Samsung Galaxy A36 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
The Samsung Galaxy A36 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 (2026) runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $330 and $1999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 leads — 73/100 vs 52/100 (a 21-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy A36 has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4800); the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is faster in AnTuTu (3,382,020 vs 840,353); the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is thinner (4.5mm vs 7.4mm).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy A36
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
What makes Samsung Galaxy A36 better?
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4800 mAh
- Lighter: 195g vs 201g
- Cheaper at launch: $330 vs $1999
- Overall rating 52/100
What makes Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3382020 vs 840353
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 1013
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 3000
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 55/100)
- Better camera (50/100 vs 34/100)
- Longer battery life (52/100 vs 48/100)
- Better display (80/100 vs 79/100)
- Better portability (74/100 vs 68/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy A36 vs the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 scores 21 points higher (73/100 vs 52/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 leads (96/100 vs 55/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 leads (50/100 vs 34/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy A36 — 40/100, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 — 54/100; 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 Z Fold8 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (96/100 vs 55/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and the Samsung Galaxy A36 are nearly equal (80/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (50/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and the Samsung Galaxy A36 are nearly equal (52/100 vs 48/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is a bit better (74/100 vs 68/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy A36 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 840353 | 3382020 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1013 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3000 | 11047 | |
| Display | 6.7" Super AMOLED | 7.6" Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1828x2448 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4800 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 45W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 15W | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 10 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 17 / One UI 9 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1900 nits | 3000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP67 | IP48 | |
| Dimensions | 162.9×78.2×7.4 mm | 123.9×161.4×4.5 mm | |
| Weight | 195 g | 201 g | |
| Launch price | $330 | $1999 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy A36
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Front: 10MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy A36
- 6.7" Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2340
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
- 7.6" Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 1828x2448
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy A36
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
- 4800 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy A36 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 leads Samsung Galaxy A36 by 75.2% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $1669. Samsung Galaxy A36 was $1669 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (96/100 vs 55/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and the Samsung Galaxy A36 are nearly equal (80/100 vs 79/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (50/100 vs 34/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and the Samsung Galaxy A36 are nearly equal (52/100 vs 48/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is a bit better (74/100 vs 68/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy A36 or the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 by 21 points (73/100 vs 52/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy A36 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?
The Samsung Galaxy A36 has a MobileRank rating of 52/100, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 — 73/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy A36 or the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 leads on camera score (50/100 vs 34/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy A36 or the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 leads on performance (96/100 vs 55/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy A36 over the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is a better fit for gamers and power users.