Galaxy A36 Vs Galaxy S24

Galaxy A36
Galaxy A36
Starting at

Refurbished price:£206.00

Versus £369.00 new

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Galaxy S24
Galaxy S24
Starting at

Refurbished price:£271.00

Versus £817.67 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A36, released in 2025, and the Samsung Galaxy S24, launched in early 2024, are both Android smartphones from Samsung's diverse lineup. While the Galaxy S24 represents a flagship experience with advanced features and premium build, the Galaxy A36 offers a compelling set of capabilities aimed at a broader audience. The primary differentiators lie in their overall performance, camera systems, and long-term software support.

Scores

Durability

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, both offer substantial software support, though with different durations.

  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S24 is designed for extended use, promising seven generations of Android operating system upgrades and seven years of security updates from its 2024 release. This commitment ensures a prolonged period of new features and security patches. In contrast, the Galaxy A36, released in 2025, is set to receive six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates, offering robust support for a mid-range device.
  • Build Durability: The Galaxy S24 features an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, contributing to its resilience against drops and scratches. It also boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy A36 comes with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and a durable glass back, along with an IP67 rating, providing good protection against dust and water immersion.
  • Repairability: While specific repairability scores can vary, both devices are manufactured by Samsung, suggesting a similar ecosystem for parts and service availability. The newer release of the Galaxy S24 and its longer support window might imply a slightly longer period for official repair options.

Year of Release

2025

2024

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy A36 and Galaxy S24 cater to different user demands, primarily influenced by their internal components.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy S24 delivers a highly responsive experience, handling demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphic-heavy games with exceptional smoothness. Users can expect quick app loading and seamless transitions. The Galaxy A36 provides a capable experience for daily tasks, social media, and casual gaming, with users reporting snappy performance for general use.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S24 typically offers configurations with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, supporting extensive multitasking without slowdowns, alongside storage options up to 512GB. The Galaxy A36 is available with 6GB, 8GB, or 12GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, which is ample for most users' applications and media.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S24 is equipped with a 4000mAh battery, which users generally find sufficient for a full day of moderate to heavy use. The Galaxy A36 features a larger 5000mAh battery, often allowing for extended usage, with some users reporting up to a day and a half on a single charge under regular conditions.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

Both smartphones offer vibrant displays, but the Galaxy S24 incorporates more advanced display technology for an enhanced visual experience.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S24 features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its exceptional color accuracy, deep blacks, and high contrast, providing a crisp FHD+ resolution. The Galaxy A36 comes with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, also offering vibrant colors and good clarity at an FHD+ resolution, making it suitable for media consumption.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S24 boasts a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, and an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate for incredibly smooth scrolling and animations. The Galaxy A36 offers a 120Hz refresh rate for fluid visuals and a peak brightness of 1900 nits, which is bright enough for comfortable outdoor use.
  • Viewing Experience: The slightly larger screen of the Galaxy A36 provides an expansive canvas for content, while the Galaxy S24's more compact size and higher peak brightness make it particularly well-suited for outdoor viewing and a premium visual experience.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2340

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy A36 and Galaxy S24 are designed to capture different levels of detail and versatility.

  • Rear Camera Capabilities: The Galaxy S24 features a versatile triple camera setup with a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 10MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. This configuration allows for detailed shots across various focal lengths. The Galaxy A36 also has a triple rear camera system, including a 50MP main sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens, providing good versatility for everyday photography.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S24 excels in various lighting conditions, producing detailed and vibrant images, with its optical zoom being a notable advantage for capturing distant subjects. While the Galaxy A36 captures good photos in daylight with natural tones, its low-light performance can sometimes result in blurrier or noisier images.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording at 30 frames per second with their main cameras. The Galaxy S24 can also record up to 8K at 30fps. For selfies, both phones feature a 12MP front camera, capable of capturing clear self-portraits.

Front camera

12

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core specifications, several practical elements differentiate the user experience of these two Samsung smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy S24 offers more advanced Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 6E/7) and USB 3.2 for faster data transfer through its USB-C port. The Galaxy A36 supports Wi-Fi 6 and uses a USB 2.0 standard for its USB-C port. Both feature Bluetooth for wireless accessories.
  • Biometrics and Design: The Galaxy S24 incorporates an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for secure and quick unlocking, alongside face recognition. Its design features an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, contributing to a premium feel and robust build. The Galaxy A36 uses an optical in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock, with a design that includes a durable glass back and Gorilla Glass Victus+ front.
  • Physical Characteristics: The Galaxy S24 is a more compact device, weighing 168 grams and measuring 147 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm, making it comfortable for one-handed use. The Galaxy A36 is larger and slightly heavier at 195 grams, with dimensions of 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm, offering a more expansive screen experience.

Weight

195 g

167 g

Screen size (in)

6,74

6.2

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy A36 and Galaxy S24 cater to distinct user needs, each excelling in different areas. User feedback for the Galaxy S24 often praises its powerful performance, vibrant and bright display, and the long-term software support commitment. Some users, however, have noted that its battery life, while generally good, might require more frequent charging for very heavy use, and some find its camera performance in low light to be inconsistent. The Galaxy A36 is frequently lauded for its impressive battery life, large and colorful display, and solid performance for everyday tasks. Criticisms sometimes point to its camera's low-light capabilities and the absence of a telephoto lens.

Users prioritizing a compact form factor, top-tier processing power for demanding applications, and the longest possible software support will find the Galaxy S24 well-suited to their needs. Its advanced camera system with optical zoom also appeals to those who value photography versatility. Conversely, users who prioritize extended battery life, a larger display for media consumption, and a capable device for general use will likely lean toward the Galaxy A36. It offers a strong balance of features for its segment, making it a practical choice for many. Both devices represent quality options within the Samsung ecosystem, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new, allowing for informed and sustainable choices.

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