Samsung Galaxy A36 and A26: Which Should You Buy?

Samsung Launches Galaxy A36 and A26 – Mid-Range Gets a Major Upgrade!

Samsung continues to dominate the mid-range smartphone market, and with the launch of the new Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A26, they’re proving once again why they’re a fan favorite. Samsung’s goal has always been clear — to deliver the best features at a price that’s accessible. And these two new additions are no exception.

One of the most exciting announcements? Samsung is promising 6 years of OS updates for its A series models (A16 and above). That’s a huge deal! Mid-range phones rarely get this level of long-term support, meaning these devices will stay updated, secure, and packed with the latest features for years to come.

But that’s not all. With enhanced performance, fast charging, and some exciting camera innovations, the Galaxy A36 and A26 are designed to give users an experience that feels premium without the premium price tag.

So, without keeping you waiting any longer, let’s dive into all the inside details of these impressive new phones!

Galaxy A36 promises powerful performance

Samsung Galaxy A36 – Full Features Breakdown

Samsung has once again raised the bar in the mid-range smartphone segment with the launch of the Galaxy A36. While Samsung has long been known for its dominance in this category, the A36 brings notable upgrades that make it stand out — from a powerful new chipset to camera enhancements, durable build quality, and smart AI features. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this phone so exciting.

Powerful Snapdragon Chipset

One of the most attractive features of the Galaxy A36 is its Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset. After years of relying on Exynos processors in this range, Samsung has switched things up, and it’s a game-changer. Known for its impressive performance, the Snapdragon chipset ensures smooth multitasking and gaming experiences. Whether you’re switching between apps or playing graphics-heavy games, the A36 promises to handle it all with ease.

• Base Memory Configuration: 6GB RAM + 128GB storage (with an 8GB + 128GB version available in some regions).
• Upgrade Option: 8GB RAM + 256GB storage for those needing more space and power.

To keep things running cool, Samsung has included a large Vapor Chamber (15% bigger than previous models), similar to the one found in the Galaxy S24+. This helps prevent overheating during intense tasks, ensuring stable performance without slowdown.

Vivid Display

The Galaxy A36 features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 1080p+ resolution. It’s slightly larger than the A35 (by 0.1 inches), offering a more immersive viewing experience with vibrant colors and deep contrasts.

• Brightness: Up to 1,200 nits in High Brightness Mode and peaks at 1,900 nits, making outdoor use effortless even under bright sunlight.

Premium Durability

Samsung hasn’t cut corners on protection either. The Galaxy A36 is built to last, featuring:

• Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, reducing the risk of scratches and cracks.
• Polycarbonate Frame for a lightweight yet sturdy feel.
• IP67 Rating for dust and water resistance, so you don’t have to worry about rain, splashes, or dusty environments.

Stylish Color Options

The A36 is available in several eye-catching colors:

• Black
• Lime
• White
• Lavender

Except for the Black variant, the other colors feature a stunning Iridescent Effect that changes shades under different lighting, giving the phone a premium and stylish look.

Upgraded Camera System

Samsung has also refined the camera setup with a sleek Camera Island design, delivering a cleaner, more modern look.

• 50MP Main Camera (f/1.8, OIS): Sharp, detailed photos with reduced blur, even in low light.
• 8MP Ultra-Wide Camera (f/2.2): Perfect for capturing landscapes and group shots.
• 5MP Macro Camera (f/2.4): Ideal for close-up photography of small subjects like flowers and textures.

Selfie Camera:
A 12MP front camera ensures high-quality selfies and smooth video calls. Both front and rear cameras support HDR video recording (10-bit, up to 4K at 30fps) for rich, vibrant videos with true-to-life colors.

Long-Lasting Battery with Fast Charging

With its 5,000mAh battery, the Galaxy A36 is built to last all day, no matter how much you use it.

• Charging: Now upgraded to 45W fast charging (up from 25W).
  • 66% charge in just 30 minutes.
  • Full charge in approximately 68 minutes.
• Battery Life: Up to 29 hours of video playback, perfect for movie lovers and binge-watchers.

Latest Software with Smart AI Features

The Galaxy A36 runs on Android 15 with One UI 7, bringing a smooth, intuitive user experience along with new AI-powered tools to enhance your daily use.

Highlighted AI features include:

• Circle to Search: Instantly search anything on your screen just by circling it.
• Object Eraser: Remove unwanted objects from your photos with a single tap.
• Custom Image Filters: Create personalized filters to give your photos a unique look.

These AI enhancements make editing, searching, and customizing your phone experience easier than ever.

Final Thoughts

The Samsung Galaxy A36 is not just another mid-range phone — it’s a phone that delivers flagship-level features at an accessible price point. With a powerful Snapdragon chipset, durable design, advanced cameras, long-lasting battery, and smart AI tools, this phone is built for users who want reliable performance, stylish design, and long-term software support (with 6 years of OS updates promised!).

For anyone looking for a phone that can handle daily tasks, gaming, photography, and more — while staying protected and stylish — the Galaxy A36 is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Galaxy A26, a combination of the best features on a low budget

Samsung Galaxy A26 – Affordable Performance with Long-Term Support

For those who want a reliable Samsung smartphone with good features at a more affordable price, the Galaxy A26 could be the perfect fit. While it shares similarities with last year’s A35, it brings just the right balance of performance and value for everyday users who don’t want to compromise on essentials.

Chipset

Powering the Galaxy A26 is the Exynos 1380 chipset — the same processor found in the A35. While Samsung notes that the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in the A36 offers about 8% faster performance, the Exynos 1380 still holds up well for everyday tasks. If your usage is focused on social media, browsing, video streaming, and light multitasking, this chipset gets the job done smoothly without any issues.

Memory and Storage

The Galaxy A26 offers flexible memory configurations to fit your needs:

• RAM: 6GB or 8GB (varies by region), with 6GB being perfectly adequate for regular use.
• Storage: 128GB base model, with an upgrade option to 8GB RAM + 256GB storage for those needing extra space.

One of the standout features of the A26 is the MicroSD card slot, which is becoming rare in higher-tier models. This lets you expand your storage easily, giving you the freedom to store more apps, photos, and videos without worry.

And just like the A36, the A26 is also future-ready with 6 years of OS updates and security patches — exceptional support in this price range.

Display

The Galaxy A26 features a 6.7-inch OLED display with 1080p+ resolution, offering bright colors and excellent viewing angles. While it may not be as advanced as higher-end Samsung displays, it still provides a pleasant experience for watching videos, browsing, and gaming.

• Design Differences: The A26 uses a notch-style front camera, and instead of an under-display fingerprint sensor, it features a side-mounted fingerprint reader. Many users prefer this style for its speed and convenience without needing to glance at the screen.

Camera Setup

While the camera hardware is simpler than the A36, it still covers the basics well:

• 50MP Main Camera (OIS): Sharp, clear photos with the added benefit of Optical Image Stabilization to reduce blur.
• 8MP Ultra-Wide Camera: Great for capturing landscapes and group shots.
• 2MP Macro Camera: For those close-up detail shots of small objects.

For selfies, the Galaxy A26 uses a 13MP front camera, which captures good-quality photos, though it doesn’t support the HDR video features found on the A36. Still, for video calls and casual selfies, it gets the job done.

Build Quality

Samsung has slightly slimmed down the Galaxy A26, reducing its thickness to 7.7mm (down from 8.3mm), though the weight has increased slightly to 200g. The good news is it retains a premium feel and, more importantly, boasts an IP67 rating, giving you dust and water resistance for everyday protection.

Battery Life

The A26 is powered by a 5,000mAh battery, delivering reliable, all-day use on a single charge. Whether you’re streaming, browsing, or gaming, this battery has you covered.

However, charging is limited to 25W, which might feel a bit slow compared to the 45W fast charging on the A36. Still, for moderate users, it remains practical and dependable.

Pricing

One of the strongest selling points of the Galaxy A26 is its affordability:

• 128GB model: Approx. €300
• 256GB upgrade: Around €370 / £300 / $300

(Prices may vary by region.)

Final Thoughts

The Samsung Galaxy A26 is an excellent option for those looking for a reliable, feature-packed phone on a budget. With solid performance, a good camera setup, a vibrant OLED display, long battery life, and an impressive 6 years of software support, it brings exceptional value to the table.

If you’re after a phone that handles everyday tasks with ease, keeps your photos and videos safe, and stays updated for years, the Galaxy A26 is worth considering. For those wanting a bit more power, faster charging, and advanced camera features, stepping up to the Galaxy A36 might be the better choice.