Samsung Galaxy A36 vs Vivo iQOO 16
The Samsung Galaxy A36 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, while the Vivo iQOO 16 (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6; launch prices were $330 and $840. By overall MobileRank rating, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads — 89/100 vs 52/100 (a 37-point difference). Key differences: the Vivo iQOO 16 has the bigger battery (8400 mAh vs 5000); the Vivo iQOO 16 is faster in AnTuTu (5,498,720 vs 840,353); the Samsung Galaxy A36 is noticeably lighter (195g vs 223g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy A36
Vivo iQOO 16
What makes Samsung Galaxy A36 better?
- Lighter: 195g vs 223g
- Cheaper at launch: $330 vs $840
- Better portability (68/100 vs 42/100)
What makes Vivo iQOO 16 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5498720 vs 840353
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 1013
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 3000
- Bigger battery: 8400 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 45W
- Higher refresh rate: 165Hz vs 120Hz
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 55/100)
- Better camera (78/100 vs 34/100)
- Longer battery life (90/100 vs 48/100)
- Better display (99/100 vs 79/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy A36 vs the Vivo iQOO 16, the Vivo iQOO 16 scores 37 points higher (89/100 vs 52/100). In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (100/100 vs 55/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (78/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (90/100 vs 48/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy A36 — 40/100, Vivo iQOO 16 — 92/100; 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 Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (100/100 vs 55/100). In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (99/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (78/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (90/100 vs 48/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A36 notably outperforms the Vivo iQOO 16 (68/100 vs 42/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy A36 | Vivo iQOO 16 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | |
| AnTuTu | 840353 | 5498720 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1013 | 4327 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3000 | 12873 | |
| Display | 6.7" Super AMOLED | 6.8" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1440x3168 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 165 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 8400 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 40W | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 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 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1900 nits | 6000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP67 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 162.9×78.2×7.4 mm | 163.8×76.9×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 195 g | 223 g | |
| Launch price | $330 | $840 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy A36
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 12MP
Vivo iQOO 16
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy A36
- 6.7" Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2340
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Vivo iQOO 16
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3168
- Refresh rate: 165 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy A36
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
Vivo iQOO 16
- 8400 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 40W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy A36 and Vivo iQOO 16, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Vivo iQOO 16 leads Samsung Galaxy A36 by 84.7% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $510. Samsung Galaxy A36 was $510 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (100/100 vs 55/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (99/100 vs 79/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (78/100 vs 34/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 (90/100 vs 48/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A36 notably outperforms the Vivo iQOO 16 (68/100 vs 42/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy A36 or the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A36 by 37 points (89/100 vs 52/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy A36 and the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Samsung Galaxy A36 has a MobileRank rating of 52/100, the Vivo iQOO 16 — 89/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy A36 or the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Vivo iQOO 16 leads on camera score (78/100 vs 34/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy A36 or the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Vivo iQOO 16 leads on performance (100/100 vs 55/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy A36 over the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Vivo iQOO 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.