iPhone SE (3rd gen) vs Galaxy A36 5G

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

Lifespan decides this one: the Galaxy A36 5G is supported until Mar 2031 at $6.12 per month of safe use, while the iPhone SE (3rd gen) runs out in Mar 2029 ($3.04/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56 · Galaxy A36 5G 66 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen) $100

Buy with care$3.04/mo

2022◆ Buy-by Mar 20272029

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G $350

Safe to buy$6.12/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20292031

Category by category

Display

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 50Galaxy A36 5G 70

The Galaxy A36 5G's screen is the better one — 6.7-inch fhd+ super amoled, 120hz, 1200 nits.

Performance

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 74Galaxy A36 5G 48

The iPhone SE (3rd gen)'s Apple A15 Bionic is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 40Galaxy A36 5G 67

The Galaxy A36 5G has the stronger camera system (2 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 20Galaxy A36 5G 80

5,000mAh vs 2,018mAh — the Galaxy A36 5G lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 39Galaxy A36 5G 68

The Galaxy A36 5G is supported until Mar 2031 — 24 months longer than the iPhone SE (3rd gen).

Value

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56Galaxy A36 5G 66

Overall value goes to the Galaxy A36 5G at $6.12 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone SE (3rd gen)	Galaxy A36 5G
Price (street)	$100	$350
Display	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz	6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits
Chipset	Apple A15 Bionic	Snapdragon 6 Gen 3
RAM	4GB	6GB/8GB
Storage	64GB/128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB
Battery	2,018 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	20W wired, Qi wireless 7.5W	45W wired (charger not included)
Rear cameras	12MP main	50MP main (OIS), 8MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro
Dimensions	138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm	162.9 × 78.2 × 7.4 mm
Weight	144 g	195 g
Water resistance	IP67	IP67
Supported until	Mar 2029	Mar 2031

iPhone SE (3rd gen) full verdict →Galaxy A36 5G full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.