comparison Table

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S10	Samsung Galaxy A35
Release Year	2019	2024
Processor	Snapdragon 855 / Exynos 9820	Exynos 1380
RAM / Storage	8GB / 128GB (expandable)	6GB/8GB / 128GB/256GB (expandable)
Display	6.1” Quad HD+ AMOLED (Curved, 60Hz)	6.6” FHD+ AMOLED (Flat, 120Hz)
Rear Cameras	12MP (main) + 12MP (tele) + 16MP (ultra-wide)	50MP (main, OIS) + 8MP (ultra-wide) + 5MP (macro)
Front Camera	10MP	13MP
Battery	3,400mAh	5,000mAh
Charging	Fast (15W), Wireless, Reverse Wireless	Fast (25W), No Wireless Charging
Software Support	No major updates (last on Android 12)	Up to Android 18 (4 OS + 5 security)
Durability	IP68, Gorilla Glass 5	IP67, Gorilla Glass Victus
Starting Price (Launch)	$899	$449

Is It Worth Upgrading? A Practical Checklist

Before making the switch, ask yourself the following:

• Does your S10 struggle with app crashes or slow performance?
• Are you unable to install the latest apps due to OS limitations?
• Do you frequently run out of battery before the day ends?
• Have you noticed a decline in photo quality or camera responsiveness?
• Is software security a concern (e.g., outdated security patches)?
• Do you want access to newer features like improved night mode or smoother UI?

If you answered “yes” to two or more of these, upgrading to the A35 makes practical sense. It’s not about chasing specs—it’s about regaining reliability and peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the S10 still run modern apps smoothly?

Most lightweight apps (messaging, social media, email) work fine. However, newer versions of apps like Instagram, TikTok, or Google Maps may load slower or crash occasionally due to increased demands and lack of recent optimizations. Heavy games or AR apps will likely underperform.

Is the A35 waterproof like the S10?

The A35 has IP67 rating (dust-tight and withstands immersion in 1m of water for 30 minutes), slightly below the S10’s IP68 (1.5m for 30 minutes). For everyday spills and rain, both are sufficient, but the S10 technically offers deeper protection.

Does the A35 support expandable storage?

Yes. Like the S10, the A35 includes a microSD card slot supporting up to 1TB, allowing you to carry large photo, music, or video libraries without relying solely on cloud storage.

Final Verdict: Upgrade When Functionality Matters More Than Form

The Galaxy S10 remains a testament to Samsung’s design excellence in the late 2010s. It’s compact, has a stunning high-res display, and retains a loyal user base. But technology moves forward—and so do user expectations.

The Galaxy A35 may not match the S10’s pixel density or include a telephoto lens, but it delivers where it counts: longer battery life, modern software support, better durability, and consistently reliable performance. Priced nearly half the original cost of the S10, it represents excellent value for users stepping off older flagships.

If you’re still clinging to your S10 out of loyalty or hesitation, consider this: upgrading isn’t admitting defeat. It’s choosing confidence in your device’s ability to keep up with your life.

💬 Have you upgraded from an S10 to a newer A-series phone? Share your experience—what surprised you most? Your insights could help others make the leap.