Samsung Galaxy A35 vs A36: A Battle of Cats?

Mid-range mobile phones are like house cats: sleek, agile and fierce in their own way. Sitting at the heart of Samsung’s galaxy product line, the A35 and A36 are no different, they promise premium features without the flagship price tag. But the real question is: Are we looking at a leap in value, or just fluff?

Both smartphones bring the Galaxy experience of stunning displays, solid cameras and software update support for an unimaginably extended period of time. But is the A36 truly a step up, or does the A35 still hold its ground as the ultimate value champ? Let’s dive in and find out.

As Apple Gadgets is one of the leading gadget retailers in the nation, this blog is aimed at guiding you in making an informed choice. Let’s break down the specs, the differences, and which of these feline warriors deserves a spot in your pocket.

Galaxy A35 vs A36: The Big Takeaways

After the release of Galaxy A35 in 2024, the Galaxy A36 has faced some sneaky changes, but they’re significant in terms of the overall feel and experience, with moderate impact on performance.

Galaxy A35	Galaxy A36
Exynos 1380 CPU + Mali G68 MP5 GPU	Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 CPU + Adreno 710 GPU
microSDXC on SIM Slot	No microSDXC
13 MP Selfie Camera	12 MP Selfie Camera
25W wired charging	45W wired charging
Separate camera lenses	Linear grouped camera layout

Samsung Galaxy A35 vs Samsung Galaxy A36: Design and Build

On the exterior, last year’s Galaxy A35 looked pretty clean. Featuring four attractive color variants – Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon. The Galaxy A35 came with a camera module consisting of 3 separate lenses, which the Galaxy A36 eliminates. By bringing all the lenses in a unified island, this year’s A36 Galaxy from Samsung offers better aesthetics (which many would argue about).

Galaxy A35	Galaxy A36
Gorilla glass front with plastic frame and glass back	Gorilla glass front with plastic frame and Gorilla glass back
Fully flat design with a punch hole front camera	Fully flat design with a punch hole front camera

However, this time, the color options are Lavender, Black, White and Lime – which are basically the same as its predecessors but with a touch of iridescence. It’s the same Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on the front as before, but now even the back side embraces the Gorilla goodness. Apart from that, the microSDXC card reader has vanished, which we really didn’t wish for since even with the higher storage variant you’ll have to settle for 256 GB.

Galaxy A35 vs A36: Display

Galaxy A35	Galaxy A36
6.6 inches, ~ 84.8% screen-to-body ratio	6.7 inches, ~ 86.5% screen-to-body ratio
Bright with 1000 nits (HBM)	Significantly brighter with 1200 nits (HBM) and 1900 nits (peak)
385 ppi density	390 ppi density

In terms of display, both Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A36 offer respectable features, and the differences are really shallow.

The similarities are these – they’re both AMOLED screens and support 120 Hz refresh rates, meaning the color, contrast and swipes are pretty fun. However, the real upgradation for Galaxy A36 is in its brightness this time – where the A35 offered 1000 nits that too in HBM, A36 takes the level to 1200 nits in HBM and 1900 nits for peak level. So for those looking to use their phone under bright sunny skies – A36 is the ideal choice. 

Regarding the display size and screen-to-body ratio, the slight difference is almost invisible – A35 comes at 6.6 inches Vs A36’s 6.7 inches. The screen to body ratio is 84.8% Vs 86.5% respectively. With 390 ppi density on the Galaxy A36, you’re getting a marginal experience boost over Galaxy A35’s 385 ppi.

The screen resolution this time sees no change, so in the display section we could say that the upgrades are there, if you care!

Read More: Best Samsung Mobile Phones Under 20000 in Bangladesh

Galaxy A35 vs A36: Photography Potential

Galaxy A35	Galaxy A36
Rear:  50 MP | 8 MP | 5 MP | 4K@30fps	50 MP| 8 MP | 5 MP | 4K@30fps
Front: 13 MP | 4K@30fps	Front: 12 MP | 4K@30fps | 10-bit HDR

Now, if you’re looking for a great upgrade from your old Galaxy A35, the A36 has not much to offer. That being said, you’ll also have to consider its existing camera prowess which is pretty darn great. You’re getting a 50 MP main camera that can record 4K at 30 fps, or 1080p at 30 / 60 fps. So capturing still shots and videos at stunning detail is already there. 

With the help of dedicated filters, AI remaster and background blur, expect vivid colors for awe-inspiring photos that are worth sharing. Plus, both the A36 and A35 smartphones from Samsung Galaxy product lines come packed with an 8 MP ultrawide and a 5 MP macro sensor, so you can really zoom into those intriguing textures or snap the largest group photo, no worries.

For the selfie camera, A36 this time cuts the corners with 12 MP where A35 from last year had 13 MP sensor. BUT (yes, hear me out) – this time it offers 10 bit HDR. So yes, your big city nightlife outings are totally a go this time!

Samsung Galaxy A35 Vs Samsung Galaxy A36: Performance

Galaxy A35	Galaxy A36
Exynos 1380 CPU, built with 5 nm process	Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 CPU, built with 4 nm process
Mali-G68 MP5 GPU	Adreno 710

Let’s get real – a generational leap in performance is what any gadget nerd expects, even from a mid tier smartphone if the brand is Samsung. Well, Samsung has always been delivering what’s expected, and with Galaxy A36, it’s even more prominent this year.

So what’s changed? Samsung bravely swapped their in-house developed 5 nm Exynos 1380 with the market revving Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, built on TSMC’s 4nm process. Although Exynos has long been synonymous with power efficiency in Samsung devices, this time, the global tech giant prioritized performance. That’s not to say power efficiency was overlooked – far from it. The Snapdragon chip not only brings a newer and more refined architecture but also delivers a significant boost in speed while leveraging its 4 nm process to maximize energy savings.

Now, looking at the GPU, the Mali-G68 MP5 on the A35 has been replaced (again, for performance) by the Adreno 710. So gaming or crunching those graphics-intensive tasks should feel noticeably smoother and more responsive on the A36. The Adreno 710 not only improves frame rates but also enhances visual fidelity, making it a solid upgrade for casual gamers and power users.

Read More: Best Mobile Phones Under 25000 in Bangladesh

Samsung Galaxy A35 vs A36: User Interface & OS

Galaxy A35	Galaxy A36
One UI 6.1	One UI 7.0
Android 14	Android 15
4 Major Android Upgrades	6 Major Android Upgrades

The user interface on the Galaxy A36 brings a lot of improvements over A35, revamping overall usability and aesthetics. The A35 runs Samsung’s own One UI 6.1 based on Android 14 which is upgraded on the A36 with One UI version 7, based on Android 15. While the A35 featured a slightly top drawer compartment design, the A36 embraces more rounded edges which creates a more modern and intuitive feel. There’s a slight shift back to realistic icons on the new UI, achieved with a more shiny and shadowy look. This essentially moves us away from the old flat design logos that can feel impersonal.

In case of functionality, the task changer now displays screens by stacking them instead of putting them on a side by side view for easy multitasking. Quick access icons retain their positions but rotate 90 degrees for a fresh look. Additionally, users can now swipe to expand all notifications from a single app, streamlining access to important updates.

From wallpapers to Smart Island, there have been some noticeable glow-ups in how things look and feel. The UI ditches that overly sterile flatness for something that feels alive. It’s like our phone actually has a bit of personality now. Plus, A35 is getting only 4 major Android upgrades compared to A36 getting 6, meaning the later variant gives you a longer-lasting, future-proof experience.

Samsung A35 Vs A36 Battery: What’s Changed?

Galaxy A35	Galaxy A36
25 W Wired	45 W Wired
5000 mAh	5000 mAh

In the battery section Samsung put no real surprise here. Both A35 & A36 by Samsung Galaxy come packed with a typical 5,000 mAh battery which is large, and quite more than enough to power through the day.

But things get interesting with the wall adapter that’s supposed to be used with them. The A35 from a year before is ideal to charge with a 25 W brick that’s not included in the box. Nope, no wireless charging magic for the Galaxy A36 – Samsung is saving that for its flagship lineup. But A36 does take things up a notch with a 45W charger (claiming to hit 66% in just 30 minutes and a full charge in 68 minutes.)

So efficiency has been upgraded, if not anything else this year. Faster wired charging means less time tethered to a cable and more time doing, well… anything else.

Overall Specs

Now, let’s take a look at the detailed spec sheet for both the smartphones, so you can quickly notice the differences of Galaxy A35 Vs 36:

Specification	Galaxy A35	Galaxy A36
Network	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch	2024, March 11	2025, March 02
Body Dimensions	161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm	162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm
Weight	209 g	195 g
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+)
SIM	Nano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
IP Rating	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)	IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display Type	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)	Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak)
Display Size	6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)	6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)	1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
OS	Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1	Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
Chipset	Exynos 1380 (5 nm)	Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPU	Octa-core (4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU	Mali-G68 MP5	Adreno 710
Memory Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	No
Internal	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | UFS 2.2
Main Camera	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.96″, PDAF, OIS8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0″, 1.12µm5 MP, f/2.4, (macro)	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.96″, PDAF, OIS8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0″, 1.12µm5 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Main Camera Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Main Camera Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie Camera	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06″, 1.12µm	12 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Selfie Camera Features	N/A	10-bit HDR
Selfie Camera Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
Sound Features	Loudspeaker with stereo speakers	Loudspeaker with stereo speakers
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth	5.3, A2DP, LE	5.4, A2DP, LE
Positioning	GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS	GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	Yes (market/region dependent)
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, Virtual proximity sensing, Circle to Search	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, Virtual proximity sensing, Circle to Search
Features	Android Audio Streaming for Hearing Aid(ASHA)SmartThings Support	Android Audio Streaming for Hearing Aid(ASHA)SmartThings Support
Battery	Li-Ion 5000 mAh	Typ 5000 mAh
Charging Info	25W wired	45W wired, 66% in 30 min, 100% in 68 min
Colors	Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon	Lavender, Black, White, Lime

Verdict

To sum it up in a few words, both the Galaxy A35 and A36 hold their ground well, providing very narrowed down advantages that may cater to different user segments. The vital differences come down to performance, charging speed, and software longevity.

The Galaxy A35 5G is a solid choice for you if you prefer affordability, expandable storage, and a well-balanced daily experience. It offers reliable performance without stretching your budget.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for better processing power, faster charging, and longer software support, the Galaxy A36 5G is your best bet for a midrange Galaxy smartphone today. With the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 and 45W charging, it brings not just a significant boost in performance but also ensures a far more future-proof experience.

Ultimately, your decision should depend on whether you value expandable storage and affordability or faster performance and future-proofing. Either way, both devices bring great value to the table.

Go with the Galaxy A35 if:

• You need expandable storage (supports microSDXC)
• You prefer a lower price without sacrificing core features
• You’re okay with one less year of software updates
• You don’t mind slower 25W charging

Go with the Galaxy A36 if:

• You want the performance of Snapdragon 6 Gen 3
• Faster 45W charging is important to you
• You don’t rely on microSD storage
• You need longer software support

Closing Thoughts

We’ve spent time dissecting two of the most adorable cats in Samsung’s midrange Galaxy lineup, but in their own territories, these house cats are nothing short of tigers. We hope we were able to narrow down the debate between these two smartphones, highlighting how the Galaxy A35 and A36, while similar at first glance, each dominate their own turf with distinct advantages.

If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect budget smartphone, be sure to check out our article on the Best Mobile Phones Under 40,000 in Bangladesh for more options that fit your needs!

Thanks for sticking with us through this head-to-head showdown! We hope to see you again in another blog, where we’ll dive into something well within the realm of next-gen tech – but from an entirely different angle. Until then, take care and happy gadget hunting!