Google Pixel 9a vs Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
The Google Pixel 9a scores 6.9 in our rating, and the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G scores 6.4. The Google Pixel 9a leads in display, performance, camera, design and software support, while the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is ahead in battery. At launch in the US, the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G cost $99.01 less ($399.99 vs $499). The Google Pixel 9a is the newer phone, announced Mar 19, 2025.
Key differences
Why choose the Google Pixel 9a
- Bigger battery 5,100 mAh vs 5,000 mAh
- Brighter screen 2,700 nits vs 1,200 nits
- Better water resistance IP68 vs IP67
- Longer OS update support 7 years vs 6 years
- Newer model Mar 19, 2025 vs Mar 2, 2025
- Lighter 185.9 g vs 195 g
Why choose the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
- Faster wired charging 45 W vs 23 W
- Bigger screen 6.7 inches vs 6.3 inches
- Lower launch price $399.99 vs $499
- More RAM 6 GB / 8 GB / 12 GB vs 8 GB
- Thinner 7.4 mm vs 8.9 mm
PhoneRanked scores
Calculated from specs, relative to phones from the same year and price range. How we rate phones
Spec
Google Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A36 5G
Overall
6.9
6.4
Display
7.8
7.4
Performance
6.0
4.9
Camera
6.2
5.8
Battery
5.1
5.3
Design
8.0
7.8
Software support
9.2
8.4
Value for money
4.7
4.6
Display
Spec
Google Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A36 5G
Size
6.3 inches
6.7 inches
Type
OLED, Actua
OLED, Super AMOLED
Resolution
1080 × 2424 px
1080 × 2340 px
Pixel density
422 ppi
385 ppi
Refresh rate
120 Hz
120 Hz
Adaptive refresh
✕ No
—
Peak brightness
2,700 nits
1,200 nits
Protection
Gorilla Glass 3
Gorilla Glass Victus+
Performance
Spec
Google Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A36 5G
Process
4 nm
4 nm
Max CPU clock
3.1 GHz
2.4 GHz
GPU
Mali-G715 MP7
Adreno 710
RAM
8 GB
6 GB / 8 GB / 12 GB
Storage
128 GB / 256 GB
128 GB / 256 GB
Storage type
UFS 3.1
—
microSD slot
✕ No
✕ No
Cameras
Spec
Google Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A36 5G
Main camera
48 MP, f/1.7, 1/2"
50 MP, f/1.8
Optical stabilization
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Ultrawide
13 MP
8 MP
Rear cameras
2
3
Rear video
4K@60
4K@30
Front camera
13 MP
12 MP
Front video
4K@30
—
Battery and charging
Spec
Google Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A36 5G
Capacity
5,100 mAh
5,000 mAh
Wired charging
23 W
45 W
Wireless charging
7.5 W
—
Reverse wireless
✕ No
✕ No
Charger in box
✕ No
✕ No
Design and build
Spec
Google Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A36 5G
Dimensions
154.7 × 73.3 × 8.9 mm
162.9 × 78.2 × 7.4 mm
Thickness
8.9 mm
7.4 mm
Weight
185.9 g
195 g
Form factor
Bar
Bar
Frame
Aluminum
Plastic
Back
Plastic
Glass
Water resistance
IP68
IP67
Fingerprint
Under-display optical
Under-display optical
3D face unlock
✕ No
✕ No
SIM
Nano-SIM + eSIM
Dual Nano-SIM + eSIM
Colors
Iris, Obsidian, Porcelain, Peony
Awesome Lavender, Awesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Lime
Connectivity and features
Spec
Google Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A36 5G
5G
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6E
Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth
5.3
5.4
USB
USB-C 3.x
USB-C 2.0
NFC
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
3.5 mm jack
✕ No
✕ No
Stereo speakers
✓ Yes
✓ Yes
Satellite
✕ No
✕ No
IR blaster
✕ No
✕ No
Software
Spec
Google Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A36 5G
OS at launch
Android 15
Android 15
Interface
Pixel UI
One UI 7
OS updates
7 years
6 years
Security updates
7 years
6 years
Launch and price
Spec
Google Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A36 5G
Announced
Mar 19, 2025
Mar 2, 2025
Released
Apr 10, 2025
—
Status
Released
Released
US launch price
$499
$399.99
Green marks the stronger value in a row. Specs come from official manufacturer data, cross-checked with established tech media; each phone page lists its sources. Report an error
vs
vs
vs
vs
vs