Samsung Galaxy A34 offers impressive mid-range features
The Samsung Galaxy A34 is the latest mid-range smartphone from the South Korean tech giant Samsung. Released in early 2023, the A34 has several upgrades over its predecessor, the Galaxy A33, making it an enticing option for budget-conscious buyers looking for a solid daily driver.
In this detailed review, we will look in-depth at the Samsung Galaxy A34, analyzing its design, display quality, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, software experience, and overall value for money. Read on to determine if the Galaxy A34 is the right midrange phone for you in 2023.
Galaxy A34 Eye-Catching Design and Vibrant Display
The Galaxy A34 sports a minimalist, sleek design with a plastic back and Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front. It measures 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm and weighs around 199 grams, making it easy and comfortable to hold and use even with one hand. The back has a matte finish that repels fingerprints and smudges.
On the front is a teardrop notch centered at the top of the 6.6-inch s
Super AMOLED display. The bezels are slim, though not wholly bezel-less. The chin is slightly thicker than the sides.
The back houses a separate rounded camera module in the top left corner that minimally protrudes from the body. The module contains three camera lenses and an LED flash. The bottom of the back is the Samsung logo.
The right edge of the phone holds the power button and volume rocker. The left edge is bare. The top edge has a secondary microphone and a hybrid SIM slot. In contrast, the bottom edge contains the primary microphone, USB-C charging port, and speaker grille.
It has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. Overall, the Galaxy A34 has a minimal, sleek, modern design that looks appealing. The Samsung Galaxy A34 sports a sleek and stylish design with eye-catching color options like Silver, Lime, Graphite, and Violet. The rear panel has a distinctive matte finish that minimizes fingerprints and smudges. Despite the plastic build, the phone feels sturdy and durable in hand.
On the front, the Galaxy A34 has a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED 120Hz display with a teardrop notch for the front camera. The bezels surrounding the screen are slim, giving the phone an immersive, all-screen look. The display resolution is 2340 x 1080 pixels with a density of 390 ppi, which is decent for everyday usage and media consumption.
The colors look vibrant and punchy on the AMOLED screen. Outdoor visibility is also satisfactory. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 5 for added durability. Notably, the screen refresh rate is 120Hz refresh rates, also seen in some competitors. But a 60Hz refresh rate helps in optimizing battery life.
Samsung A34 Capable Performance Powered by Dimensity Processor
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy A34 is powered by a MediaTek MT6877V Dimensity 1080 octa-core processor based on a 6nm fabrication process. This chipset delivers smooth performance for day-to-day tasks like web browsing, social media, calls, emails, media playback, etc. You can also enjoy casual games without any major lag or stutter.
Our review unit with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage handled multitasking reasonably well. The phone feels energized even with 10+ apps running in the background. However, the Dimensity 1080 chip is not the most powerful processor, so users looking for serious gaming performance may be left wanting more.
The Galaxy A34 runs Android 13 out of the box with Samsung’s One UI 5.1 custom skin on top. The interface feels polished, with many useful customization options for an optimized user experience. System navigation felt snappy and responsive during our testing period.
For storage, the phone comes in 128GB and 256GB variants and supports microSD card expansion up to 1TB. Connectivity options include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, Beidou, Galileo, and a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.
Samsung Galaxy A34 Triple Cameras for Versatile Photography
The Galaxy A34 continues Samsung’s focus on imaging with a versatile Triple camera setup on the rear:
- Main Camera: 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF, OIS
(Sensor Sony IMX582 Exmor RS, Sensor size 1/2.0, Pixel size 0.8µm) - Ultra-Wide Camera: 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide)
(Sensor Samsung S5K4HA, Sensor size 1/4.0, Pixel size 1.12µm) - Macro Camera: 5 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
(Sensor GalaxyCore GC5035, Sensor size 1/5, Pixel size 1.12 µm)
The primary 48MP sensor captures reasonable detail and dynamic range in daylight conditions. The images show relatively accurate colors and noise levels are controlled. The dedicated depth camera assists in creating a natural-looking background blur in portrait shots.
The ultra-wide camera lets you capture expansive landscapes or group photos. There is a minor loss in detail, but colors and exposure remain consistent. The results are decent at night or in low light but could be more spectacular. Night mode improves the output by making it brighter with slightly better details.
The 5MP macro lens does a satisfactory job of capturing close-up shots with a minimum focusing distance of just 4cm. This adds a bit of photography versatility to the device. On the front, the 13MP selfie camera takes social media-ready shots with natural skin tones in good lighting.
Overall, the Galaxy A34 delivers a solid Triple camera experience for a mid-range smartphone. The output quality may not match flagship-grade phones, but it is competitive in this price segment.
Galaxy A34 Long Lasting Battery Life
Powering the Samsung Galaxy A34 is a sizable 5000mAh battery. The phone efficiently delivers 1.5-2 days of battery life with medium to heavy use. Even intensive users can get nearly a full day of usage per charge.
The A34 supports 25W fast charging. You can charge from 0 to 100% in around 100 minutes using the included adapter. While not the fastest charging speed, it is decent, considering the large battery capacity.
Samsung has also incorporated battery optimization software features like adaptive power saving. This helps enhance the standby life and reduces background battery drain. The Dimensity 1080 chip’s 6nm process is energy efficient. Overall, battery life is a vital aspect of the Galaxy A34.
Samsung A34 One UI Software Experience
The Samsung Galaxy A34 ships with the latest One UI 5.1 software based on Android 13. One UI 5.1 brings optimizations across the board for an improved user experience. The visual design has been refreshed while maintaining the same intuitive Samsung interface.
You get deeper customization for themes, icons, and widgets. Privacy and security have been beefed up. Connected devices can be easily managed through the SmartThings integration. One UI 5.1 also introduces stacks for keeping your home screens organized and focused. Bixby Routines lets you trigger automatic actions based on contextual triggers.
Samsung has refined its feature-rich software package with One UI 5.1. Long-term software support is also expected to be good, with guaranteed Android OS and security updates for at least two years after launch.
Samsung Galaxy A34 Unlocking with Fingerprint or Facial Recognition
The Galaxy A34 offers fingerprint scanning and facial recognition technology for biometric authentication. The fingerprint sensor is embedded underneath the display towards the bottom of the screen. It is ergonomically placed and unlocks the phone quickly after recognizing your fingerprint.
Face unlock uses the selfie camera to scan your facial features. While convenient, the fingerprint scanner is more secure. Both these options allow safe device opening and authorization of payments/transactions.
Our Verdict About A34
The Samsung Galaxy A34 is an impressive mid-range smartphone that gets many things right. The phone offers a gorgeous Super AMOLED display, dependable performance from Dimensity 1080 chipset, versatile triple camera setup, outstanding battery life with 25W fast charging, and Samsung’s latest One UI 5.1 software.
Some downsides include the plastic build quality and standard Corning Gorilla Glass 5 display protection. Power users may desire more performance for intensive gaming. But the Dimensity 1080 holds its own for everyday usage with smooth multitasking and app responsiveness. The camera quality could have been better in low-light conditions.
Overall, though, the Galaxy A34’s strengths easily outweigh its weaknesses. The phone strikes an outstanding balance between price and features. For shoppers looking for a capable and long-lasting Android smartphone without breaking the bank, the new Samsung Galaxy A34 should be a top contender. It earns our strong recommendation for delivering fantastic value at its accessible mid-range pricing.
Samsung Galaxy A34 Specifications
- Processor: Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080 (Octa-core 6 nm)
- RAM: 6GB/8GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB, expandable
- Display: 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120Hz
- Rear Camera: 48MP (f/1.8) main + 8MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide + 5MP macro
- Front Camera: 13MP (f/2.2)
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Charging: 25W fast charging
- Biometrics: In-display fingerprint scanner, Face unlock
- Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi Dual-band, Bluetooth 5.3, Type-C USB
- Software: Android 13, One UI 5.1
- Protection: IP67, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
In summary, the Galaxy A34 from Samsung packs some enticing features and specs under the hood at an affordable price. It offers great design, display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and battery life for a well-rounded experience. The Samsung Galaxy A34 is a smartphone worth shortlisting for buyers seeking value in the mid-range segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G answered:
Q: What colors does the Galaxy A34 come in?
A: The Galaxy A34 is available in four color options – Silver, Lime, Graphite, and Violet.
Q: Does it have a headphone jack?
A: Unfortunately, the Galaxy A34 does not have the 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom.
Q: What processor does it use?
A: It is powered by the Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080 octa-core chipset based on 6nm process technology.
Q: Does it support wireless charging?
A: Unfortunately, the Galaxy A34 does not support wireless or reverse wireless charging.
Q: Does Gorilla Glass protect the display?
A: Yes, the A34’s display comes with Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Q: What is the battery capacity and charging speed?
A: It has a 5000mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging.
Q: Does it have NFC support?
A: The phone includes NFC, enabling contactless payments through Samsung Pay.
Q: What biometric authentication options are available?
A: It has an under-display optical fingerprint sensor and Face recognition support.
Q: Will the phone get Android 13 update?
A: Yes, Samsung has promised two major
Android OS updates for the Galaxy A34.
