iQOO 12 vs Samsung Galaxy A36
The Verdict
iQOO 12 and Galaxy A36 serve different market segments with distinct strengths. iQOO 12 dominates performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 144Hz LTPO AMOLED display at 3000 nits, and superior camera hardware including a 64MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom and 8K video recording. Its 120W charging and up to 16GB RAM ensure flagship-level multitasking. Galaxy A36 prioritizes durability and practicality with IP67 rating, more conservative but reliable Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, and adequate 120Hz Super AMOLED display. At $299 versus $529, Galaxy A36 offers exceptional value for everyday users seeking dependable performance and water resistance. iQOO 12 justifies its premium for those demanding flagship processing, superior display technology, and advanced camera capabilities. For budget-conscious buyers, Galaxy A36 delivers solid midrange performance. For enthusiasts wanting cutting-edge specs, iQOO 12 is the clear choice.
Who Should Buy
Buy the iQOO 12 if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- →144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- →120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A36 if…
- →Six generations of OS updates for under $300
- →IP67 water resistance is outstanding at this price point
- →120Hz Super AMOLED display looks premium
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
iQOO 12
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- 144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- 120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
- 64 MP 3x telephoto periscope zoom is excellent for the price
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for future-proof connectivity
Cons
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance
- No wireless charging despite flagship-level pricing
- Limited global availability and after-sales network
- 13 MP ultrawide is a weak point in the camera system
- OriginOS/Funtouch is heavily skinned
Samsung Galaxy A36
Pros
- Six generations of OS updates for under $300
- IP67 water resistance is outstanding at this price point
- 120Hz Super AMOLED display looks premium
- 5G connectivity and NFC at budget pricing
- Reliable 50MP main camera with OIS for steady shots
Cons
- Slow 25W charging feels dated in 2025
- Only 6 GB RAM on the base model
- Ultrawide camera is mediocre at 8MP
- Plastic build doesn't feel as solid as glass-backed rivals
Full Specifications
| Spec | iQOO 12 | Samsung Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (Funtouch OS 14 / OriginOS 4) | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 202 g | 195 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Plastic frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| IP rating | None | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm | 162.1 x 77.0 x 8.1 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX920 | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.45 | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 64 MP, f/2.57, 3x optical zoom, OIS | 5 MP, f/2.4, macro |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.2, 123-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB / 16 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 120W FlashCharge | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.78 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1260 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 3000 | 1800 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz + 3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Adreno 710 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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