MMGuardian A35 vs A15: A better choice for older children
At first sight there does not appear to be much difference between the A35 and the A15. Both are about the same size, both have a large screen, three cameras on the back plus a selfie camera on the front.
However, when you look into the details of each phone, some significant differences emerge. These differences explain why the A35 has a somewhat higher price than the A15. Is it worth it? We think so! Read on to find out why…
External Appearance
MMGuardian A15
MMGuardian A35
Displays
Both phones feature a large display, and the display sizes are almost identical – the A15 is 6.5″ whilst the A35 is 6.6″. Both have the same 1080×2340 pixel count and both use similar AMOLED screen technology. However, after that the differences mount up.
The A35 display uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ for enhanced durability against scratches and cracks.
The A35 display also has a ‘refresh rate’ of 120Hz, faster than the A15’s 90Hz. For normal phone usage the difference in refresh rates is not a huge deal, but the faster rate of the A35 provides for a smoother experience, especially when combined with the A35’s more powerful processor and chipset.
Cameras
Both phones have three rear mounted cameras, and a front mounted selfie camera.
The three rear cameras consist of a main picture camera, a wide-angle camera, and a macro (short focus) camera. The wide angle and macro cameras on the A35 have a considerably higher pixel count. And whilst the main camera on both phone models have the same 50MP specification, the A35 phone main camera includes optical image stabilization. The result is that all three rear cameras on the A35 deliver better picture quality than on the A15. This in part is also due to the more powerful processor contained in the A35.
The front selfie camera on both phones also have the same 13MP pixel count, but again the A35’s images are superior and far more real to life.
Water Resistance - IP67
This is an area where the A35 clearly stands out, even though it is not a visible thing! The A35 has an IP67 rating, whereas the A15 does not.
IP67 basically means that the phone is designed to survive submersion up to 1 meter for up to 30 mins in fresh water. Samsung advises that this of course does not apply to swimming pools or beaches. But it does mean that an accidental drop of the phone into a wash basin, or being subject to rain, does not immediately result in the ‘dead phone’ outcome that can readily occur on phones that are not IP67 rated.
Performance
Under the hood, the A35 makes use of a significantly more powerful processor chipset than the A15.
This results in a very considerable difference in performance. In day to day use, the A35 is more ‘snappy’; however the difference is quite noticeable when playing games that are more graphics intensive.
The audio performance of the A35 is also superior to that of the A15. This is in part because the A35 includes two loudspeakers. Whilst the actual speaker volume of the A15 is not a problem, the sound quality from the A35 loudspeakers is very much better.
What's the Same?
Most of the above has been about the differences between the phones. However there are a few things that are the same:
- Battery Size: Both phones have a 5,000mAh battery.
- Battery Life: Despite the higher performance of the A35, Samsung have been able to maintain a similar level of usage times for each phone, and certainly enough for a typical day or two’s usage before needing to recharge the battery. Your child will be able to get around 10 hours gaming (more than you’ll likely want to allow in one day!), or over 10 hours web browsing from a charge.
- microSD Card Storage: Both the A35 and A15 support an microSD memory card of up to 1TB capacity. If your child takes a lot of photos and especially videos, then consider getting an microSD card to extend the phone’s internal 128GB storage.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Both have a sensor, but in different locations. On the A15, the sensor is integrated on the side-mounted power button, whereas it is ‘in-display’ on the the A35.
Our Verdict - Which phone should you buy for your child?
Either of the MMGuardian A35 and A15 phones represent an excellent choice for you child, and both provide the same built-in parental control functions. However, the attributes of the A35 make it stand out as a better choice, if your budget can stretch that far.
We especially consider it to be a better choice for older children for the following reasons:
- Robustness: Older children are more likely to be out and about more often in all weathers! The combination of a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ display, plus the IP67 water protection rating, makes the A35 rather more robust than the A15.
- Performance: The more powerful processor and better display of the A35 delivers a superior experience. This is especially relevant for the sorts of more demanding games that many older children like to play.
- Cameras: Older children are more likely to want to capture higher quality pictures, whether of themselves or their surroundings. The cameras on the A35 look the same externally as those of the A15, but the picture quality is far superior.
- Audio: With dual (stereo) loudspeakers and an overall higher audio quality, the A35 significantly outperforms the A15. Whether listening to music or watching videos, your child will much prefer the audio performance of the A35.
What Others Say About the A35 and A15
For an alternate perspective of the relative benefits between the Samsung A35 and A15, you may like to read the Phone Arena A35-A15 comparison review. For the technically minded, the review also includes extensive benchmark test results and comparisons of pictures taken by both phones.
Recall that MMGuardian Phones are customised versions of Samsung phones, with parental controls ‘built-in’. To get the maximum benefits and protection for your child, chose the MMGuardian Phone.
Specifications
| Feature | MMGuardian A15 | MMGuardian A35 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.5" FHD+ 90Hz fixed refresh | 6.6" FHD+ 120Hz variable refresh |
| Main Camera | 50 MP | 50MP OIS |
| Wide-Angle Camera | 5MP | 8MP |
| Macro Camera | 2MP | 5MP |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP | 13MP |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 5,000mAh |
| Dimensions | 6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 inches | 6.37 x 3.07 x 0.33 inches |
| Weight | 7.05 ounces | 7.37 ounces |
| IP 67 Water and Dust Rating | ||
| Corning Gorilla Glas Victus+ | ||
| Supports 5G | ||
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB |
| Memory (RAM) | 4GB | 6GB |
