Samsung Galaxy A36 vs Google Pixel 7a: A Deep Dive into Battery, Performance, and Value

The Samsung Galaxy A36 and Google Pixel 7a represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While the Pixel 7a leverages Google’s Tensor G2 chip and renowned camera software, the Galaxy A36 prioritizes exceptional battery endurance and rapid charging. This comparison dissects these key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.

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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and fast refueling, the Samsung Galaxy A36 emerges as the winner. Its remarkable 41:28h battery endurance and 45W charging significantly outperform the Pixel 7a, despite the latter’s more powerful processor. However, the Pixel 7a remains a strong contender for camera enthusiasts.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy A36	Google Pixel 7a

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	-	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8

Launch
Announced	2025, March 02	2023, May 10
Status	Available. Released 2025, March 10	Available. Released 2023, May 10

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+)	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions	162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm (6.41 x 3.08 x 0.29 in)	152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)	Nano-SIM + eSIM
Weight	195 g (6.88 oz)	193.5 g (6.84 oz)
	-	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, Mohs level 5	Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density)
Size	6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)	6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak)	OLED, HDR, 90Hz
	-	Always-on display

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)	Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPU	Adreno 710	Mali-G710 MP7
OS	Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7	Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM
	-	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Dual	-	64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Triple	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.96", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)	-
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR, panorama
Single	12 MP, f/2.2, (wide)	13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 10-bit HDR	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	-	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.4, A2DP, LE	5.3, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 3.2
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Battery
Charging	45W wired, 66% in 30 min, 100% in 68 min	18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless
Type	5000 mAh	Li-Po 4385 mAh

Misc
Colors	Lavender, Black, White, Lime	Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral
Models	SM-A366E, SM-A366E/DS, SM-A366B, SM-A366B/DS, SM-A366U, SM-A366U1, SM-A366W	GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8
Price	€ 232.99 / $ 243.29 / £ 189.00 / ₹ 28,898	€ 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980
SAR	1.07 W/kg (head)	-
SAR EU	0.53 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body)	-

EU LABEL
Battery	41:28h endurance, 2000 cycles	-
Energy	Class C	-
Free fall	Class C (90 falls)	-
Repairability	Class C	-

Samsung Galaxy A36

Exceptional battery life (41:28h endurance)
Ultra-fast 45W charging
Bright display (1233 nits)

Less powerful processor than the Pixel 7a
Camera performance likely trails the Pixel 7a

Google Pixel 7a

Powerful Tensor G2 chipset
Excellent camera software and image processing
Clean Android experience

Significantly shorter battery life
Slow 18W charging

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A36 boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 1233 nits compared to the Pixel 7a’s 1070 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays likely utilize AMOLED technology (though not explicitly stated), the A36’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage. We lack PWM frequency data for both, but the A36’s brightness advantage may allow for more comfortable viewing at lower brightness levels. Bezels are assumed to be comparable given the market segment, and color accuracy is likely excellent on both, though Samsung historically leans towards more saturated colors.

Camera Comparison

The Pixel 7a’s camera system is a known strength, leveraging Google’s computational photography prowess. While specific sensor details are missing for both devices, the Pixel 7a’s reputation suggests a focus on image processing and dynamic range. The A36’s camera capabilities are less well-defined, but Samsung typically emphasizes vibrant colors and detail. The Pixel 7a’s video capabilities are also likely superior, benefiting from the Tensor G2’s image signal processor. The absence of details on OIS and lens apertures makes a precise comparison difficult, but the Pixel 7a’s software advantage is a significant factor.

Performance

The Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 (5nm) chipset, with its Cortex-X1 prime cores, offers a clear performance advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A36’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm) in CPU-intensive tasks. The Tensor G2’s 2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 cores will outperform the A36’s 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores. However, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3’s 4nm process offers improved power efficiency. The A36’s architecture, while less powerful, is optimized for sustained performance, potentially avoiding the thermal throttling that can sometimes affect the Tensor G2 under prolonged load. The Pixel 7a will excel in tasks like video editing and complex gaming, while the A36 will handle everyday tasks and moderate gaming with ease.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A36 dominates in battery performance. Its impressive 41:28h endurance rating, coupled with 2000 charge cycles, significantly surpasses the Pixel 7a’s older 76h rating. The A36 also boasts 45W wired charging, achieving 66% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 68 minutes, a substantial improvement over the Pixel 7a’s 18W charging with PD3.0 and 7.5W wireless charging. This means less time tethered to a charger and greater peace of mind for users who rely heavily on their phones.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A36 if you need a phone that can reliably last through a full day – and then some – with heavy use, and if minimizing downtime with fast charging is crucial. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize computational photography, a clean Android experience, and a more powerful processor for demanding tasks, even at the expense of battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 handle graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact on the Galaxy A36?

While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 isn't a flagship chipset, it should be capable of running Genshin Impact at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense combat scenarios. The A36’s thermal management will be key to maintaining consistent performance over extended gaming sessions.

❓ Does the Pixel 7a's Tensor G2 chip overheat during prolonged use, such as recording 4K video?

The Tensor G2 is known to generate more heat than some competing chipsets. Recording 4K video for extended periods could lead to thermal throttling, potentially reducing performance and battery life. Google’s software optimizations aim to mitigate this, but it remains a potential concern.

❓ What type of storage does each phone use, and is expandable storage supported?

Neither Samsung nor Google typically include microSD card slots in their 'a' series or Pixel 'a' series phones. Both the Galaxy A36 and Pixel 7a are expected to rely on internal UFS storage. The specific UFS version (e.g., UFS 3.1, UFS 4.0) is currently unknown, but faster storage will contribute to quicker app loading times and smoother multitasking.

❓ How does the software update commitment differ between the Galaxy A36 and the Pixel 7a?

Google typically provides longer software support for its Pixel devices. The Pixel 7a is guaranteed at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates. Samsung’s update policy for the A series is generally shorter, typically offering 4 years of security updates and 2 OS updates, though this can vary by region and model.