Galaxy A36 Vs Galaxy S23

The Samsung Galaxy A36, released in March 2025, and the Samsung Galaxy S23, launched in February 2023, represent different segments of Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, the A36 is positioned as a feature-rich mid-range device, whereas the S23 was a flagship model at its release. The primary distinctions lie in their processing power, camera capabilities, and overall build, catering to varying user priorities.

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, factors like software support, physical durability, and ease of repair are important. The Galaxy A36, being a newer device, benefits from an extended software support timeline compared to the Galaxy S23.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy A36 launched with Android 15 and is promised to receive up to six major Android operating system upgrades and six years of security patches, offering a longer period of official software support. The Galaxy S23, released with Android 13, was promised four years of OS updates and five years of security updates, with support expected to conclude around 2028.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy A36 features Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its display and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. The Galaxy S23 offers a slightly higher level of protection with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, and an IP68 rating, allowing for immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.
• Repairability: The Galaxy A36 has a repairability score of 8.4 out of 10, indicating a relatively straightforward repair process for common components like the battery and screen, despite the use of strong adhesives. The Galaxy S23 also demonstrates good repairability, with features like pull tabs for easier battery replacement and internal labels to guide reassembly, receiving scores around 8.2 to 9 out of 10 in various assessments.

The performance of these two devices reflects their different market positions, with the Galaxy S23 offering a more robust experience for demanding tasks due to its flagship-tier internal components.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 is equipped with a high-end processor designed for intensive applications, complex multitasking, and graphically demanding games, ensuring a consistently smooth and responsive user experience. The Galaxy A36, while capable for everyday use, features a mid-range processor that handles common apps, web browsing, and light gaming effectively, though some users have reported occasional lag with heavy multitasking or demanding applications.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: With its more powerful internal architecture, the Galaxy S23 excels at switching between multiple applications quickly and maintaining performance under heavy loads. The Galaxy A36 provides adequate responsiveness for typical daily usage, but may show signs of slowing down when many apps are open simultaneously or during prolonged intensive use.
• Battery Performance: The Galaxy A36 houses a larger 5000mAh battery, which, combined with its more power-efficient processor, generally translates to extended usage times and often lasts a full day or more for many users. The Galaxy S23 has a 3900mAh battery, which users typically find sufficient for a full day of moderate use, though heavy users might need to recharge before the day ends. The A36 also supports faster 45W charging compared to the S23's 25W.

Both the Galaxy A36 and Galaxy S23 offer vibrant displays, but the S23, as a former flagship, provides a more refined visual experience with higher peak brightness and advanced display technology.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both phones feature Super AMOLED or Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with Full HD+ resolution (2340x1080 pixels), providing sharp images and rich colors. The Galaxy S23's Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel typically offers deeper blacks and more precise color reproduction, enhancing the viewing experience for high-quality content.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy S23 boasts a higher peak brightness of up to 1750 nits, making it exceptionally readable even in direct sunlight. The Galaxy A36's display is also bright and clear, with Samsung claiming it is 20% brighter than its predecessor, offering good visibility in various lighting conditions.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate, which contributes to smoother scrolling, more fluid animations, and a more responsive feel during interactions and gaming.
• Screen Size: The Galaxy A36 offers a larger 6.7-inch display, providing a more expansive viewing area for media consumption and productivity. The Galaxy S23 has a more compact 6.1-inch screen, which some users prefer for easier one-handed use and portability.

The camera systems on the Galaxy A36 and Galaxy S23 cater to different levels of photographic expectation, with the S23 offering a more versatile and higher-quality imaging experience.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S23 features a triple camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens, providing optical zoom capabilities and generally superior image processing. The Galaxy A36 also has a triple camera system, including a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens, which is capable of capturing good photos in well-lit conditions.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S23 generally delivers sharper images with better detail, dynamic range, and color accuracy across various lighting conditions, including improved low-light performance. The Galaxy A36 performs well in adequate lighting, but some users have noted that its low-light camera performance can be less impressive.
• Video Recording: The Galaxy S23 offers excellent video recording quality, features, and stabilization, making it suitable for capturing high-quality footage. The Galaxy A36 supports 4K video recording at 30fps and 10-bit HDR, providing good video capabilities for its segment.
• Front Camera: Both devices are equipped with a 12MP front-facing camera, suitable for selfies and video calls. The S23's front camera often benefits from more advanced image processing, leading to slightly better results.