Galaxy A15 5G Vs Galaxy A36

Galaxy A15 5G
Galaxy A15 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£99.00

Versus £212.30 new

See options
Galaxy A36
Galaxy A36
Starting at

Refurbished price:£206.00

Versus £369.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G, released in late 2023, and the Samsung Galaxy A36, a successor model expected in 2025, are both Android-based smartphones within Samsung's popular A-series. While sharing the core Android operating system and Samsung's One UI, the A36 builds upon the foundation of its predecessors with enhancements in design, durability, and overall capabilities, offering a more refined experience compared to the A15 5G's focus on essential features.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key differentiators.

  • Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy A15 5G was released in December 2023, launching with Android 14 and One UI 6. It is slated to receive four major OS upgrades and five years of security updates, extending its support until approximately 2028 for OS and 2029 for security patches. The Galaxy A36, as a newer model expected in 2025, would likely launch with a more recent Android version, such as Android 15, and benefit from a similar four years of OS updates and five years of security updates, pushing its practical software lifespan further into the future.
  • Build Materials and Durability Features: The Galaxy A15 5G features a plastic frame and back, with a glass front protected by Dragontrail Pro glass. It does not have an official IP rating for dust and water resistance, meaning users should exercise caution around liquids. In contrast, the Galaxy A36, following the design of its predecessor, is expected to offer a more robust build with a glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, a plastic frame, and a glass back. It is also anticipated to carry an IP67 rating, providing significant resistance against dust and water immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
  • Expected Practical Lifespan: Both devices benefit from Samsung's commitment to extended software support, ensuring they remain functional and secure for several years. The A36, being a newer model, inherently offers a longer runway for software updates and potentially more advanced hardware that could handle future applications more efficiently, contributing to a longer practical lifespan for users who prioritize the latest features and enhanced protection.

Year of Release

2023

2025

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy A36 reflect their respective positions within the A-series lineup, with the A36 offering a more capable experience for demanding tasks.

  • Processor Capabilities and Responsiveness: The Galaxy A15 5G is equipped with a processor that handles everyday tasks like web browsing, social media, and media playback competently. Users may experience some lag when multitasking or loading more demanding applications. The Galaxy A36, building on the performance of its predecessor, is expected to feature a more advanced processor. This would translate to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more fluid experience even with graphically intensive games or complex applications.
  • Memory and Storage Options: The Galaxy A15 5G is available with various RAM configurations, including 4GB, 6GB, and 8GB, and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, expandable via microSD card. The Galaxy A36 is likely to offer similar or higher base RAM configurations, such as 6GB or 8GB, and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, also with microSD expansion, providing ample space for apps and media.
  • Battery Behavior: Both smartphones are equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, supporting 25W wired fast charging. The Galaxy A15 5G is noted for its excellent battery life, often lasting a full day and into a second day with moderate to heavy use. The Galaxy A36 is also expected to deliver strong battery performance, benefiting from a similar large capacity and potentially more efficient components, ensuring extended usage between charges.

Memory (GB)

4 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both devices is driven by Super AMOLED technology, though the Galaxy A36 offers enhancements in smoothness and outdoor visibility.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: Both the Galaxy A15 5G and the Galaxy A36 feature Super AMOLED displays with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. This display type offers a clear and immersive viewing experience for various content.
  • Refresh Rate and Brightness: The Galaxy A15 5G has a 6.5-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 800 nits. This ensures smooth scrolling and good visibility indoors. The Galaxy A36, with its 6.6-inch display, steps up to a 120Hz refresh rate, offering an even smoother visual experience, particularly noticeable during scrolling and gaming. It also boasts a higher peak brightness of 1000 nits, enhanced by Vision Booster technology, which significantly improves outdoor visibility, even in direct sunlight.
  • Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy A15 5G features a 6.5-inch display, while the Galaxy A36 offers a slightly larger 6.6-inch screen. Both provide ample screen real estate for media consumption and daily tasks, but the A36's larger size, higher refresh rate, and increased brightness contribute to a more premium and comfortable viewing experience, especially for users who spend a lot of time outdoors or consuming dynamic content.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2340

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer versatile camera systems, with the Galaxy A36 providing more advanced features for photography and videography.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A15 5G features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 5MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. The main camera performs well in good lighting conditions, producing images with good detail and color balance. The ultrawide and macro lenses are functional but offer less detail. The Galaxy A36 also comes with a triple-camera system, including a 50MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The inclusion of OIS on the main sensor significantly improves low-light performance and video stability.
  • Low-Light and Everyday Photography: While the A15 5G can capture decent photos in well-lit environments, its low-light performance is more limited. The A36, with its OIS-equipped main camera and potentially improved image processing, is expected to deliver better results in challenging lighting conditions, capturing more detail and reducing blur.
  • Video Recording Quality: The Galaxy A15 5G records video at 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second (fps). The Galaxy A36 elevates video capabilities by supporting 4K video recording at 30fps, along with improved stabilization, offering higher resolution and more professional-looking footage.
  • Front Camera: Both devices feature a 13MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. The A36's front camera may benefit from enhanced software processing for clearer and more detailed self-portraits.

Front camera

13 megapixels

12

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements distinguish the user experience of these two smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy A15 5G and A36 support 5G connectivity, ensuring access to faster mobile networks. The A15 5G includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and uses USB-C 2.0. The A36, following its predecessor, is likely to omit the 3.5mm headphone jack, relying on USB-C 2.0 for charging and data transfer. Both support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for wireless connections. The A36 is expected to support Wi-Fi 6, offering faster and more stable wireless internet compared to the A15 5G's Wi-Fi 5.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy A15 5G features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button for secure unlocking. The Galaxy A36 is anticipated to utilize an under-display optical fingerprint sensor, offering a more integrated and modern aesthetic. Both devices also support face recognition for convenient unlocking.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The Galaxy A15 5G has dimensions of 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm and weighs 200g, featuring a plastic build. The Galaxy A36 is slightly larger and heavier, with dimensions of 161.7 x 78.0 x 8.2 mm and a weight of 209g. Its design incorporates a glass front and back, contributing to a more premium feel in hand compared to the A15 5G's plastic construction.
  • Other Features: Both phones offer expandable storage via a microSD card slot. The A36 is also expected to include stereo speakers, providing a more immersive audio experience for media consumption than the A15 5G's single speaker.

Weight

200 g

195 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6,74

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G and Galaxy A36 cater to different user priorities within the mid-range smartphone segment. The Galaxy A15 5G is frequently praised for its solid battery life, vibrant Super AMOLED display, and Samsung's commitment to software updates, making it a reliable choice for users seeking essential smartphone functions without advanced features. However, some users note its performance can be sluggish with demanding applications and its build lacks an official IP rating.

The Galaxy A36, as a newer iteration, is expected to address some of these points, offering a more refined experience. Users are likely to appreciate its enhanced durability with an IP67 rating and Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection, a smoother 120Hz display with higher brightness, and a more capable processor for improved overall performance. Its camera system, with OIS and 4K video recording, also presents a notable upgrade for photography and videography enthusiasts. Criticisms for the A36 might center on its slightly larger size and the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature still present on the A15 5G.

Users prioritizing a robust and future-proof device with better camera capabilities, a smoother display, and enhanced water and dust resistance may prefer the Galaxy A36. Its expected performance improvements make it suitable for those who frequently multitask or engage in mobile gaming. Conversely, users who value a more budget-conscious option with excellent battery life, a headphone jack, and sufficient performance for everyday tasks will find the Galaxy A15 5G well-suited to their needs. Both models, especially when considering quality-assured refurbished options, represent eco-friendly alternatives for making informed and sustainable choices in smartphone ownership.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons