iQOO 12 vs Samsung Galaxy A35
The Verdict
Both phones offer 5G connectivity and 5000 mAh batteries, yet serve distinctly different market segments. iQOO 12 delivers flagship performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 144Hz LTPO AMOLED display at 3000 nits, and 120W fast charging that reaches full capacity in minutes. Its camera system excels with a 50MP main sensor, 64MP 3x zoom telephoto, and 8K video recording. Samsung Galaxy A35 prioritizes affordability and durability, featuring IP67 water resistance, Gorilla Glass Victus+, and a competent Exynos 1380 processor handling everyday tasks smoothly. Display quality differs significantly: iQOO's 2800x1260 resolution surpasses Galaxy A35's 2340x1080, with substantially brighter peak luminance. Galaxy A35 supports 25W charging only, and the 6GB RAM may struggle with demanding apps compared to iQOO's 12GB minimum. For users prioritizing performance, gaming, and camera capabilities, iQOO 12 justifies its $130 premium. Those seeking durability and value in midrange should choose Galaxy A35.
Who Should Buy
Buy the iQOO 12 if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- →144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- →120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A35 if…
- →Solid build with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides
- →Bright 120Hz Super AMOLED display
- →Long-lasting 5000 mAh battery
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
iQOO 12
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- 144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- 120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
- 64 MP 3x telephoto periscope zoom is excellent for the price
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for future-proof connectivity
Cons
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance
- No wireless charging despite flagship-level pricing
- Limited global availability and after-sales network
- 13 MP ultrawide is a weak point in the camera system
- OriginOS/Funtouch is heavily skinned
Samsung Galaxy A35
Pros
- Solid build with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides
- Bright 120Hz Super AMOLED display
- Long-lasting 5000 mAh battery
- IP67 water and dust resistance
- Four years of OS upgrades promised
Cons
- Only 6 GB RAM in base configuration
- Wi-Fi 5 is dated for 2024
- Exynos 1380 trails Snapdragon 7 chips
- Slow 25W charging with no in-box charger
Full Specifications
| Spec | iQOO 12 | Samsung Galaxy A35 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (Funtouch OS 14 / OriginOS 4) | Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 202 g | 209 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| IP rating | None | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm | 161.7 x 78.0 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX920 | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.45 | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 64 MP, f/2.57, 3x optical zoom, OIS | 5 MP macro |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB / 16 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 120W FlashCharge | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.78 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1260 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 3000 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz + 3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Exynos 1380 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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