Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A36

Our Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy A36 has the better camera on paper, 50MP versus 12MP, and there's more battery in the A36, 5000mAh to 2815mAh, though iOS and Android manage power differently, so more mAh doesn't always mean longer battery life. The A36 has the bigger screen at 6.7" against 6.1", while the Apple iPhone 12 Pro has the sharper one at 457 PPI, and the iPhone 12 Pro offers up to 512GB of storage versus 256GB on the A36. Only pay up for the A36 if you'll use what it offers; if not, the iPhone 12 Pro makes more sense.

Buying outright, the iPhone 12 Pro starts at £180 SIM-free.

Expert Rating
4.3
19 reviews
3.4
10 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
457 385
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery
2,815 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
iOS 14.1 Android 15
SIM Type
Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm
Weight
189 grams 195 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts
- £13.79/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£179.99 £264.99

Prices updated 27 July 2026

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Apple iPhone 12 Pro Samsung Galaxy A36 Samsung Galaxy A36
Expert Rating 4.3
19 reviews
3.4
10 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 457 385
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery 2,815 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS iOS 14.1 Android 15
SIM Type Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm
Weight 189 grams 195 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts - £13.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £179.99 £264.99
Prices updated 27 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 12 Pro
Apple iPhone 12 Pro

128GB

Graphite

Refurbished

From £179.99

Samsung Galaxy A36
Samsung Galaxy A36

24 Months

128GB

Awesome Black

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£13.79 per month, £29 upfront.

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Samsung Galaxy A36 has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 12 Pro's 6.1", the Apple iPhone 12 Pro has the sharper display at 457 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone 12 Pro uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy A36 has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy A36 has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £179.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 12 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy A36 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 12 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A36 use?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A36 uses the Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is the more portable of the two: it's 6g lighter at 189 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy A36 is rated IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 12 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A36 run?

The Apple iPhone 12 Pro runs iOS 14.1 and the Samsung Galaxy A36 runs Android 15. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.