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Samsung Galaxy A16 vs Samsung Galaxy M36

Side-by-side comparison of specifications, price, camera, battery and performance in India

Samsung Galaxy A16
Phone 1

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A16

₹15,499

View details →
Samsung Galaxy M36
Phone 2

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy M36

₹25,990

View details →
Expert verdict

Samsung Galaxy A16 vs Samsung Galaxy M36: Comparison Summary

Price

Samsung Galaxy A16 is priced lower at ₹15,499, giving it an affordability edge. The price gap is ₹10,491.

Samsung Galaxy A16 wins
Display

Samsung Galaxy A16 features a — display. Samsung Galaxy M36 offers —. Both offer the same refresh rate.

Performance

Samsung Galaxy A16 runs the —. Samsung Galaxy M36 is powered by the —. Both phones share the same chipset, so raw performance will be near-identical.

Camera

Samsung Galaxy A16 offers a — camera system. Samsung Galaxy M36 has —. Both phones support 4K video recording.

Battery

Samsung Galaxy A16 packs a — setup. Samsung Galaxy M36 uses —. Both phones have the same battery capacity.

Software & Ecosystem

Samsung Galaxy A16 runs —. Samsung Galaxy M36 ships with —. Software update timelines and AI features differ significantly between the two ecosystems.

Spec score

Overall rating breakdown

Samsung Galaxy A16

65%

Fair

Samsung Galaxy M36

65%

Fair

Strengths and weaknesses

Pros and cons

Samsung Galaxy A16

₹15,499

Pros

  • 6-year software update promise is extraordinary at ₹15,499 — the best in class for budget buyers
  • Super AMOLED FHD+ display punches well above its price bracket
  • NFC included at this price enables Google Pay — rare below ₹16,000 in the Samsung range
  • 8GB RAM Plus (virtual) supports more apps running simultaneously

Cons

  • Dimensity 6300 performance is entry-level — demanding gaming and heavy multitasking will feel sluggish
  • No IP rating — zero water resistance protection
  • 25W charging on 5000 mAh takes ~90 minutes
  • 90Hz AMOLED is good but competitors offer 120Hz at similar prices

Samsung Galaxy M36

₹25,990

Pros

  • 120Hz AMOLED at ₹25,990 means scroll-smooth, saturated content experience
  • Wi-Fi 6 delivers noticeably faster wireless speeds at home and office
  • NFC included unlike many M-series rivals in this segment
  • 8GB RAM Plus (virtual RAM) allows more background apps to stay alive

Cons

  • Exynos 1380 sustained performance dips under prolonged gaming — throttling is noticeable
  • 25W charging is slower than the 33W–45W offered by several competing brands
  • Mono speaker setup lacks immersive stereo depth
  • Body feels plasticky compared to glass-back rivals at this price
Full specifications

Samsung Galaxy A16 vs Samsung Galaxy M36 — Complete specification table

At a Glance
Specification
Samsung Galaxy A16
Samsung Galaxy M36
Starting Price
₹15,499
Lower price
₹25,990
Network
5G
5G
Launched
—
—
User Rating
—
—
Available colours
2 options
2 options
Display
Specification
Samsung Galaxy A16
Samsung Galaxy M36
Screen Size
6.7 inches
6.7 inches
Resolution
2340 × 1080 px FHD+
2400 × 1080 px FHD+
Panel Type
Super AMOLED
Super AMOLED
Refresh Rate
90Hz
120Hz
Brightness
800 nits peak
800 nits typical
Performance
Specification
Samsung Galaxy A16
Samsung Galaxy M36
Processor
MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (6nm)
Samsung Exynos 1380 (5nm)
CPU Cores
Octa-core (4× 2.4GHz + 4× 2.0GHz)
Octa-core (4× 2.4GHz + 4× 2.0GHz)
RAM
8GB LPDDR4X + 8GB RAM Plus
6GB / 8GB LPDDR4X + 8GB RAM Plus
Storage
128GB / 256GB eMMC 5.1
128GB UFS 2.2
Expandable Storage
Up to 1TB via microSD
Up to 1TB via microSD
Camera
Specification
Samsung Galaxy A16
Samsung Galaxy M36
Main Camera
50MP f/1.8
50MP f/1.8
Macro Camera
5MP f/2.4
2MP f/2.4
Depth Camera
2MP f/2.4
—
Front Camera
13MP f/2.2
13MP f/2.2
Video Recording
4K @ 30fps
4K @ 30fps
Ultra-Wide Camera
—
8MP f/2.2
Battery & Charging
Specification
Samsung Galaxy A16
Samsung Galaxy M36
Battery Capacity
5000 mAh
5000 mAh
Charging Speed
25W wired
25W wired
Wireless Charging
No
No
Connectivity
Specification
Samsung Galaxy A16
Samsung Galaxy M36
Network
5G SA/NSA
5G SA/NSA
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax)
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.3
USB
USB Type-C 2.0
USB Type-C 2.0
NFC
Yes
Yes
Design & Build
Specification
Samsung Galaxy A16
Samsung Galaxy M36
Body Material
Plastic frame and back
Plastic frame and back
Dimensions
166.6 × 77.4 × 7.9 mm
167.5 × 77.5 × 7.9 mm
Weight
196g
193g
Fingerprint Sensor
Side-mounted
Side-mounted
SIM
Dual SIM (Nano + Nano)
Dual SIM (Nano + Nano)
Software
Specification
Samsung Galaxy A16
Samsung Galaxy M36
OS at Launch
Android 14
Android 15
UI
One UI 6.1
One UI 7
Update Promise
6 years OS, 6 years security
4 years OS, 5 years security
Price comparison

All variants and prices

Samsung Galaxy A16

8GB RAM / 128GB
₹15,499
8GB RAM / 256GB
₹17,999

Samsung Galaxy M36

6GB RAM / 128GB
₹25,990
8GB RAM / 128GB
₹27,990
Common questions

Samsung Galaxy A16 vs Samsung Galaxy M36: Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Samsung Galaxy A16 or Samsung Galaxy M36?
The Samsung Galaxy A16 and Samsung Galaxy M36 target similar market segments. The Samsung Galaxy A16 starts at ₹15,499 and runs — with a — display and — chip. The Samsung Galaxy M36 starts at ₹25,990 and offers — with —. If battery life is the priority, compare their mAh capacities. If display quality matters, compare refresh rates and panel types. Neither has a universal advantage — the choice depends on your use case and ecosystem preference.
What is the price difference between Samsung Galaxy A16 and Samsung Galaxy M36?
The Samsung Galaxy A16 starts at ₹15,499 and the Samsung Galaxy M36 starts at ₹25,990 in India. The price difference between base models is ₹10,491. Both phones are available in multiple RAM/storage variants at different price points.
Does Samsung Galaxy A16 have a better camera than Samsung Galaxy M36?
Samsung Galaxy A16 offers a — camera system. Samsung Galaxy M36 provides —. Camera quality depends on factors beyond megapixels — including sensor size, aperture, OIS, and computational photography. For the most accurate comparison, refer to independent review sites that run controlled camera tests in the same conditions.
Which phone has longer battery life: Samsung Galaxy A16 or Samsung Galaxy M36?
Samsung Galaxy A16 comes with a — battery. Samsung Galaxy M36 includes —. Battery life also depends on the display resolution, refresh rate, and software optimisation. A larger mAh does not guarantee proportionally longer life if the display or processor is more power-hungry.
Is Samsung Galaxy A16 better than Galaxy F16 5G?
The Galaxy A16 offers a full FHD+ 90Hz AMOLED display (versus F16's 90Hz SAMOLED), NFC, and 8GB RAM at a comparable starting price. The F16 uses the same Dimensity 6300 chip. For connectivity and display quality, the A16 edges ahead. If budget is tight, the F16 at ₹12,499 is the better value.
Is Samsung Galaxy M36 better than M35 5G?
The Galaxy M36 improves on the M35 5G with a brighter AMOLED panel, Wi-Fi 6 support, an updated camera sensor, and Android 15 out of the box with One UI 7. The M35 had a larger 6000 mAh battery, which is the main trade-off. For display quality and software freshness, M36 is the better pick in mid-2025.
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Editorial note

Specifications on Gadzela are sourced from official brand announcements and cross-referenced against published datasheets. Prices shown reflect India launch prices and may vary by retailer or over time. Always verify before purchasing. This page does not contain sponsored placements.