Samsung Galaxy A36 vs. A35: A Deep Dive into Samsung's Mid-Range Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A36 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm process, delivers a noticeable performance boost over the A35’s 5nm Exynos 1380, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the A35 boasts slightly better active use battery life, the A36’s faster charging mitigates this difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy A36 | Samsung Galaxy A35 |
| 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, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 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, 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 | 2025, March 02 | 2024, March 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 10 | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm (6.41 x 3.08 x 0.29 in) | 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm (6.37 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, Mohs level 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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) | 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@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 10-bit HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 66% in 30 min, 100% in 68 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Lavender, Black, White, Lime | Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon |
| Models | SM-A366E, SM-A366E/DS, SM-A366B, SM-A366B/DS, SM-A366U, SM-A366U1, SM-A366W | SM-A356E, SM-A356E/DS, SM-A356B, SM-A356B/DS, SM-A356U, SM-A356U1 |
| Price | € 232.99 / $ 243.29 / £ 189.00 / ₹ 28,898 | $ 138.00 / C$ 419.99 / £ 205.99 / € 259.99 / ₹ 18,299 |
| SAR | 1.07 W/kg (head) | 0.81 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.53 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) | 0.44 W/kg (head) 0.92 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
- Faster Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor
- Significantly faster 45W charging
- Higher peak display brightness
- Slightly shorter active use battery life
- Potentially higher price point
Samsung Galaxy A35
- Longer active use battery life
- More affordable price (likely)
- Solid all-around performance
- Slower Exynos 1380 processor
- Slower 25W charging
- Lower peak display brightness
Display Comparison
Both devices offer vibrant displays, but the Galaxy A36 pulls ahead with a measured peak brightness of 1233 nits compared to the A35’s 1024 nits. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, Samsung doesn’t specify panel technology. The increased brightness of the A36 is a significant advantage for outdoor users. We expect similar color accuracy, but the A36’s higher brightness will impact perceived contrast.
Camera Comparison
Unfortunately, the provided data doesn’t detail camera specifications beyond the CPU. Given the A-series positioning, we anticipate similar camera setups, likely featuring a primary sensor around 50MP. The A36’s improved processing power *could* lead to slightly faster image processing and better low-light performance, but this is speculative without sensor details. The presence or absence of OIS on the main sensor will be a critical differentiator, but is unknown from the provided data. We can assume both will include standard wide, ultrawide, and macro lenses, with the macro lens likely being of limited utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Galaxy A36 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm), while the A35 uses the Exynos 1380 (5nm). Despite the Exynos’s smaller node, the Snapdragon’s newer architecture and Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz (vs 2.0 GHz on the A35) provide a performance edge. The 4nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained loads. Both share an octa-core configuration, but the Snapdragon’s CPU architecture is more modern.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A35 exhibits a slightly longer active use score of 12:26h compared to the A36’s 11:38h. However, the A36 compensates with significantly faster charging: 45W wired, achieving 66% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 68 minutes, versus the A35’s 25W charging. The A36 also boasts a claimed 2000 charge cycles, suggesting improved long-term battery health. The faster charging effectively minimizes the impact of the slightly shorter active use time, making the A36 more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A36 if you prioritize performance and future-proofing, especially if you enjoy mobile gaming or demanding applications. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 provides a tangible upgrade. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A35 if you value slightly longer battery life during active use and are looking for a more budget-friendly option, accepting a trade-off in processing power. It remains a solid all-rounder.