The Motorola Moto G36 and Samsung Galaxy A15 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$300 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through chipset selection and display characteristics. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing sustained performance and future-proofing, the Motorola Moto G36 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, built on a more efficient 4nm process, provides a noticeable advantage in CPU and GPU performance over the Galaxy A15 5G’s Dimensity 6100+. However, the A15 5G counters with excellent battery life and a brighter display.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 26, 28, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2023, December 11 |
| Status | Rumored | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166.3 x 76.5 x 8.7 mm (6.55 x 3.01 x 0.34 in) | 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Unspecified | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 1000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 16, One UI 8, up to 4 major Android upgrades |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.7µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 7000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black; other colors | Brave Black, Personality Yellow, Magical Blue, Optimistic Blue |
| Models | XT2533-4 | SM-A156B, SM-A156B/DS, SM-A156P, SM-A156P/DS, SM-A156U, SM-A156U1, SM-A156U1/DS, SM-A156W, SM-A156P/N, SM-A156P/DSN, SM-S156VL, SM-A156M, SM-A156E, SM-A156E/DSN |
| Price | - | € 167.00 / $ 79.97 / ₹ 17,490 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.80 W/kg (head) 1.46 W/kg (body) |
Motorola Moto G36
- More powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset
- Faster 33W charging
- Potentially better thermal management due to 4nm process
- Battery life likely shorter than A15 5G
- Display brightness likely lower than A15 5G
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
- Excellent battery life (14:31h active use)
- Brighter display (786 nits)
- More affordable price (likely)
- Less powerful Dimensity 6100+ chipset
- Slower 25W charging
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 786 nits. This is a clear advantage for outdoor use where sunlight washes out dimmer screens. While the Moto G36’s display specs are currently unavailable, Samsung’s panel offers a superior viewing experience in bright conditions. The A15 5G’s panel technology is likely LCD, given its price point, while the G36 may also utilize LCD. Both are expected to have 60Hz refresh rates, prioritizing battery life over smooth scrolling. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs beyond the presence of cameras are unavailable for either device. However, given the price bracket, both are likely to feature a primary sensor paired with auxiliary lenses of limited utility (e.g., 2MP macro). The image processing style will likely differ – Samsung typically favors vibrant, saturated colors, while Motorola tends towards a more natural look. Without knowing sensor sizes or aperture values, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) may offer slightly better image processing capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G36 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with 4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This is a more modern architecture than the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm), which has 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon offers superior power efficiency, translating to less heat generation and potentially less throttling during sustained workloads. While the Dimensity 6100+ is a capable chip, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 provides a performance edge, particularly in GPU-intensive tasks. The G36 is likely to offer a smoother experience with graphically demanding games and applications.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G shines in battery life, achieving an active use score of 14 hours and 31 minutes. The Moto G36’s battery capacity is unknown, but the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s efficiency could partially offset a potentially smaller battery. The A15 5G supports 25W wired charging, while the G36 supports 33W. This means the Moto G36 should charge faster, potentially reaching 100% in under an hour, while the A15 5G will take longer. The A15 5G’s longer runtime is a significant advantage for users who prioritize minimizing charging frequency.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G36 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding apps and light gaming without significant throttling, and appreciate a more modern chipset architecture. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G if you prioritize all-day battery life, a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and are less concerned with pushing the phone’s processing limits. The A15 5G is ideal for basic smartphone tasks and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 6100+ in the Galaxy A15 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 6100+ is a capable chip, but its 6nm process is less efficient than the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s 4nm process. This means the A15 5G is more likely to experience thermal throttling during extended gaming, potentially leading to reduced frame rates and performance over time. While it won't likely shut down, expect some performance dips.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Moto G36 a significant advantage over the A15 5G’s 25W charging?
Yes, the 33W charging on the Moto G36 will noticeably reduce charging times. While both phones will take several hours for a full charge, the G36 should be able to reach 100% approximately 20-30 minutes faster than the A15 5G, offering more convenience for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 handle multitasking compared to the Dimensity 6100+?
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s CPU architecture, particularly the inclusion of Cortex-A78 cores, provides a performance advantage in multitasking scenarios. It will handle switching between apps and running multiple applications simultaneously more smoothly than the Dimensity 6100+, reducing lag and improving overall responsiveness.
