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Almost right after releasing their flagship line, Samsung bursts through the mid-range smartphone doors with two more additions to its already wholesome repertoire: the Galaxy A34 and A54, both mid-rangers that look far more premium than they actually cost.
The Galaxy A34, in particular, is the lower priced of the two, though we don’t know exactly how low. If we’re following the pricing of the previous generation, the Galaxy A33, it should be just a little over RM1000, which is a pretty good deal for what you’ll get.
Specs At A Glance
- Processor: Octa-core, Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
- OS: Android
- Display: 6.6” Super AMOLED, 1080 x 2340 (FHD+) @ 120 Hz
- Memory: up to 8GB + 256GB, extendable up to 1TB
- Rear Camera: 48.0 MP + 8.0 MP + 5.0 MP
- Front Camera: 13.0 MP
- Video capabilities: UHD 4K (3840 x 2160)@30fps
- Battery: 5000mAh
- Weight: 199g
- Dimensions: 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2mm
Display & Design
Samsung seems to be phasing out the camera module altogether this year. The Galaxy A34 borrows the “floating camera” look from its\ flagship siblings, the Galaxy S23 series — in fact, if you put the A34 and the Galaxy S23 Plus side by side, you probably won’t be able to tell the difference from behind.
Our review unit was in Graphite, which is a no-nonsense black that goes well with every occasion but can also seem boring. Thankfully, the Galaxy A34 comes in many other funky colours including Lime, Violet, and Silver.
Once you turn on the screen, though, the difference becomes starker. For one, the thick, jarring bezel around the screen is tacky at best, ruining the premium look that had me going in the back end. It’s not quite the immersive viewing experience I expected, but the screen itself is bright and responsive enough for regular use. The 120Hz refresh rate is certainly welcome!
Despite looking similar, the insides of the Galaxy A34 and the Galaxy S23 are far different. That’s only natural since one is more than double the price of the other and for good reason.
Camera
Obviously, the Galaxy A34 can’t square up to the Galaxy S23 in terms of camera, but it’s good enough in its own right. Sporting a triple camera setup led by a 48MP shooter, the Galaxy A34’s camera hasn’t changed much from its predecessor. A slight disappointment, but then again, it’s already good enough for its price point.
One of the most appealing features of the Galaxy A34 is the OIS, which ensures steady photos and videos even when you have shaky hands.
On the front, the Galaxy A34 sports a 13MP front-facing selfie camera that is just about as unremarkable as the pictures it takes. It’s good for the occasional selfies when you’re under perfect lighting, but if you’re looking for a more professional result, use the rear cameras.
Performance & Battery
This time around, Samsung opted for the octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor. This new chipset is 17% faster in CPU performance and 14% faster in GPU, and that is reflected in the smooth and responsive experience we had with the Galaxy A34.
It is not without its faults, though. The low midrange tends to overheat a little after long usage, especially when gaming, but not to the point where it’s uncomfortable to hold. While it can run Genshin Impact, the graphics are not the best even at the lowest settings, and things get a little stuttery after a while.
That said, it’s a great daily driver if you’re not too demanding on your phone. Like its predecessors in the A series, the Galaxy A34’s battery life was phenomenal, lasting me more than a day and a half on regular social media use and some Candy Crush here and there.
Conclusion
The new Samsung Galaxy A34 certainly looks more than what its price suggests. Performance-wise, it does as a mid-ranger does, which is to say, pretty decent. For those broke & bougie, this will probably give you the best bang for your buck as long as you don’t ask too much of it.