Samsung’s next affordable flagship might make its cheaper sibling feel like old news.
The Galaxy A36 5G is Samsung’s top mid-range phone in the U.S. right now, priced at $399 and offering a respectable mix of display quality, software support, and battery life. But with the Galaxy S25 FE expected to arrive later this year, many might be wondering — should you spend more and go for Samsung’s Fan Edition instead?
With the S25 FE expected to deliver a flagship-grade chipset, wireless charging, more RAM, and a much more capable camera system, this shapes up to be a classic value vs performance comparison.
The A36 is already a well-rounded budget phone, but it comes with compromises in camera quality, speed, and design. The S25 FE, on the other hand, aims to be a premium-tier device at a more approachable price than the Galaxy S25.
Galaxy S25 FE vs Galaxy A36 expected differences:
*rumored/expectedTable of Contents:
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The Galaxy A36 5G sticks to a functional design with a plastic frame and a “Key Island” camera bump that sets it apart visually from other Samsung phones. While it’s certainly distinctive, it feels a generation behind in terms of design.
The Galaxy S25 FE, by contrast, is expected to maintain the flagship-grade build of its predecessor, with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back and a sleek, flat-sided aluminum frame. It will also be noticeably thinner and slightly lighter than the A36, making it feel more premium in the hand.
*rumored/expected
The S25 FE will likely have an IP68 water and dust-resistance certification, while the A36 is a tiny bit limited at with an IP67 certification (not a great difference, though). Color options on the A36 include Black, White, Lavender, and Lime. The S25 FE’s colorways are still unknown, but we expect similarly bold options.
Display Differences
Both phones use 6.
