Galaxy A36 Vs Galaxy A54

The Samsung Galaxy A36 (released in March 2025) and the Samsung Galaxy A54 (released in March 2023) are both mid-range smartphones from Samsung's popular A-series. While they share a similar design philosophy and run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, the A36 is a newer model that brings updates in processing power, display technology, and software support. The A54, though older, remains a capable device with a strong feature set.

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, software support and physical durability are key factors. The Galaxy A36, being the newer device, offers a longer projected lifespan in terms of software updates.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy A36 is set to receive six major Android operating system upgrades and up to seven years of security patches from its release date. In contrast, the Galaxy A54 was promised four generations of Android OS updates and five years of security patches. This means the A36 will benefit from newer features and security enhancements for a significantly longer period. [2, 7, 16, 17, 32, 33, 37, 40, 43]
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, providing protection against immersion in up to 1 meter of fresh water for 30 minutes. The Galaxy A36 uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ for its front and back, offering enhanced scratch and drop resistance. The Galaxy A54, while also durable, features Gorilla Glass 5 on its front and back. [2, 3, 17, 25, 28, 38, 39, 40]
• Repairability: The Galaxy A36 has a repairability score of 7.0 out of 10, with accessible battery cables and screen components, though strong adhesive is used for the back cover and battery. The Galaxy A54 has a repairability score of 6.25 out of 10, also noted for using adhesive but with accessible battery and screen components. Both are considered reasonably repairable, which can extend their practical lifespan. [5, 9, 13, 14, 21, 24, 27, 29, 34]

The performance of these devices is influenced by their internal components, affecting how smoothly apps run and how efficiently they handle demanding tasks. The Galaxy A36 features a newer processor, which generally translates to improved responsiveness.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy A36 is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, which provides a responsive experience for everyday applications and multitasking. The Galaxy A54 is powered by Samsung's Exynos 1380 chipset. Benchmarking comparisons suggest the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in the A36 offers faster single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Exynos 1380 in the A54. [2, 3, 22, 26, 36, 40, 44]
• Multitasking and Storage: Both models offer configurations with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, with the A36 also having a 12GB RAM option, allowing for smooth app switching and handling multiple applications simultaneously. The Galaxy A54 supports expandable storage up to 1TB via a microSD card, providing ample space for media and files. The Galaxy A36 typically comes with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, but some sources indicate it does not support expandable storage. [2, 3, 17, 22, 25, 30, 39, 42]
• Battery Behavior: Both devices house a 5000mAh battery, designed to provide extended usage. The Galaxy A36 supports 45W fast charging, allowing for quicker recharges, while the Galaxy A54 supports 25W fast charging. Users of the A36 report routinely achieving a full day of moderate to heavy use, sometimes with over 50% charge remaining. The A54's battery can last up to 1.5 days for light users, though heavy usage or video calls may lead to more frequent charging and some reports of overheating. [2, 3, 8, 12, 17, 20, 23, 25, 31, 36, 38, 39, 40]

The visual experience on a smartphone is largely defined by its display, with differences in technology, size, and brightness impacting daily use.

• Display Technology and Size: Both the Galaxy A36 and A54 feature Super AMOLED displays, known for their vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy A36 offers a slightly larger 6.7-inch screen, providing a more expansive viewing area, while the Galaxy A54 has a 6.4-inch display. Both displays have an FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), ensuring clear and detailed visuals. [2, 3, 17, 25, 26, 28, 30, 36, 39, 40, 42]
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both phones feature a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The Galaxy A36 boasts a higher peak brightness of 1200 nits (with sections reaching 1900 nits for HDR content), which can improve visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The Galaxy A54 also offers good brightness, suitable for various lighting environments. [2, 3, 12, 17, 26, 28, 30, 39, 40]
• Screen Protection: The Galaxy A36 is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, offering a higher level of resistance against scratches and drops. The Galaxy A54 uses Gorilla Glass 5 for screen protection. [2, 3, 28, 30, 38, 40]

The camera systems on both the Galaxy A36 and A54 are designed to capture a range of photos and videos, with some distinctions in their capabilities and user experience.

• Rear Camera System: Both devices feature a triple rear camera setup. The Galaxy A36 includes a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The Galaxy A54 also has a 50MP main sensor (with Optical Image Stabilization - OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The A54's main camera benefits from OIS, which can help reduce blur in photos and videos, especially in lower light. [3, 4, 8, 10, 15, 20, 23, 25, 26, 29, 30, 39, 40, 42]
• Photography Performance: The main cameras on both phones are capable of producing good quality images in well-lit conditions. The Galaxy A54's main camera is praised for good color reproduction and automatic HDR, with the ultrawide being decent. The Galaxy A36's main camera also offers solid quality, though some users note inconsistent exposure and color rendition, with a tendency for oversaturated colors. Low-light performance on the A36's camera can be weak. The macro lenses on both are generally considered less impactful than the main or ultrawide cameras. [4, 10, 20, 23, 28, 38]
• Video and Audio: Both the Galaxy A36 and A54 are capable of recording 4K video at 30 frames per second with their main cameras. The A36's ultrawide camera is limited to 1080p video. The A54's video recording is generally stable, though selfie video can be shaky at 4K. Both devices offer stereo speakers for media consumption. [8, 23, 31, 39]