Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A36

Our verdict: Over a typical contract, expect to pay £612.16 less with the Samsung Galaxy A36 than the Apple iPhone 16 Pro. It depends what you value in a screen — the Samsung Galaxy A36 offers 6.7" but the Apple iPhone 16 Pro counters with 458 PPI. If the camera matters most, the Samsung Galaxy A36 has the edge at 50MP. For water protection, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro leads with an IP68 rating.

Expert Rating
4.2
11 reviews
3.5
5 reviews
Screen
6.3" 6.7"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution
1206 x 2622 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
458 385
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 Pro Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 15
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth
5.2, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm
Weight
199 grams 195 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts
£37.29/mo (£29.00 upfront) £11.95/mo (£55.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£570.00 £264.99
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Apple iPhone 16 Pro Samsung Galaxy A36 Samsung Galaxy A36
Expert Rating 4.2
11 reviews
3.5
5 reviews
Screen 6.3" 6.7"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution 1206 x 2622 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 458 385
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 Pro Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android 15
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm
Weight 199 grams 195 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts £37.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
£11.95/mo
£55.00 upfront
SIM-free £570.00 £264.99
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy A36 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A36 is cheaper on contract at £311.80 over the life of the deal from £11.95 per month with £55.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Samsung Galaxy A36 has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 16 Pro's 6.3", the Apple iPhone 16 Pro has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy A36 has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro features a 48 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 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Samsung Galaxy A36 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £264.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy A36 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A36 use?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is powered by the Apple A18 Pro, 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 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy A36?

It's a trade-off: the Samsung Galaxy A36 is lighter but the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is more compact. It's 4g lighter at 195 grams, though the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is actually the more compact phone at 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm, the Samsung Galaxy A36 is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the Samsung Galaxy A36 is rated IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A36 run?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro runs Apple iOS 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.