Samsung Galaxy A36 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

The 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display is the A36's strongest feature. Samsung's AMOLED expertise trickles down effectively here, delivering punchy colors and smooth scrolling that outclass most budget competitors.

• Super AMOLED display delivers rich, vibrant colors that punch well above the $299 price point
• 120Hz refresh rate makes the UI feel smoother than the processor sometimes allows
• FHD+ resolution is sharp enough for the screen size — text and images look crisp

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display is one of the S25 FE's strongest features. Samsung's display expertise shines here, delivering flagship-quality visuals at a mid-range price.

• The FHD+ AMOLED display is vibrant, sharp, and smooth at 120Hz — hard to fault for $649
• Peak brightness is sufficient for outdoor use, though not as high as the mainline S25 series
• HDR content looks excellent — the display punches well above its price bracket for media consumption

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

This is where the A36 5G struggles most. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 handles basic tasks adequately but shows its limitations quickly. App switching can be laggy, and gaming is essentially off the table for demanding titles.

• Basic tasks like messaging, social media, and web browsing work fine, if not lightning fast
• Performance gets the job done, but only just — don't expect snappy multitasking
• Gaming on this phone is frustrating — even moderate titles experience stuttering and frame drops
• One UI 7 runs but feels heavy on this hardware — a lighter skin would help significantly

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The Exynos 2400 is the S25 FE's most divisive aspect. While it handles everyday tasks fine, it noticeably lags behind the Snapdragon 8 Elite found in the regular S25 lineup, particularly in gaming and sustained workloads.

• Everyday performance is smooth enough for most users — social media, messaging, and web browsing are fine
• Exynos 2400 struggles to keep up with Snapdragon 8 Elite in demanding tasks and gaming
• Galaxy AI features work well, bringing the same AI capabilities as the more expensive S25 models
• One UI 7 runs adequately but occasional stutters hint at the processor's limitations

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

The camera system is adequate for social media and casual snaps but won't win any photography awards. The 50MP main sensor produces decent results in good lighting but struggles in low light.

• In good lighting, the main camera produces passable photos for social media sharing
• Night photography is a weakness — photos come out noisy and lacking detail
• Ultrawide lens is included but quality is noticeably below the main sensor
• Video recording is limited to 4K30 and stabilization is mediocre at best

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The triple camera system with a 50MP main sensor produces good results in ideal conditions, but the processing and low-light performance don't match the mainline S25 series.

• 50MP main sensor captures pleasing photos in good light with accurate colors
• Night mode results are noticeably softer and noisier than the S25's camera output
• The 8MP telephoto offers 3x optical zoom which is useful but image quality drops off quickly
• Video recording at 4K is available but stabilization isn't as smooth as flagship competitors

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

Battery life is one of the A36's genuine strengths. The 5,000mAh battery combined with the efficient (if slow) processor means the phone easily lasts a full day and often stretches into day two.

• Excellent battery life — the combination of efficient chip and large battery means consistent two-day endurance for light users
• Even heavy users will get through a full day without anxiety
• 25W charging is painfully slow by 2025 standards — a full charge takes well over an hour

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

The 4,500mAh battery provides solid all-day endurance. The less power-hungry Exynos 2400 chip actually helps battery life compared to the more powerful Snapdragon alternative.

• Battery comfortably lasts through a full day of moderate use — a strong point for the FE
• The Exynos 2400's lower power draw actually benefits battery life compared to Snapdragon devices
• 25W wired charging is adequate but increasingly dated compared to competitors
• 15W wireless charging is included, which is a nice-to-have at this price

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

At $299, the A36 5G is competing in one of the most crowded smartphone segments. Its design and display stand out, but the sluggish performance and mediocre cameras make it a tough sell against alternatives.

• The most balanced Samsung mid-ranger — no single feature is terrible, even if none is outstanding
• A good-looking phone that falls flat where it matters most — performance and cameras
• Samsung's update commitment gives it a longevity advantage over budget Chinese alternatives
• The Pixel 7a at similar or lower sale prices offers a significantly better camera experience

Samsung Galaxy S25 FE

At $649, the S25 FE faces intense competition from both Samsung's own discounted flagships and rivals like the Pixel 9a and iPhone SE 4. The value proposition depends heavily on how much weight you give to Samsung's ecosystem and update commitment.

• At $649, it undercuts the S25 by $150 but the compromises may not be worth the savings
• Samsung's 6-year update commitment and Galaxy AI features add genuine value at this price
• The Pixel 9a offers a significantly better camera at a lower price, making it a tough competitor
• Wait for a sale on the regular S25 — the price gap often closes to $50-100, making the FE hard to justify