The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is the successor to the Galaxy A35 5G, bringing several upgrades in performance, display brightness, software support, and camera capabilities. But are these changes significant enough to warrant an upgrade? This in-depth comparison looks at both devices in detail, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and overall value.
| Feature | Galaxy A35 5G (2024) | Galaxy A36 5G (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.6″ FHD+ Super AMOLED, Infinity-O, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) | 6.7″ FHD+ Super AMOLED, Infinity-O, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM) |
| Processor | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| RAM & Storage | 8+128GB / 8+256GB | 8+128GB / 8+256GB |
| OS & Updates | 5 years OS, 4 years security updates | 6 years OS, 6 years security updates |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP OIS (Super HDR Video), 8MP Ultra Wide, 5MP Macro | 50MP OIS (Video HDR), 8MP Ultra Wide, 5MP Macro |
| Front Camera | 13MP | 12MP (Video HDR) |
| Battery | 5000mAh, 25W Fast Charging | 5000mAh, 45W Fast Charging |
| Dimensions | 161.6 x 78.2 x 8.2mm, 209g | 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4mm, 195g |
| Build | Rear: Glass, Side: Plastic | Rear: Glass, Side: Plastic |
| Other Features | On-screen fingerprint, Stereo speakers, IP67 | On-screen fingerprint, Stereo speakers, IP67, eSIM, Samsung Knox Vault, AI features |
| Colors | Awesome Iceblue, Awesome Lilac | Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Lavender |
Design and Build Quality
Both the Galaxy A35 5G and A36 5G maintain a similar design language, with a flat glass back, individual rear camera cutouts, and plastic side frames. However, Samsung has slightly refined the A36 5G by making it thinner and lighter (195g vs. 209g), making it more comfortable to hold.
The dimensions have changed slightly, with the A36 being taller and wider by a few millimeters. However, the difference isn’t drastic. Samsung continues to offer IP67 water and dust resistance, which is a solid feature for a mid-range phone, ensuring durability against minor splashes and dust exposure.
One noticeable downside is that both phones use plastic frames instead of aluminum, which feels less premium. However, this is a trade-off to keep costs low while still offering a glass back for a more refined feel.
Display and Viewing Experience
The Galaxy A36 5G receives a slight upgrade in display size (6.7″ vs. 6.6″) and brightness, now reaching 1200 nits (HBM) compared to 1000 nits on the A35 5G. This improvement enhances outdoor visibility, making it easier to use the phone under direct sunlight.
Both models feature FHD+ Super AMOLED panels with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth animations and vibrant colors. The slight increase in brightness may not be noticeable in everyday use, but it’s beneficial in extreme lighting conditions.
Overall, the display experience remains excellent for a mid-range phone, with deep blacks, high contrast, and smooth scrolling.
Performance and Processing Power
One of the most significant upgrades in the Galaxy A36 5G is the shift from Samsung’s Exynos 1380 (5nm) to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm). This change is expected to deliver better efficiency, improved sustained performance, and better optimization for apps and games.
The Exynos 1380 in the A35 5G was decent but struggled with power efficiency and thermal management in extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 offers a more optimized experience, especially in GPU performance and AI-related tasks.
While both devices support 8GB RAM with storage options up to 256GB, the A36 5G benefits from better software and AI optimizations that improve multitasking, gaming, and power management.
Software and Longevity
Samsung has extended its software support with the A36 5G, offering 6 years of OS and security updates, compared to 5 years on the A35 5G. This means the A36 will stay relevant for an extra year, making it a better long-term investment.
Both devices run Samsung’s One UI based on Android, featuring Samsung Knox security, customization options, and AI-powered optimizations.
The extra year of updates on the A36 5G makes it a clear winner in software support, ensuring better long-term usability.
Camera System and Photography
Rear Cameras
Both devices feature a 50MP main sensor with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP macro sensor.
The key improvement on the A36 5G is the addition of Video HDR on the main sensor, which enhances dynamic range in videos. This is useful for capturing better highlights and shadows, especially in high-contrast environments.
Front Camera
The A35 5G has a 13MP selfie camera, while the A36 5G has a 12MP sensor with Video HDR. While the megapixel count has decreased, HDR improvements should provide better-balanced selfies, especially in mixed lighting.
Overall, while the rear camera system remains largely the same, video performance is better on the A36 5G due to HDR support.
Battery Life and Charging Speed
Both phones feature a 5000mAh battery, ensuring all-day usage. However, the A36 5G now supports 45W fast charging, compared to 25W on the A35 5G. This significantly reduces charging time, allowing users to go from 0 to 50% in around 30 minutes instead of 50 minutes on the A35 5G.
Despite similar battery capacities, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 on the A36 5G is more power-efficient than the Exynos 1380, potentially leading to slightly better battery life in real-world usage.
Audio and Other Features
Both devices have stereo speakers, on-screen fingerprint scanners, and IP67 water resistance. However, the A36 5G introduces AI-powered features, which may improve user experience in tasks like voice recognition, photo editing, and performance optimizations.
The impact of AI features remains to be seen, but it could provide better usability improvements over time.
Pricing in the Philippines
- Galaxy A35 5G:
- 8+128GB – ₱20,990
- 8+256GB – ₱22,990
- Galaxy A36 5G:
- 8+128GB – ₱19,990 (E-store only)
- 8+256GB – ₱21,990
Surprisingly, the A36 5G launched at a slightly lower price than the A35 5G, making it a better deal with upgraded hardware and software longevity.
Verdict: Should You Upgrade?
Reasons to Choose the Galaxy A36 5G:
- Better Performance: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is a noticeable upgrade over the Exynos 1380, leading to better efficiency and gaming performance.
- Brighter Display: 1200 nits vs. 1000 nits makes it easier to use outdoors.
- Improved Video Recording: Video HDR provides better color and exposure balance.
- Longer Software Support: 6 years vs. 5 years ensures longer relevance.
- Faster Charging: 45W vs. 25W reduces charging time significantly.
- Lighter and Thinner: More comfortable to hold.
Reasons to Stick with the Galaxy A35 5G:
- If you already own an A35 5G, the improvements may not be significant enough to justify an upgrade.
- If you find a good discount on the A35 5G, it still offers a solid experience.
The Galaxy A36 5G is a solid improvement over the A35 5G, bringing a better processor, faster charging, improved video capabilities, and longer software support while maintaining a lower price at launch.
For new buyers, the A36 5G is the clear winner, offering a future-proof mid-range experience at a competitive price. However, A35 5G users may not need to upgrade unless they specifically want better performance and charging speeds.
Would you consider upgrading to the Galaxy A36 5G, or is your A35 5G still good enough for daily use? Let us know!
