The Samsung Galaxy A36 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both devices leverage Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform, they target slightly different priorities – the A36 emphasizing endurance and processing power, while the Note 13R focuses on delivering strong value. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A36 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset and impressive 41:28h endurance rating provide a noticeable advantage, despite the Redmi Note 13R’s attractive price point.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 02 | 2024, May 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 10 | Available. Released 2024, May 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+) | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm (6.41 x 3.08 x 0.29 in) | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm (6.64 x 3.00 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, Mohs level 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Adreno 613 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, 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) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, (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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| 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, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 66% in 30 min, 100% in 68 min | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5030 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lavender, Black, White, Lime | Black, Blue, Silver |
| Models | SM-A366E, SM-A366E/DS, SM-A366B, SM-A366B/DS, SM-A366U, SM-A366U1, SM-A366W | 2406ERN9CC |
| Price | € 232.99 / $ 243.29 / £ 189.00 / ₹ 28,898 | About 180 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 performance with Snapdragon 6 Gen 3
- Exceptional battery life with 41:28h endurance
- Faster 45W charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Likely higher price point
- Potential for Samsung’s One UI to include bloatware
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R
- More affordable price
- Efficient Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 chipset
- Streamlined MIUI software experience
- Potentially lighter and more compact design
- Slower charging speed (33W)
- Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A36 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1233 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Redmi Note 13R (brightness data unavailable, but typically lower in this segment). While both likely utilize AMOLED panels given the brand tendencies, the A36’s higher brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor use. Details regarding refresh rate and resolution are missing, but the A36’s brightness suggests a more premium display experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are currently limited. However, given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both phones will feature multi-camera setups. The absence of sensor details necessitates focusing on processing capabilities. Samsung generally emphasizes vibrant, saturated colors, while Xiaomi often aims for a more natural look. Without specific sensor information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the A36’s more powerful chipset could translate to faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Galaxy A36 features the Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm), while the Redmi Note 13R uses the SM4450 Snapdragon 4+ Gen 2 (4nm). The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, with its octa-core configuration (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55), offers a more powerful CPU than the Note 13R’s (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55). The A78 cores in the A36 are clocked higher, indicating faster processing speeds. While both are built on a 4nm process for efficiency, the A36’s chipset is architecturally superior, promising smoother multitasking and improved gaming performance.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A36 shines in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 41:28h rating with 2000 charge cycles. This suggests a long-lasting battery and excellent longevity. Active use yields 11:38h. The Redmi Note 13R’s battery capacity is unknown, but its 33W charging is slower than the A36’s 45W charging (66% in 30 min, 100% in 68 min). The A36’s faster charging significantly reduces downtime, making it more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A36 if you need a phone that can reliably handle demanding applications, extended gaming sessions, and offers exceptional battery life. Its faster processor and optimized charging are ideal for power users. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R if you prioritize affordability and a streamlined user experience, and are willing to trade some processing power and battery longevity for a lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in the Galaxy A36 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is a capable mid-range chipset. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it should be able to run Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense scenes, but overall, the gaming experience should be enjoyable.
❓ How does the 33W charging on the Redmi Note 13R compare to the 45W charging on the A36 in real-world usage?
The A36’s 45W charging is noticeably faster. It can reach 66% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 68 minutes. The Redmi Note 13R’s 33W charging will take considerably longer to fully charge, potentially over 90 minutes. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A36 support software updates for an extended period?
Samsung typically provides several years of software updates for its A-series devices. While the exact duration isn't confirmed for the A36, users can reasonably expect at least 3 years of Android OS updates and 4 years of security patches, offering long-term software support.