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If you are considering Samsung’s well-received A3X midrange smartphones, you may be weighing the benefits of the newly released Galaxy A36 against its predecessor, the Galaxy A35. This is a valid consideration, as both devices provide a comparable experience with some key differences.
In the United States, the Galaxy A36 is priced similarly to the A35, making the choice to upgrade to the newer model straightforward. In Europe, while the regional markup typically places the A36 about €50 more than the A35 at retail, savvy shoppers may find deals that reduce this discrepancy.
In the UK, the scenario shifts slightly. The A36 is limited to a single 256GB configuration, while the A35 offers a more budget-friendly 128GB option. Moreover, Samsung appears to maintain tighter control over pricing for the A36, resulting in a substantial price gap of approximately £150 compared to the older model. This difference is significant for consumers.
So, let’s delve into how the Galaxy A36 improves upon its predecessor.
Table of Contents:
To kick things off, you can examine the specifications in detail or continue reading our editor’s analysis below.
Size Comparison
Both the A35 and A36 share a similar footprint, but the A35 is marginally thicker and heavier. The display size has increased slightly from 6.6 inches to 6.7 inches on the A36, an upgrade that results in thinner bezels and a sleeker aesthetic overall.
Both devices feature sturdy construction with little flex, using a durable combination of glass and plastic materials, with the A36 additionally boasting Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the rear.
Both models enjoy an IP67 rating, affording protection against water immersion of up to one meter for 30 minutes. Examining controls, the button layout is standard across both devices, with each featuring an under-display optical fingerprint sensor and a hybrid stereo speaker setup, besides using virtual proximity sensors. Connectivity options are essentially on par; however, the Galaxy A36 comes with the added benefit of eSIM support and Bluetooth 5.4, upgrading from the A35’s Bluetooth 5.3. A significant drawback for the A36 is the absence of a microSD card slot, a feature that remains available in the A35.
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A36’s display is marginally larger, though it retains the same FullHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate as the A35. The most notable improvement lies in the maximum brightness, which is significantly higher on the A36, enhancing visibility under sunlight, although it still lacks HDR support.
Battery Life
Both smartphones are equipped with identical 5,000 mAh batteries, delivering similar endurance rates. Interestingly, the A35 tends to outperform the A36 in gaming scenarios, as the Exynos 1350 chip provides longer gaming battery life compared to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in the A36.
Charging Speed
The A36 offers an upgrade to 45W charging compared to the A35’s 25W. While the difference in charging speed is not drastic, tests show that the A36 reaches full charge in approximately 12 minutes less time. While neither phone includes a charger in the box, getting the fastest charging speed for the A36 requires a 5 Amp cable, as it ships with a 3 Amp version.
Speaker Test
Both devices share a near-identical hybrid stereo speaker setup, with testing indicating similar sound quality that offers clear mids and good highs. The A36 does seem to feature a slightly improved bass response, yet this distinction is subtle in practical usage. Both devices received commendable loudness ratings in evaluations.
Performance
While housed in different chipsets—the A35 with an Exynos 1380 and the A36 with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3—both models exhibit comparable performance characteristics. The A35 is available in multiple configurations, whereas the A36 includes options with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, with an option for up to 12GB of RAM.
From a software perspective, the A36 launches with the latest One UI 7 on Android 15, promising six major OS updates, while the A35 is limited to four updates on One UI 6.1 and Android 14.
Benchmark Performance
Benchmark results indicate that while the A36 offers slightly improved GPU performance, both devices deliver consistent thermal management during heavy usage, remaining notably cool to the touch.
Camera Comparison
The A36 refines the camera setup found in the A35, maintaining a similar trio of cameras but swapping the 13MP selfie camera for a new 12MP version. The significant enhancements in low-light photography capability for the A36 are notable for users who prioritize capturing high-quality images in less-than-ideal light conditions.
Image Quality
Overall image quality remains on par between both models, despite slight variances in processing that might favor one over the other in specific scenarios. The A36 applies more sharpening and contrast, often leading to darker shadows compared to the more subtle processing of the A35.
Both devices exhibit similar performance from the ultrawide camera, although the A36’s processing results in slightly higher detail with some retained noise. In terms of selfie quality, many users still favor the A35’s output in terms of color accuracy and details.
Video Quality
Both models can capture 4K video from their main cameras, and assessments show little variation in the resulting video quality, maintaining a standard level of performance.
Verdict
Both the Galaxy A36 and A35 excel as mid-range smartphones, embodying the value that Samsung’s A3X line has cultivated over the years. However, the changes from A35 to A36 are not particularly revolutionary. Enhancements such as a brighter display and faster charging deliver some incremental benefits, while the more efficient support for apps is certainly appealing.
Ultimately, your decision would hinge on pricing. In markets where both models are competitively priced, the A36 represents a prudent choice. Conversely, where a substantial price differential exists, the A35 emerges as a well-rounded option, delivering a comparable experience at a lower cost.
Reasons to Choose the Samsung Galaxy A36:
- The enhanced design combined with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides.
- A display with greater brightness levels.
- The speedier 45W charging capability.
- An extended software support cycle featuring six major OS updates.
- Improved GPU performance.
Reasons to Choose the Samsung Galaxy A35:
- A more budget-friendly price point (in certain markets).
- Comparable overall user experience.
- The availability of a microSD card slot.
- Superior gaming battery endurance.
Source
www.gsmarena.com