Samsung Galaxy A36 vs OnePlus Nord N30 SE: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and longer battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A36 emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm process, offers a noticeable advantage in efficiency and responsiveness over the Nord N30 SE’s Dimensity 6020, despite the latter’s slightly higher clock speeds on some cores.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy A36 | OnePlus Nord N30 SE |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 02 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 10 | Available. Released 2024, January 31 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+) | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm (6.41 x 3.08 x 0.29 in) | 165.6 x 76 x 8 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 193 g (6.81 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, Mohs level 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, 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 | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 10-bit HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| 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, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 66% in 30 min, 100% in 68 min | 33W wired, 51% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Lavender, Black, White, Lime | Black Satin, Cyan |
| Models | SM-A366E, SM-A366E/DS, SM-A366B, SM-A366B/DS, SM-A366U, SM-A366U1, SM-A366W | CPH2605 |
| Price | € 232.99 / $ 243.29 / £ 189.00 / ₹ 28,898 | About 510 EUR |
| 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
- Superior chipset efficiency (Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, 4nm)
- Faster charging (45W)
- Brighter display (1233 nits)
- Potentially higher price
- May lack expandable storage (spec not provided)
OnePlus Nord N30 SE
- More affordable price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Likely lightweight design
- Less efficient chipset (Dimensity 6020, 7nm)
- Slower charging (33W)
- Potentially lower display brightness
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A36 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1233 nits, compared to the Nord N30 SE (brightness data unavailable, but typically lower in this segment). This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the A36’s superior brightness suggests a more advanced panel with potentially better color accuracy and contrast. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate is likely fixed, impacting power consumption during prolonged use.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the price points, both phones likely feature a primary sensor around 50MP. The A36’s chipset likely offers more advanced image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, potentially leading to better dynamic range and low-light performance. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A36 (assumed based on Samsung’s typical implementation in this segment) would be a significant advantage for video recording and reducing blur in photos. The 2MP macro cameras found on both devices are generally of limited utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Samsung Galaxy A36 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm), while the OnePlus Nord N30 SE features the MediaTek Dimensity 6020 (7nm). The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon gives it a clear advantage in power efficiency. Although the Nord N30 SE’s CPU has slightly higher peak clock speeds (2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 vs 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 on the A36), the Snapdragon’s more modern architecture and process node will likely result in better sustained performance and less thermal throttling. The A36’s CPU configuration (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) also suggests a stronger focus on performance cores.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A36 delivers an impressive 41:28h endurance, supported by 2000 charge cycles, indicating a focus on long-term battery health. While the Nord N30 SE’s battery capacity is unknown, the A36’s endurance score suggests a more efficient power management system. The A36’s 45W wired charging is significantly faster than the Nord N30 SE’s 33W, achieving 66% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 68 minutes, compared to the Nord N30 SE’s 51% in 30 minutes. This faster charging is a considerable convenience factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A36 if you need a phone that can handle demanding apps and longer gaming sessions without significant throttling, and if you value faster charging speeds and a brighter display. Buy the OnePlus Nord N30 SE if you prioritize affordability and are willing to trade some performance headroom for a lower upfront cost, and if your usage is primarily focused on everyday tasks like browsing and social media.