Galaxy A36 Vs Google Pixel 7

Galaxy A36
Galaxy A36
Starting at

Refurbished price:£206.00

Versus £369.00 new

See options
Google Pixel 7
Google Pixel 7
Starting at

Refurbished price:£140.99

Versus £649.99 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A36 (2025) and the Google Pixel 7 (2022) are distinct Android smartphones, each offering a unique set of features tailored to different user preferences. While the Galaxy A36 is a more recent release from Samsung's mid-range lineup, the Pixel 7 represents Google's flagship offering from a few years prior. The primary differentiators between these two devices lie in their release timelines, software support policies, and their respective approaches to camera technology and overall performance.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its build quality, software support, and ease of repair. Both devices offer robust construction, but their release timelines significantly impact their expected practical lifespan.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy A36 was released in March 2025, making it a newer device compared to the Google Pixel 7, which launched in October 2022. This difference in age directly affects how long each device will continue to receive official support.
  • OS Support Duration: The Galaxy A36 is set to receive six generations of Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates, starting with Android 15. The Google Pixel 7, having launched with Android 13, is guaranteed five years of OS and security updates from its release date, extending its support until at least October 2027. This means the Galaxy A36 will benefit from a longer period of software updates.
  • Durability Features: The Galaxy A36 features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both its front and back, coupled with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Pixel 7 also uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for display protection and has an IP68 rating, indicating a slightly higher level of water and dust resistance.

Year of Release

2025

2022

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance in a smartphone is not solely about raw processing power but how smoothly the device handles daily tasks, demanding applications, and multitasking. Both the Galaxy A36 and Pixel 7 are designed to offer a responsive user experience, though they achieve this through different hardware and software optimizations.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy A36 is powered by a current-generation processor, which enables it to handle everyday tasks, social media browsing, and light gaming smoothly. The Pixel 7, featuring its custom-designed processor, also delivers a smooth and fast experience for daily usage and app switching.
  • Demanding Applications and Gaming: For more intensive use, the Galaxy A36's processor, combined with a larger vapor chamber for heat management, allows for smoother gameplay on medium settings for resource-intensive games. The Pixel 7's processor is optimized for machine learning and artificial intelligence features, which contributes to its overall fluid performance, though it may experience some heating during extended heavy gaming sessions.
  • Memory and Storage: The Galaxy A36 offers various configurations, including up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, without expandable storage. The Pixel 7 comes with 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, also without expandable storage.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer vibrant viewing experiences, differing in size, refresh rate, and peak brightness.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy A36 features a larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Google Pixel 7 has a slightly more compact 6.3-inch OLED display, also known for its rich colors and true blacks.
  • Refresh Rate and Brightness: The Galaxy A36 offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations, along with a high brightness of 1200 nits in High Brightness Mode and up to 1900 nits peak brightness, ensuring good visibility outdoors. The Pixel 7 features a 90Hz refresh rate for a fluid experience and reaches up to 1000 nits in High Brightness Mode and 1400 nits peak brightness.
  • Resolution and Clarity: Both devices offer Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels for the A36 and 1080 x 2400 pixels for the Pixel 7), providing sharp and clear visuals for everyday viewing.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2400

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many users, and both the Galaxy A36 and Pixel 7 offer compelling photography and videography features, albeit with different strengths.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy A36 is equipped with a triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The Pixel 7 features a dual-camera system with a 50MP main sensor (OIS) and a 12MP ultrawide lens.
  • Photography Performance: The Pixel 7 is renowned for its computational photography, offering features like Photo Unblur, Magic Eraser, and Motion Mode, which enhance image quality and provide creative editing options. The Galaxy A36 also includes features like Object Eraser and various filters. For close-up shots, the A36 has a dedicated macro lens, while the Pixel 7 utilizes its ultrawide lens for Macro Focus.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording at 30 frames per second (fps), with the Pixel 7 also offering 4K at 60fps. The Galaxy A36 has a 12MP front camera with Video HDR, while the Pixel 7 features a 10.8MP front camera.

Front camera

12

10.8 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience, including connectivity, physical design, and security features.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both smartphones support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy A36 supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, while the Pixel 7 supports Bluetooth 5.2. Both devices feature a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer, but neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The Galaxy A36 measures 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm and weighs 195g, featuring a glass front and back with a plastic frame. The Pixel 7 is slightly more compact at 155.6 x 73.2 x 8.7 mm and weighs 197g, with a glass front and back and an aluminum frame. The A36 is noted for being slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, contributing to comfortable in-hand ergonomics.
  • Security and Other Features: Both devices incorporate an in-display optical fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The Galaxy A36 includes Samsung Knox Vault for enhanced data security. The Pixel 7's processor is designed with a strong focus on AI, which powers many of its unique software features.

Weight

195 g

197 g

Screen size (in)

6,74

6.3

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy A36 and Google Pixel 7 cater to users with differing priorities. The Galaxy A36, being a newer device, offers a longer software support window and a larger, brighter display with a higher refresh rate, making it appealing to users who prioritize extended longevity and a more immersive visual experience. Its larger battery and faster charging capabilities also make it a strong contender for those who need their device to last through heavy use.

Conversely, the Google Pixel 7, while older, stands out with its advanced computational photography features and a processor optimized for artificial intelligence, delivering a unique and intelligent user experience. Users who value exceptional camera performance, particularly in challenging conditions, and appreciate Google's clean Android experience with timely updates, may find the Pixel 7 more aligned with their needs. Its more compact form factor might also appeal to those who prefer a smaller device.

Ultimately, the choice between these two depends on whether a user prioritizes the extended software support and display characteristics of a newer mid-range device like the Galaxy A36, or the refined camera capabilities and AI-driven features of a slightly older flagship like the Pixel 7. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing a sustainable choice for consumers.

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