Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy A36
Our verdict: On contract, the Samsung Galaxy A36 works out £802.00 cheaper overall than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max wins on display with a bigger 6.9" screen and a sharper 458 PPI. If you'd rather buy outright, the Samsung Galaxy A36 starts at £269.00 SIM-free. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max gives you more flexibility with 4 storage options to choose from.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
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Samsung Galaxy A36
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.9" | 6.7" |
| Display | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1320 x 2868 | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 458 | 385 |
| Rear Camera | 48 Megapixels | 50 Megapixels |
| Front Camera | 18 Megapixels | 12 Megapixels |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro | Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 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 | 6.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm | 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm |
| Weight | 233 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 |
£44.29/mo
£99.00 upfront |
£13.79/mo
£29.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £1094.99 | £269.00 |
| Deals | Deals |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A36 cheaper on contract?
Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A36 is cheaper on contract at £359.96 over the life of the deal from £13.79 per month with £29.00 upfront.
Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A36?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Samsung Galaxy A36's 6.7", the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 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 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A36?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 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 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A36?
The Samsung Galaxy A36 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £269.00.
What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy A36?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, while the Samsung Galaxy A36 comes in 128GB, 256GB.
What processors do the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy A36 use?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A19 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 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A36?
The Samsung Galaxy A36 is the more portable of the two — it's 38g lighter at 195 grams, both are similar in overall footprint, and is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A36?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 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 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy A36 run?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 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.