Samsung Galaxy A36vsSamsung Galaxy A26
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
Samsung Galaxy A26 wins
Verdict
Samsung Galaxy A26 wins 3 of 5 categories — our overall pick
Samsung Galaxy A26 is the overall winner, 3 / 5 — price is its standout. At USD 249, it's also the most affordable of this group.
- Samsung Galaxy A26 takes Performance — led by performance score (700,000 pts).
- Samsung Galaxy A36 takes Display — led by peak brightness (1,200 nits).
- Samsung Galaxy A26 takes Camera — led by video score (87 pts).
- Samsung Galaxy A36 takes Battery — led by charging speed (45 W).
- Samsung Galaxy A26 takes Price — led by price (249 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Samsung Galaxy A36 if you want…
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A36 if you want a screen you can read in sunlight — 1,200 nits vs 1,000 nits.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A36 if you want a better camera — 116 pts vs 114 pts.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A36 if you want faster charging — 45 W vs 25 W.
Choose Samsung Galaxy A26 if you want…
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A26 if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 700,000 pts vs 620,000 pts.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A26 if you want sharper selfies — 13 MP vs 12 MP.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A26 if you want better video quality — 87 pts vs 82 pts.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A26 if you want a lower price — 249 USD vs 349 USD.
At a glance
- Samsung Galaxy A36
- Samsung Galaxy A26
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Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Peak brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video score
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera score
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
Samsung Galaxy A36
Choose Samsung Galaxy A36 if display matters most. It costs USD 349.
Samsung Galaxy A26
Choose Samsung Galaxy A26 if price matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 249, the lowest price in this group.
Pros & cons
Samsung Galaxy A36
- 45 W charging
- 6 years of updates
- Good value
- Mid-range chipset
- No telephoto
- Plastic frame
Samsung Galaxy A26
- 6 years of updates
- 120 Hz AMOLED
- Affordable
- Mid-range chipset
- 25 W charging
- Plastic build