Choose the refurbished Samsung Galaxy A26 if you want a smooth 120Hz display and IP67 durability at the lowest mid-tier price; choose the refurbished Samsung Galaxy A36 if you also want Snapdragon performance and 45W fast charging and are happy to pay the higher price. Both are current-generation Samsung mid-rangers stocked refurbished and unlocked by The Tech Gadgets, and the right pick comes down to how much that extra spend actually buys you for the way you use a phone.
Key Takeaways
- The refurbished Galaxy A26 is the lower-priced of the two and the refurbished Galaxy A36 costs more — a gap that holds at both the 128GB and 256GB storage tiers. Check today's price for each on its product page.
- The Galaxy A26 runs Samsung's Exynos 1380 chipset, while the Galaxy A36 runs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, a genuine step up in day-to-day and gaming performance.
- The Galaxy A36 charges at 45W wired versus the Galaxy A26's 25W wired, cutting meaningful time off a full top-up.
- Both phones share a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display at 120Hz, a 5000mAh battery, and an IP67 dust and water resistance rating.
- Both use a 50MP OIS-stabilised main camera and an 8MP ultra-wide lens; the Galaxy A36 adds a 5MP macro lens versus the Galaxy A26's 2MP macro lens.
- At the time of writing, all four condition grades (Like New, Excellent, Very Good and Fair) are currently listed for both models at The Tech Gadgets — check the product page for live stock in your chosen grade.
See it in action: the Samsung Galaxy A26 refurbished is currently in stock — check today's price on the product page.
The Samsung Galaxy A36 refurbished is currently in stock — check today's price on the product page.
Quick Verdict
There isn't a single right answer — the Galaxy A36 is the better all-round phone, but the Galaxy A26 is the better value pick if your budget is tight. Choose the Galaxy A36 if you want a noticeably snappier chipset, faster charging, and you top up your phone quickly and often. Choose the Galaxy A26 if your priority is the lowest entry price into Samsung's 120Hz, IP67-rated mid-range tier, and you don't need Snapdragon-level performance or rapid charging for how you actually use a phone day to day. Both share the same screen size, refresh rate, battery capacity and water resistance, so neither buyer is settling for a worse core experience — the price gap buys speed, not the basics.
Display
The Galaxy A26 and Galaxy A36 use the same display, so this category is a tie. Samsung specifies a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel at 120Hz for both models, meaning scrolling, swiping between home screens and general navigation feel equally smooth on either phone. Neither model has a published advantage in resolution, brightness or panel technology over the other on their respective product listings, so if display quality alone were your deciding factor, you could buy either phone with confidence. The meaningful display differences in Samsung's wider A-series only show up when you compare against the entry-level A16/A17 (90Hz) or the flagship-adjacent A56 5G — not between the A26 and A36 themselves.
Performance: Exynos 1380 vs Snapdragon 6 Gen 3
The Galaxy A36's Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is a genuine step up over the Galaxy A26's Samsung Exynos 1380. UK stock of the A26 typically runs the Exynos 1380 with 6GB or 8GB RAM, while UK stock of the A36 typically runs the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, also with 6GB or 8GB RAM depending on the unit. In practical terms, that chipset change means the A36 handles app switching, multitasking with several apps open, and more demanding games noticeably more smoothly than the A26. For light everyday use — messaging, social media, browsing, streaming — both chipsets are comfortably capable and most buyers won't feel short-changed by the Exynos 1380. If you regularly multitask heavily or play graphically demanding games, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in the A36 is the more future-proof choice.
Camera: OIS on Both, Macro Is the Real Difference
Both phones share a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilisation and an 8MP ultra-wide lens, so photo and video sharpness from the primary and wide cameras should be broadly comparable between the two. The difference sits in the third lens: the Galaxy A26 pairs its main and ultra-wide sensors with a 2MP macro lens, while the Galaxy A36 steps up to a 5MP macro lens. Macro photography is a niche use case for most buyers — close-up shots of small objects, textures or details — so this is a minor differentiator rather than a reason on its own to choose the A36. If you don't shoot macro shots, treat the two phones' cameras as effectively equivalent; if close-up detail shots matter to you, the A36's higher-resolution macro lens is the more capable option.
Battery and Charging: 25W vs 45W
Both phones share a 5000mAh battery, so all-day battery life should be similar on either model — the real difference is how quickly you can top that battery back up. Samsung specifies 25W wired charging for the Galaxy A26 and 45W wired charging for the Galaxy A36, nearly double the charging speed. For anyone who regularly tops up for 15–20 minutes before heading out the door, that gap is a genuinely practical, everyday-felt advantage for the A36 rather than a paper spec. If you typically charge overnight and rarely need a fast top-up, the A26's 25W charging is unlikely to feel like a real limitation. Battery health on individual refurbished units is not confirmed on either product page — check with The Tech Gadgets before ordering if remaining battery capacity matters to your decision.
Build and Water Resistance
Build quality and water resistance are effectively matched between these two models. Both the Galaxy A26 and Galaxy A36 carry Samsung's IP67 dust and water resistance rating, a genuine upgrade over the IP54 splash resistance on Samsung's entry-level A16/A17 models. Neither product listing describes a different frame material or glass type between the A26 and A36, so don't expect a premium-feels-different-in-hand distinction here the way you would between, say, a Galaxy A-series phone and an S-series Ultra. The Tech Gadgets stocks the Galaxy A26 in White, Black, Mint and Peach Pink, and the Galaxy A36 in Awesome Black, Awesome Lavender, Awesome Lime and Awesome White — a colourway difference rather than a build-quality one.
Is the A36 Worth the Extra Money Over the A26?
For most buyers who fast-charge regularly or multitask heavily, yes — the extra money buys a genuinely faster chipset and nearly double the charging speed, not a cosmetic upgrade. Whichever storage tier you choose, the Galaxy A36 costs more than the Galaxy A26, and on both phones Like New costs the most, then Excellent, then Very Good, with Fair the cheapest — check today's price for each on the product pages. In return for the higher price, you get the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in place of the Exynos 1380, 45W wired charging in place of 25W, and a 5MP macro lens in place of a 2MP macro lens. You do not get a better display, a bigger battery, a higher IP rating or a different main/ultra-wide camera sensor — those are identical on both phones. If your budget is fixed and you don't push a phone hard with gaming or heavy multitasking, the Galaxy A26 delivers the same screen, battery and core camera experience for less, and that saving is a completely reasonable trade-off rather than a compromise. The extra spend earns its keep specifically for buyers who value chipset headroom and faster top-ups; it doesn't earn its keep as a blanket upgrade for everyone.
Which Should You Buy? By Use Case
Best for tight budgets
Galaxy A26. Cheaper at every storage tier, with the same screen, battery and IP67 rating as the A36.
Best for gaming and multitasking
Galaxy A36. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 handles heavier apps and games more smoothly than the Exynos 1380.
Best for fast top-ups
Galaxy A36. 45W wired charging is nearly double the A26's 25W, a real time-saver if you charge in short bursts.
Best for everyday messaging, social media and streaming
Genuinely close. Both phones handle light daily use comfortably — if pushed, choose the Galaxy A26 to save money, since neither chipset will feel limiting for this kind of use.
Best for macro or close-up photography
Galaxy A36. Its 5MP macro lens outresolves the Galaxy A26's 2MP macro lens for close-up detail shots.
Best for buyers upgrading from an entry-level A16 or A17
Either is a real upgrade thanks to 120Hz and IP67, but the Galaxy A26 delivers that upgrade at the lower of the two prices.
Samsung Galaxy A26 vs Galaxy A36: Full Comparison Table
| Spec | Galaxy A26 | Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7" Super AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.7" Super AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 1380 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 |
| Rear camera | 50MP main (OIS) + 8MP ultra-wide + 2MP macro | 50MP main (OIS) + 8MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro |
| Battery | 5000mAh, 25W wired charging | 5000mAh, 45W wired charging |
| Water resistance | IP67 | IP67 |
| Connectivity | 5G and 4G LTE, nano-SIM, unlocked | 5G and 4G LTE, nano-SIM, unlocked |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB |
| Colours in stock | White, Black, Mint, Peach Pink | Awesome Black, Awesome Lavender, Awesome Lime, Awesome White |
| Condition grades (currently listed) | Like New, Excellent, Very Good, Fair | Like New, Excellent, Very Good, Fair |
| Price, 128GB Like New | See today's price | See today's price |
| Price, 256GB Like New | See today's price | See today's price |
| Warranty | 12 months (manufacturing defects & functional faults) | 12 months (manufacturing defects & functional faults) |
| Product link | View Galaxy A26 | View Galaxy A36 |
Buying Checklist
- Confirm current live pricing and stock for your chosen storage tier on the product page before ordering — pricing and availability can change.
- Decide whether chipset performance (Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 vs Exynos 1380) or the saving on the Galaxy A26 matters more for how you use your phone.
- Check whether 45W fast charging is worth the premium for your daily routine, or whether 25W charging overnight is enough.
- Confirm your preferred colour is in stock at your chosen storage and condition — colour availability varies by configuration.
- Ask The Tech Gadgets about battery health, box contents and exact condition-grading criteria if these matter to your decision, since none are published on the product pages.
- Review the 12-month warranty exclusions (battery, physical, water and electrical/short-circuit damage) and the 30-day return window before ordering.
- Check the same-day dispatch cut-off (before 3pm Monday to Friday) if you need your phone quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, the Galaxy A26 or the Galaxy A36?
Neither is universally better — the Galaxy A36 has a faster Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset and 45W charging, while the Galaxy A26 offers the same screen, battery and IP67 rating for less. Choose based on whether chipset speed and charging time matter more to you than price.
Is the Galaxy A36 worth the extra money over the Galaxy A26?
Yes, if you multitask heavily, play demanding games, or want nearly double the charging speed. If you use your phone for light everyday tasks like messaging and streaming, the Galaxy A26 delivers a near-identical experience for less.
What's the difference between the Exynos 1380 and Snapdragon 6 Gen 3?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in the Galaxy A36 delivers noticeably smoother multitasking and gaming performance than the Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A26, based on the generational chipset step-up Samsung and Qualcomm's respective architectures represent in this tier.
Do both the Galaxy A26 and Galaxy A36 have optical image stabilisation?
Yes, both phones use a 50MP main camera sensor with optical image stabilisation. The difference between them is the macro lens: 2MP on the Galaxy A26 versus 5MP on the Galaxy A36.
Which charges faster, the Galaxy A26 or Galaxy A36?
The Galaxy A36 charges faster, at 45W wired versus the Galaxy A26's 25W wired. Both phones share the same 5000mAh battery capacity.
Are the Galaxy A26 and Galaxy A36 both water resistant?
Yes, both carry Samsung's IP67 dust and water resistance rating, an upgrade over the IP54 splash resistance on Samsung's entry-level A16 and A17 models.
What condition grades are available for the Galaxy A26 and Galaxy A36?
The Tech Gadgets grades refurbished devices as Like New, Excellent, Very Good or Fair. At the time of writing, all four grades are currently listed for both the Galaxy A26 and Galaxy A36 — check the product pages for live stock in your chosen grade.
Are these phones unlocked?
Yes, both the Galaxy A26 and Galaxy A36 are sold SIM-free and unlocked, compatible with EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and any UK network or MVNO built on their infrastructure.
What warranty comes with the Galaxy A26 and Galaxy A36?
Both come with a 12-month warranty covering manufacturing defects and functional faults, excluding battery wear, physical damage, water damage and electrical/short-circuit damage, plus a 30-day return window from delivery.
Which storage size should I choose, 128GB or 256GB?
128GB comfortably covers most everyday users on either phone. 256GB is worth the upgrade if you keep a large local photo or video library or download media for offline use.