Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

Updated Sep 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score

For most buyers the Samsung Galaxy S26 is the better pick — it scores 76/100 to the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G's 59, leading on Chip and Memory. Choose the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G instead if you want to spend less.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Samsung Galaxy S26 leads overall

Samsung Galaxy S26

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

Why it stands out

Storage capacity: 512 GB (300% more)
Rear Camera Optical zoom: 3 (200% more)
Benchmark Antutu score: 2,441,481 (298% more)

Watch-outs

Compromises to know before you buy

Samsung Galaxy S26

No notable compromises found.

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

No wireless charging.

Winner by category for Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Category	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G	Winner
Chip	90	49	Samsung Galaxy S26
Memory	80	52	Samsung Galaxy S26
Storage	66	33	Samsung Galaxy S26
Display	66	64	Tie
Rear Camera	72	64	Samsung Galaxy S26
Front Camera	61	61	Tie
Cellular	84	84	Tie
Connectivity	75	66	Samsung Galaxy S26
Sensors	85	85	Tie
Design & Weight	69	55	Samsung Galaxy S26
Power & Battery	69	62	Samsung Galaxy S26
Benchmark	92	31	Samsung Galaxy S26
Miscellaneous	79	68	Samsung Galaxy S26
Security	85	85	Tie

In-depth analysisAI

AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Sep 2026.

Samsung Galaxy S26

The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a premium, compact smartphone running Android 16 with One UI 8.5, tailored for users who prefer a smaller form factor. Depending on the region, it is powered by either the 3nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 or the 2nm Samsung Exynos 2600 processor. It features a remarkably slim 7.2mm profile, a 167-gram lightweight body, and a 4300 mAh battery.

Best for Gamers who want top-tier processing power in a smaller, highly portable sizeBest for Buyers looking for an ultra-slim, lightweight flagship phone that easily fits…

Pros

Extremely thin and lightweight design measuring 7.2 mm in depth and weighing 167 grams
Excellent processing and gaming performance powered by next-generation chipsets
Equipped with modern Wi-Fi 7 support for fast wireless connectivity

Cons

Subpar battery endurance that struggles to survive a full day of regular use
Wired charging speeds are limited to a relatively slow 25W
Unchanged camera hardware that can struggle when photographing moving subjects

Official

Official product page

Review

Review videos (1 reviewer)Provided real-world testing feedback concerning battery life limitations, camera performance on living subjects, and gaming capabilities.

Source

Generated Jul 4, 2026

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is a mid-range smartphone built for users seeking long-term software support and dependable daily performance. Powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, this device features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a fluid 120Hz refresh rate and a robust 5,000 mAh battery.

Best for Budget-conscious buyers seeking exceptional software longevity and years of…Best for Outdoor media consumption requiring a highly legible, ultra-bright screenBest for Everyday reliability in environments requiring certified IP67 dust and water…

Pros

Extended software commitment providing six years of Android OS and security updates
Bright 120Hz AMOLED screen reaching a peak brightness of 1900 nits
Upgraded 45W fast charging capabilities for the 5,000 mAh battery
Enhanced physical durability with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back

Cons

Removes the microSD card slot for expandable storage
Lacks a physical 3.5mm headphone jack
Constructed with a plastic frame instead of a metal chassis

Source

Video — reviews used (2)

Generated Sep 1, 2026

Value for Money

Which is the better deal for the price

Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.

Samsung Galaxy S26

Check Price on Amazon

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

Check Price on Amazon

Performance

Higher benchmark score = faster

Samsung Galaxy S262,441,481

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G613,492

See the raw benchmark values →

Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.

Battery capacity

Larger cell — a hardware spec, not battery life

Samsung Galaxy S264,300 mAh

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G5,000 mAh

Capacity is the raw battery size. Real-world battery life depends just as much on the processor, software and display.

Physical Comparison

Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D

Samsung Galaxy S26Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is 28 g (17%) heavier than Samsung Galaxy S26.

Review Videos

Hand-picked expert reviews for each product

Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Chip

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Model

Memory

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
RAM capacity	12 GB50% more	8 GB
Memory technology		N/A

Storage

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Storage capacity	512 GB300% more	128 GB
Is expandable	No	No

Display

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Size	6.3 in	6.7 in6% more
Resolution	1080 × 2340 px	1080 × 2340 px
Pixel density	411 PPI7% more	385 PPI
Refresh rate	120 Hz	120 Hz
Display technology
Protection
Has pen support	No	No
Screen-to-body ratio	91%	87%

Rear Camera

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Rear camera (megapixels)	50 MP	50 MP
Rear camera aperture	1.8	1.8
Optical zoom	3200% more	1
Has High Dynamic Range (HDR)	Yes	Yes
Has Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)	Yes	Yes
Number of cameras	3	3
Other cameras	10 MP telephoto f/2.4, 12 MP ultrawide f/2.2	8 MP ultrawide f/2.2, 5 MP macro f/2.4

Front Camera

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Front camera (megapixels)	12 MP	12 MP
Front camera aperture	2.2	2.2

Cellular

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Cellular technology
SIM type
Has dual-sim support	Yes	Yes

Connectivity

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Bluetooth technology
Wi-Fi technology
Connector
Has a headphone jack	No	No

Sensors

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Has a NFC sensor	Yes	Yes
Has an accelerometer sensor	Yes	Yes
Has a gyroscope sensor	Yes	Yes
Has a magnetic field sensor	Yes	Yes
Has an atmospheric pressure sensor	Yes	No
Has a GPS sensor	Yes	Yes

Design & Weight

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Color	N/A	N/A
Dimensions	7.17 × 14.96 × 0.72 cm	7.82 × 16.29 × 0.74 cm
Weight	167 g14% less	195 g

Power & Battery

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Battery capacity	4,300 mAh	5,000 mAh16% more
Has wireless charging support	Yes	No
Has fast charging support	Yes	Yes

Benchmark

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Antutu score	2,441,481298% more	613,492
Geekbench single-core score	2,995197% more	1,007
Geekbench multi-core score	10,824271% more	2,917

Miscellaneous

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Release date	March 6, 2026	March 10, 2025
SAR (Head)	1.19 W/kg	1.07 W/kg10% less
SAR (Body)	1.2 W/kg	N/A
Dust & Water resistance
Operating system

Security

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S26	Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Has a fingerprint scanner	Yes	Yes
Has an advanced face scanner	No	No

Specification Note

Specifications are compiled from official manufacturer data and other reliable internet sources. Some features may vary by region or model configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Samsung Galaxy A36 5G comparison

Based on our overall comparison score, Samsung Galaxy S26 rates higher at 81/100 versus 66/100 for Samsung Galaxy A36 5G — a 15-point lead. Samsung Galaxy S26 is the stronger overall pick, though the right choice still depends on which specs matter most to you; the full spec table above breaks down every difference.

Samsung Galaxy S26 and Samsung Galaxy A36 5G are compared side by side above across every spec in the smartphones category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 81/100 for Samsung Galaxy S26 and 66/100 for Samsung Galaxy A36 5G.

At launch, Samsung Galaxy A36 5G was the more affordable option ($400) versus Samsung Galaxy S26 ($860). Weigh that against the overall scores (81/100 vs 66/100) and the value-for-money meter above to judge whether the higher-rated model justifies its price for your needs. Current retail prices vary — check the retailer.

If you want the higher-rated smartphones option overall, Samsung Galaxy S26 (81/100) edges out Samsung Galaxy A36 5G (66/100). But if Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is cheaper or stronger on the specific specs you care about, it can still be the better buy — use the spec table and strengths profile above to decide.