The Samsung Galaxy F36 and Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The F36 aims for balanced efficiency with its Exynos 1380, while the Poco F5 Pro aggressively targets performance with the older, but still potent, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and rapid charging, the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset delivers significantly more processing power, and the 67W charging is a game-changer. However, the Galaxy F36 offers a more efficient processor and a potentially more refined software experience.
| 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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, July 21 | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 29 | Available. Released 2023, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, silicone polymer back (eco leather) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.7 mm (6.47 x 3.07 x 0.30 in) | 162.8 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 109.1 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP5 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED dual-tone 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
2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 50% in 15 min
30W wireless, 50% in 32 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Luxe Violet, Coral Red, Onyx Black | Black, White |
| Models | SM-E366B, SM-E366B/DS | 23013PC75G |
| Price | ₹ 16,999 | $ 449.99 / € 241.85 |
| SAR | 0.46 W/kg (head) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.38 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 99h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.2 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 1057977 (v9)
GeekBench: 4001 (v5.1), 4009 (v6)
GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy F36
- Potentially better battery efficiency due to the Exynos 1380.
- Samsung's One UI offers a polished software experience.
- Likely more affordable price point.
- Significantly less powerful processor than the Poco F5 Pro.
- Slower 25W charging.
- Display likely less bright than the Poco F5 Pro.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
- Superior performance with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.
- Extremely fast 67W wired and 30W wireless charging.
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 may run hotter under sustained load.
- Potentially less efficient battery life compared to the F36.
- Xiaomi's MIUI can be more cluttered than Samsung's One UI.
Display Comparison
The Poco F5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1059 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the Galaxy F36. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the F5 Pro’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage. We lack PWM frequency data for the F36, but the F5 Pro’s brightness advantage is the defining factor here, especially for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the Poco F5 Pro’s focus on overall performance, it’s reasonable to assume a more capable camera system, potentially with larger sensors and more advanced image stabilization. The F36 likely prioritizes computational photography to compensate for potentially less impressive hardware. We can safely ignore the presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device, as these are rarely useful.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco F5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Galaxy F36’s Exynos 1380 (5nm). The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 features a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside Cortex-A710 performance cores, offering a significant leap in CPU and GPU performance. The Exynos 1380, while efficient, uses older Cortex-A78 cores. The 4nm process of the Snapdragon also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The F5 Pro will deliver a smoother experience in graphically intensive applications and games.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the different chipsets. However, the charging capabilities are drastically different. The Poco F5 Pro’s 67W wired charging, with support for PD3.0 and QC3+, can reach 50% charge in just 15 minutes. It also offers 30W wireless charging. The Galaxy F36 is limited to 25W wired charging, making it significantly slower to replenish the battery. This charging speed difference is a major advantage for the Poco F5 Pro, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy F36 if you need a phone with a focus on all-day battery life and a smooth, reliable experience for everyday tasks. It’s ideal for users who prioritize efficiency and aren’t demanding gamers. Buy the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro if you prefer a phone that can handle demanding games, intensive multitasking, and benefits from incredibly fast charging speeds. It’s the better choice for power users and mobile gamers.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy F36 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1380 is an efficient chip, it's not as thermally efficient as the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Expect some throttling during extended gaming, potentially leading to frame rate drops. It's suitable for casual gaming, but not ideal for demanding titles at maximum settings.
❓ How effective is the 67W charging on the Poco F5 Pro with a power bank?
The 67W charging requires a compatible PD3.0 or QC3+ power bank to achieve its maximum speed. Using a standard power bank will significantly reduce the charging rate. Ensure your power bank supports the necessary protocols for optimal charging performance.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and Exynos 1380 noticeable in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference will be minimal. However, when opening multiple apps, editing videos, or playing demanding games, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 will provide a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience.
❓ What kind of video recording capabilities can I expect from the Poco F5 Pro?
While specific details are missing, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 supports 8K video recording. Expect the Poco F5 Pro to offer at least 4K recording at 60fps, with potentially advanced features like HDR video and improved stabilization.
