Apple iPhone Air vs Samsung Galaxy A36
Our verdict: On contract, the Samsung Galaxy A36 works out £530.97 cheaper overall than the Apple iPhone Air. The Samsung Galaxy A36 has a bigger 6.7" screen, but the Apple iPhone Air is sharper at 444 PPI. If you'd rather buy outright, the Samsung Galaxy A36 starts at £269.00 SIM-free. The Apple iPhone Air gives you more flexibility with 3 storage options to choose from.
Apple iPhone Air
|
Samsung Galaxy A36
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.5" | 6.7" |
| Display | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1206 x 2622 | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 444 | 385 |
| Rear Camera | 48 Megapixels | 50 Megapixels |
| Front Camera | 18 Megapixels | 12 Megapixels |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 128GB, 256GB |
| OS | Apple iOS | Android 15 |
| SIM Type | 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 | 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm | 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm |
| Weight | 165 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 |
£29.99/mo
£159.00 upfront |
£13.79/mo
£29.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £645.99 | £269.00 |
| Deals | Deals |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Apple iPhone Air 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 Air or Samsung Galaxy A36?
The Samsung Galaxy A36 has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone Air's 6.5", the Apple iPhone Air has the sharper display at 444 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone Air 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 Air or Samsung Galaxy A36?
The Apple iPhone Air 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 Air 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 Air and Samsung Galaxy A36?
The Apple iPhone Air is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy A36 comes in 128GB, 256GB.
What processors do the Apple iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy A36 use?
The Apple iPhone Air is powered by the Apple A19 Pro (3 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 Air or Samsung Galaxy A36?
The Apple iPhone Air is the more portable of the two — it's 30g lighter at 165 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm, and is slimmer at 5.6mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy A36?
The Apple iPhone Air 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 Air and Samsung Galaxy A36 run?
The Apple iPhone Air 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.