The Oppo A35 and A36 represent Oppo's entry into the competitive budget smartphone market. While visually similar, a key difference lies under the hood: the A36 boasts a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680, a substantial upgrade over the A35’s MediaTek Helio P35. This comparison dissects the implications of this chipset change, and how it impacts the user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Oppo A36 is the clear winner. The Snapdragon 680’s 6nm process and more modern architecture deliver noticeably improved performance and efficiency compared to the A35’s Helio P35. While both phones target the budget segment, the A36 offers a better long-term experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA 800 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 14 | 2022, January 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 26 | Available. Released 2022, January 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.4 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 177 g (6.24 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4230 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue | Black, Blue |
| Models | PEHM00, PEFM00 | PESM10 |
| Price | - | About 220 EUR |
Oppo A35
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Outdated Helio P35 chipset
- Poor performance in demanding apps
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Lower battery efficiency
Oppo A36
- More powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Improved performance and responsiveness
- Better battery life due to 6nm process
- More efficient thermal management
- Likely a higher price tag
- Still a budget device with limitations
- 10W charging is relatively slow
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo provides detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The real difference isn't the display itself, but the chipset's ability to drive it smoothly. The A36’s Snapdragon 680 will handle UI animations and video playback with less stuttering than the A35’s Helio P35, resulting in a more pleasant visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison. Both phones likely feature similar sensor configurations geared towards basic photography. However, the Snapdragon 680’s image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced than the Helio P35’s, potentially resulting in better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range in the A36. The A36’s chipset is better equipped to handle computational photography features, even if the sensors themselves are identical.
Performance
The core difference between these devices is the chipset. The Oppo A35’s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm) features an octa-core CPU with a split core configuration: 4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. The Oppo A36, however, utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm) with an octa-core CPU comprised of 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores. The Snapdragon 680’s 6nm process is significantly more efficient, leading to lower heat generation and sustained performance. The Kryo cores also represent a more modern architecture, offering improved instructions per clock (IPC) compared to the Cortex-A53 cores in the Helio P35. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the A36.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature similar battery capacities, typical for the budget segment. However, the Snapdragon 680’s 6nm process is far more power-efficient than the Helio P35’s 12nm process. This means the A36 will deliver significantly longer battery life on a single charge, even with similar usage patterns. While both phones feature 10W charging, the A36’s more efficient chipset will reach a usable charge level faster due to reduced power draw during charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A35 if your primary needs are extremely basic – calls, texts, and light social media – and you’re on a very tight budget. It’s a functional device for minimal smartphone use. Buy the Oppo A36 if you value smoother multitasking, occasional gaming, and longer battery life. The A36’s Snapdragon 680 provides a more responsive and future-proof experience, justifying the likely price difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Oppo A36 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 680 in the Oppo A36 is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty, but likely at medium graphics settings and frame rates. The Helio P35 in the A35 will struggle with these titles, offering a significantly less enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 680 in the Oppo A36 get noticeably warmer during extended use compared to the Helio P35 in the A35?
No, the Snapdragon 680’s 6nm process is much more thermally efficient than the Helio P35’s 12nm process. The A36 will generate less heat during prolonged use, reducing the risk of performance throttling and providing a more consistent experience.
❓ Is the 10W charging on both phones slow? Will I be waiting a long time to fully charge the device?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow by today’s standards. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours. However, the A36’s more efficient chipset will reach a usable charge level (e.g., 50%) faster than the A35 due to lower power draw during charging.
❓ If I primarily use my phone for calls, texts, and WhatsApp, is the extra cost of the Oppo A36 worth it?
For extremely basic usage, the Oppo A35 is sufficient. However, even for these tasks, the A36’s smoother performance and longer battery life will provide a more pleasant overall experience. The A36 offers a degree of future-proofing that the A35 lacks.
