Let me start by saying the Galaxy A35 5G is that rare mid-range phone that actually feels premium. The Awesome Navy color (yes, that's really what Samsung calls it) has this subtle shimmer that makes my tech-loving heart skip a beat every time I pull it out of my pocket.

The AMOLED display is hands-down the star of the show. I was binge-watching The Crown during a sunny park picnic, and Vision Booster worked magic - no squinting or awkward phone-shading needed. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through TikTok buttery smooth, though I did switch to 60Hz after a week to save battery (more on that later).

As someone who upgraded from a Motorola, the camera system blew me away. That Nightography feature isn't just marketing fluff - I captured surprisingly clear shots of fireworks on July 4th without looking like abstract art. The macro lens is my new obsession for food photography (my avocado toast Instagram game has never been stronger). Pro tip: enable the 50MP mode in settings for significantly sharper shots.

Battery life gets an A- from me. The 5000mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day of moderate use - about 6 hours screen time with emails, social media, and camera use. Quick charging at 25W is zippy when needed, though I mostly do overnight charges to preserve battery health.

Now for the quirks: No headphone jack stung initially until I realized how good the Bluetooth audio is (and those stereo speakers actually have decent bass!). The under-display fingerprint reader works flawlessly... unless my hands are slightly damp. And while plastic frames don't scream luxury, the Gorilla Glass Victus protection gives peace of mind.

The real kicker? Four years of Android updates at this price point is unheard of. My previous phone became obsolete in half that time. Combined with expandable storage (I popped in a 512GB microSD), this might be the last phone you'll need for years.

Final verdict? If you want flagship-like features without emptying your wallet, the A35 delivers where it counts while cutting clever corners elsewhere. Just don't expect S24-level performance - but at nearly half the price, you shouldn't.