Samsung Galaxy A36 vs Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy A36 delivers impressive value at $299, featuring a vibrant 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh, capable Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, and a substantial 5000 mAh battery supporting 25W charging. Its 50MP main camera with OIS and 4K video recording handle everyday photography well. However, the Galaxy S23+ commands premium positioning at $999 with the superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, faster 45W wired and 15W wireless charging, more versatile camera system featuring 8K video and 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, plus 8GB RAM and up to 512GB storage. Build quality favors the S23+ with Armor Aluminum versus plastic framing. For budget-conscious buyers seeking solid performance and display quality, the A36 offers exceptional value. Conversely, power users prioritizing camera capabilities, processing speed, and premium build should invest in the S23+.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23+ if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- →Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- →4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Samsung Galaxy S23+
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- 4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
- Four years of OS updates and five years of security patches
- Versatile triple camera with 3x optical zoom
Cons
- Only 8 GB RAM at the $999 price point
- FHD+ resolution instead of QHD+ on the 6.6-inch display
- 45W charging is slower than Chinese competitors
- No expandable storage or microSD slot
- Design is very similar to S22+ with minimal visual changes
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy A36 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 15 (One UI 7) | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 195 g | 195 g |
| Material | Plastic frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 77.0 x 8.1 mm | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 13 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 5 MP, f/2.4, macro | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP, f/2.2, 123-degree | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | — | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.6 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1800 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| 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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