The Galaxy S25 is the more compact, higher-tier choice, with a dedicated 3× optical telephoto camera and 12GB of RAM. The Galaxy A36 5G gives you a larger 6.7-inch screen and a higher listed battery capacity. Samsung’s cited US prices put the 128GB models $400 apart in March 2025, but that dated MSRP is not a current-price guarantee.
Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy A36: key specifications
The specifications below come from Samsung’s Germany comparison page, last updated 8 July 2026. Samsung cautions that model specifications can vary by country, so check the exact local model and configuration before buying.
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| Specification | Galaxy S25 | Galaxy A36 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 2340 × 1080; up to 120Hz | 6.7-inch Super AMOLED; 1080 × 2340; up to 120Hz |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main with OIS; 12MP ultrawide; 10MP telephoto with autofocus, OIS and 3× optical zoom | 50MP main with OIS; 8MP ultrawide; 5MP macro |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3nm) | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 |
| RAM and listed storage | 12GB RAM; 128GB, 256GB or 512GB listed | 6GB RAM with 128GB; 8GB RAM with 256GB |
| Typical battery capacity | 4,000mAh | 5,000mAh |
| Samsung’s video playback claim | Up to 29 hours | Up to 29 hours |
| Dust and water resistance rating | IP68 | IP67 |
Samsung’s Germany comparison lists the hardware figures and notes regional variation. The listed 512GB S25 capacity is shown here without repeating an apparent unit typo in the source text; verify the specific SKU in your market.
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What the differences mean in everyday use
Choose the S25 for a smaller phone and optical zoom
At 6.2 inches, the S25 has the smaller display. Its rear camera system also includes a dedicated telephoto lens with 3× optical zoom; the A36’s third rear camera is a macro camera instead. That makes the S25 the more suitable specification-based pick if a compact handset or a true optical zoom lens matters to you. These specifications alone do not establish which phone takes better photos overall.
#1 Best Overall
- MULTIPLE TASKS WITH ONE ASK: Streamline your day with an assistant that gets you. Ask it to Google search for a pet-friendly vegan restaurant nearby and text it to your friend— your Galaxy S25+ handles multiple tasks with a single ask.¹
- START THE DAY SMARTER: Stay one step ahead with a phone that gives you the info you need before you even know you need it with Now Brief.²
- REDUCE THE NOISE. REVEAL THE MAGIC: AI Camera with Audio Eraser lets you capture vibrant videos in low light and minimize unwanted noises so you can relive your favorite moments with fewer distractions.³
- BRING OUT THE BEST IN EVERY FACE: Capture every portrait with clarity and confidence on the Galaxy S25+ Series. The advanced portrait features adjust skin tones and preserve natural textures, giving every shot a polished, professional look.
- MORE POWER TO YOU: Reimagine what’s possible with the Galaxy S25+, featuring our most powerful processor yet. Effortlessly translate your calls, slow down a video, or edit your photos without skipping a beat.
Choose the A36 for a larger screen and higher battery capacity
The A36’s 6.7-inch display gives it more screen area, while its typical 5,000mAh battery capacity exceeds the S25’s listed 4,000mAh. Capacity is not the same as measured battery life: Samsung lists up to 29 hours of video playback for each phone, a manufacturer claim rather than an independent endurance test.
Consider the chipset and memory configuration
Samsung lists the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy and 12GB of RAM for the S25. The A36 uses a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, with Samsung’s comparison listing 6GB RAM for the 128GB configuration and 8GB for the 256GB one. This makes the S25 the higher-tier option on paper, but the cited specifications do not provide benchmark results or prove how much faster it will feel in a particular app.
Rank #2
- 6.2" Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X QHD+, 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate, HDR10+, 1080x2340px, Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
- 128GB, 12GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm), Octa-Core, Adreno 830 GPU, 4000mAh Battery
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8, wide + 10MP, f/2.4, telephoto + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, wide
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: UMTS 1(2100)/2(1900)/4(AWS)/5(850)/8(900), 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: N1/2/5/7/25/28/41/66/71/77/78/257/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
- US Model - Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Understand the water-resistance ratings
Samsung lists IP68 for the S25 and IP67 for the A36. These are different ingress-protection ratings, not a promise that either phone is indestructible or safe in every exposure. Follow the device’s local safety and warranty guidance rather than treating a rating as protection against all water damage.
How much more did the S25 cost?
Samsung’s US MSRP list effective March 2025 named the 128GB S25 at $799.99 and the 128GB unlocked A36 5G at $399.99—a $400 difference between those specific US MSRP listings. This is not a current street-price comparison and should not be generalized to other countries.
Rank #3
- 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 4G bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 5G bands 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
- Dimensions 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm (5.78 x 2.78 x 0.28 in) Weight 162 g (5.71 oz) Build Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame SIM Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
- Display Type Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 480Hz PWM, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak) Size 6.2 inches, 94.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio) Resolution 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~416 ppi density) Protection Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- OS Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 Chipset Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) CPU Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) GPU Adreno 830
- Main Camera Triple 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video Features Best Face, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama Video 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Samsung’s US S25 store page displayed $799.99 for the unlocked 128GB model and $899.99 for the unlocked 256GB model when accessed for this comparison; Samsung says prices and promotions may change. A separate Samsung US price file effective March 2026 labels the 128GB unlocked A36 model EOL and shows $399.99. That price-file status does not establish that the phone is unavailable from every seller or in every market, and the old MSRP is not evidence of a current offer.
For a purchase decision, compare live prices for the same country, storage capacity and carrier or unlocked status. The price difference can change with promotions, stock and seller.
Rank #4
- 6.2" Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X QHD+, 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate, HDR10+, 1080x2340px, Android 15, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
- 128GB, 12GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm), Octa-Core, Adreno 830 GPU, 4000mAh Battery
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8, wide + 10MP, f/2.4, telephoto + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, wide
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: UMTS 1(2100)/2(1900)/4(AWS)/5(850)/8(900), 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: N1/2/5/7/25/28/41/66/71/77/78/257/258/260/261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
- US Model - No Warranty. Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Sprint.
What about charging and software support?
Samsung’s Latin America A36 product information specifies 45W charging and six generations of OS upgrades plus six years of security updates. Those details apply to the regional product information cited, not automatically to every market or variant; check local eligibility and terms. The sources cited here do not provide a directly matched S25 support-duration or charging-speed figure, so they do not establish a winner between these phones on either point.
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Best Value
- MULTIPLE TASKS WITH ONE ASK: Streamline your day with an assistant that gets you. Ask it to Google search for a pet-friendly vegan restaurant nearby and text it to your friend— your Galaxy S25 handles multiple tasks with a single ask.¹
- START THE DAY SMARTER: Stay one step ahead with a phone that gives you the info you need before you even know you need it with Now Brief.²
- REDUCE THE NOISE. REVEAL THE MAGIC: AI Camera with Audio Eraser lets you capture vibrant videos in low light and minimize unwanted noises so you can relive your favorite moments with fewer distractions.³
- BRING OUT THE BEST IN EVERY FACE: Capture every portrait with clarity and confidence on the Galaxy S25. The advanced portrait features adjust skin tones and preserve natural textures, giving every shot a polished, professional look.
- MORE POWER TO YOU: Reimagine what’s possible with the Galaxy S25. featuring our most powerful processor yet. Effortlessly translate your calls, slow down a video, or edit your photos without skipping a beat.
Which one should you buy?
- Pick the Galaxy S25 if you prefer a smaller phone, want the dedicated 3× optical telephoto camera, or value the higher-tier listed chipset and 12GB RAM.
- Pick the Galaxy A36 5G if a larger display and higher rated battery capacity matter more, and its current local price makes sense for your budget.
Because prices and configurations vary by region and date, compare the exact models available where you live before deciding. The listed specifications describe hardware, not independently measured speed, photo quality or battery endurance.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
