Samsung Galaxy A36 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
The Samsung Galaxy A36 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600; launch prices were $330 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads — 75/100 vs 52/100 (a 23-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy A36 has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4000); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is faster in AnTuTu (3,161,126 vs 840,353); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g vs 195g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy A36
Samsung Galaxy S26
What makes Samsung Galaxy A36 better?
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 45W vs 25W
- Cheaper at launch: $330 vs $799
- Longer battery life (48/100 vs 31/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3161126 vs 840353
- Better Geekbench Single: 2880 vs 1013
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9100 vs 3000
- Lighter: 162g vs 195g
- Higher performance (91/100 vs 55/100)
- Better camera (77/100 vs 34/100)
- Better display (81/100 vs 79/100)
- Better portability (89/100 vs 68/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy A36 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26, the Samsung Galaxy S26 scores 23 points higher (75/100 vs 52/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads (91/100 vs 55/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads (77/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy A36 leads (48/100 vs 31/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy A36 — 40/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 — 64/100; 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 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (91/100 vs 55/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Samsung Galaxy A36 are nearly equal (81/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (77/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy A36 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (48/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (89/100 vs 68/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy A36 | Samsung Galaxy S26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 840353 | 3161126 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1013 | 2880 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3000 | 9100 | |
| Display | 6.7" Super AMOLED | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 2340x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 25W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 15W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 146 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 10 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB / 12GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | |
| 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 | 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm | |
| Weight | 195 g | 162 g | |
| Launch price | $330 | $799 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy A36
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy A36
- 6.7" Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2340
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy A36
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy A36 and Samsung Galaxy S26, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 leads Samsung Galaxy A36 by 73.4% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $469. Samsung Galaxy A36 was $469 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (91/100 vs 55/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Samsung Galaxy A36 are nearly equal (81/100 vs 79/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (77/100 vs 34/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy A36 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (48/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (89/100 vs 68/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy A36 or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 by 23 points (75/100 vs 52/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy A36 and the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy A36 has a MobileRank rating of 52/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 — 75/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy A36 or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on camera score (77/100 vs 34/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy A36 or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on performance (91/100 vs 55/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy A36 over the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users.