HONOR Magic 8 Lite vs Samsung Galaxy A36

Our verdict: On contract, the Samsung Galaxy A36 works out £4.97 cheaper overall than the HONOR Magic 8 Lite. The HONOR Magic 8 Lite has the sharper display at 427 PPI. If you'd rather buy outright, the Samsung Galaxy A36 starts at £269.00 SIM-free. The Samsung Galaxy A36 gives you more flexibility with 2 storage options to choose from.

Screen
6.79" 6.7"
Display
AMOLED Super AMOLED
Resolution
1200 x 2640 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
427 385
Rear Camera
108 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
16 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Storage
512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Android 15 Android 15
SIM Type
Nano SIM + Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth
5.2 with A2DP, LE, aptX HD 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
161.9 x 76.1 x 7.8 mm 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm
Weight
189 grams 195 grams
Water Resistance
IP65/68 - Dust and water proof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts
£13.99/mo (£9.00 upfront) £13.79/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£347.00 £269.00
HONOR Magic 8 Lite HONOR Magic 8 Lite Samsung Galaxy A36 Samsung Galaxy A36
Screen 6.79" 6.7"
Display AMOLED Super AMOLED
Resolution 1200 x 2640 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 427 385
Rear Camera 108 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 16 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4 nm) Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
Storage 512GB 128GB, 256GB
OS Android 15 Android 15
SIM Type Nano SIM + Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.2 with A2DP, LE, aptX HD 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 161.9 x 76.1 x 7.8 mm 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm
Weight 189 grams 195 grams
Water Resistance IP65/68 - Dust and water proof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts £13.99/mo
£9.00 upfront
£13.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £347.00 £269.00
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the HONOR Magic 8 Lite 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 HONOR Magic 8 Lite or Samsung Galaxy A36?

Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.8", the HONOR Magic 8 Lite has the sharper display at 427 pixels per inch versus 385, and the HONOR Magic 8 Lite uses a AMOLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy A36 has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the HONOR Magic 8 Lite or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The HONOR Magic 8 Lite features a 108 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 HONOR Magic 8 Lite or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The Samsung Galaxy A36 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £269.00.

What storage options are available for the HONOR Magic 8 Lite and Samsung Galaxy A36?

The HONOR Magic 8 Lite is available in 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy A36 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the HONOR Magic 8 Lite and Samsung Galaxy A36 use?

The HONOR Magic 8 Lite is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4 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 HONOR Magic 8 Lite or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The HONOR Magic 8 Lite is the more portable of the two — it's 6g lighter at 189 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 161.9 x 76.1 x 7.8 mm, the Samsung Galaxy A36 is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the HONOR Magic 8 Lite or Samsung Galaxy A36?

The HONOR Magic 8 Lite is rated IP65/68 - Dust and water proof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, while the Samsung Galaxy A36 is rated IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min).

What operating system do the HONOR Magic 8 Lite and Samsung Galaxy A36 run?

Both phones run Android 15.