Samsung Galaxy A36 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy A36 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $330 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 52/100 (a 32-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 50 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,939,244 vs 840,353); the Samsung Galaxy A36 is noticeably lighter (195g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy A36
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Samsung Galaxy A36 better?
- Lighter: 195g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $330 vs $1299
- Better portability (68/100 vs 51/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3939244 vs 840353
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 1013
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 3000
- Faster charging: 60W vs 45W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Higher performance (97/100 vs 55/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 34/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 48/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 79/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy A36 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 32 points higher (84/100 vs 52/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (97/100 vs 55/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 48/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy A36 — 40/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (97/100 vs 55/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (86/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 48/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A36 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (68/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy A36 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 840353 | 3939244 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1013 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3000 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.7" Super AMOLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB / 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1900 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP67 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 162.9×78.2×7.4 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 195 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $330 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy A36
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy A36
- 6.7" Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2340
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy A36
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy A36 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy A36 by 78.7% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $969. Samsung Galaxy A36 was $969 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (97/100 vs 55/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 79/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (86/100 vs 34/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 48/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A36 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (68/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy A36 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 by 32 points (84/100 vs 52/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy A36 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy A36 has a MobileRank rating of 52/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy A36 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 34/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy A36 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (97/100 vs 55/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy A36 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.