MediaTek Helio G35 vs MediaTek Helio G85

MediaTek Helio G35 vs Helio G85: specs compared and which to choose in 2025

Helio G35 is a basic chip for the most affordable smartphones. Helio G85 sits a class higher: noticeably faster in games, quicker in daily tasks, and better with cameras and video. If the budget allows, G85 is the obvious pick.

CPU and power efficiency

G35 uses older Cortex-A53 cores and focuses on frugality. It handles messengers, navigation, simple photos, and light games.
G85 combines more powerful Cortex-A75 cores with efficient A55s. Apps open faster, the UI feels smoother, and background tasks don’t choke the system. You feel it every day.

Graphics and gaming

G35’s PowerVR GE8320 is fine for casual titles and simple projects on low settings.
G85’s Mali-G52 MC2 is a different level: more stable FPS in popular games, reasonable medium settings, and fewer drops in long sessions. For budget gaming, G85 is much preferable.

Memory and storage

Both chips support LPDDR4X, but the ceilings differ. A typical G35 setup delivers about 12.8 GB/s, while G85 reaches roughly 14.4 GB/s. In practice that means shorter load times and faster installs and updates.
For storage, an important detail: G85 officially works with eMMC 5.1. UFS isn’t supported. G35 is also eMMC 5.1. So don’t expect storage speed to be the differentiator — the gains come from CPU and GPU.

Cameras and video

G35 targets basic camera modules and simple processing. Video tops out at 1080p 30 FPS.
G85 brings a more capable ISP. It handles multi-frame processing, night scenes, and portrait effects more confidently, and it pairs well with mainstream 48–64 MP sensors. The result is less noise, better detail, and nicer auto-HDR.
There’s no standalone NPU on either. AI features run on CPU/GPU, but they execute faster on G85.

Connectivity and wireless

Both are 4G LTE platforms with the usual budget-segment bands. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth cover everyday needs without frills. USB is most often 2.0 in real devices, which is enough for charging and basic data transfer.

Who should consider them in 2025

These aren’t new platforms anymore. Helio G35 and Helio G85 are found in ultra-budget models from past years, leftover stock, refurbs, and local re-releases.

• Pick G35 if you need the cheapest possible “backup” phone for calls, messengers, ride-hailing, maps, and little else — with no expectations for gaming or heavy apps.

• Consider G85 if the budget is still tight but you want clearly snappier UI and more stable performance in popular games at low to medium settings.
  If long software support, modern cameras, and 5G matter, look at newer 4G/5G chips in the same price class. You’ll get better efficiency and feature support.

Bottom line

Helio G85 is a noticeable upgrade in CPU and GPU performance, better with cameras, and more stable in games. Helio G35 is an honest, no-frills baseline. The difference in day-to-day feel is real — and worth paying a bit more for.