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Samsung Galaxy M36 vs Samsung Galaxy A16

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

Samsung Galaxy M36
Phone 1

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy M36

₹25,990

View details →
Samsung Galaxy A16
Phone 2

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A16

₹15,499

View details →
Expert verdict

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

Performance

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

Camera

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

Battery

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

Software & Ecosystem

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

Spec score

Overall rating breakdown

Samsung Galaxy M36

65%

Fair

Samsung Galaxy A16

65%

Fair

Strengths and weaknesses

Pros and cons

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

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
Full specifications

Samsung Galaxy M36 vs Samsung Galaxy A16 — Complete specification table

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

All variants and prices

Samsung Galaxy M36

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

Samsung Galaxy A16

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

Samsung Galaxy M36 vs Samsung Galaxy A16: Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Samsung Galaxy M36 or Samsung Galaxy A16?
The Samsung Galaxy M36 and Samsung Galaxy A16 target similar market segments. The Samsung Galaxy M36 starts at ₹25,990 and runs — with a — display and — chip. The Samsung Galaxy A16 starts at ₹15,499 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 M36 and Samsung Galaxy A16?
The Samsung Galaxy M36 starts at ₹25,990 and the Samsung Galaxy A16 starts at ₹15,499 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 M36 have a better camera than Samsung Galaxy A16?
Samsung Galaxy M36 offers a — camera system. Samsung Galaxy A16 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 M36 or Samsung Galaxy A16?
Samsung Galaxy M36 comes with a — battery. Samsung Galaxy A16 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 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.
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.
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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.