Google Pixel 9 vs Samsung Galaxy A36

Our Verdict: If you are choosing between Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy A36, display quality is the main reason to lean one way. The Pixel has a sharper 421 PPI display, its OLED panel, and a 4.2/5 expert-review average from 13 reviews; the Samsung mainly responds with a larger 6.7-inch screen and its Super AMOLED panel. The Pixel is the better fit for display quality, while the Samsung is the one to consider for screen size.

The A36 is the cheaper one to own: around £420 over a typical contract, £278 less than the Pixel 9.

Expert Rating
4.2
13 reviews
3.4
10 reviews
Screen
6.3" 6.7"
Display
OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution
1080 x 2424 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
421 385
Rear Camera
50 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
10.5 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Google Tensor G4 (4nm) Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery
4,700 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Android 14 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
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm
Weight
198 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
£54.83/mo (£30.00 upfront) £16.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£299.99 £264.99
Google Pixel 9 Google Pixel 9 Samsung Galaxy A36 Samsung Galaxy A36
Expert Rating 4.2
13 reviews
3.4
10 reviews
Screen 6.3" 6.7"
Display OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution 1080 x 2424 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 421 385
Rear Camera 50 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 10.5 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Google Tensor G4 (4nm) Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Battery 4,700 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB
OS Android 14 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 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm
Weight 198 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 £54.83/mo
£30.00 upfront
£16.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £299.99 £264.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Google Pixel 9
Google Pixel 9

12 Months

128GB

Peony

Refurbished

5GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£54.83 per month, £30 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy A36
Samsung Galaxy A36

24 Months

128GB

Awesome Black

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£16.29 per month, £29 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy A36 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A36 is cheaper on contract at £419.96 over the life of the deal from £16.29 per month with £29.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Samsung Galaxy A36 has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Google Pixel 9's 6.3", the Google Pixel 9 has the sharper display at 421 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Google Pixel 9 uses a OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy A36 has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Google Pixel 9 features a 50 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 Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy A36?

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

What storage options are available for the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Google Pixel 9 is available in 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy A36 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy A36 use?

The Google Pixel 9 is powered by the Google Tensor G4 (4nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A36 uses the Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy A36?

It's a trade-off: the Samsung Galaxy A36 is lighter but the Google Pixel 9 is more compact. It's 3g lighter at 195 grams, though the Google Pixel 9 is actually the more compact phone at 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm, the Samsung Galaxy A36 is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Google Pixel 9 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 Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy A36 run?

The Google Pixel 9 runs Android 14 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.