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For buyers who prioritize a published software-support commitment and a manufacturer-confirmed OIS triple-camera setup, the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G is the clearer choice. The Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G has a newer named chipset and a Sony OIS main camera; third-party listings also report a larger battery and display, but disagree on several important specifications. This comparison covers India and uses information available as of 7 October 2026. It is a specification and price comparison, not a hands-on test.
How the specifications compare
The table separates Samsung-confirmed specifications from Nova figures that come from Ai+ announcements or third-party listings. Price figures refer to different dates and promotions, so they are not a like-for-like current-price comparison.
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy M36 5G | Ai+ Nova 2 Ultra 5G |
|---|---|---|
| India availability | Samsung announced the phone on 30 June 2025, with availability from 12 July 2025. Samsung Newsroom India | Ai+ announced sale from 17 April 2026. Ai+ launch announcement via Business Standard |
| Display | 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120Hz; 1080 × 2340 resolution. Samsung India product page | Third-party listings report a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display, but disagree on its refresh rate: 120Hz or 144Hz. Gadgets 360; Beebom |
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 1380, 5nm. Samsung Newsroom India | MediaTek Dimensity 7400; Ai+ also names VC cooling. Ai+ launch announcement via Business Standard |
| Rear cameras | 50MP OIS + 8MP + 2MP. Samsung says front and rear cameras can record 4K video. Samsung Newsroom India | Ai+ confirms a Sony IMX752 50MP OIS main camera; third-party comparisons list an 8MP secondary camera. Ai+ launch announcement via Business Standard; 91mobiles comparison |
| Front camera | 13MP. Samsung Newsroom India | 13MP, according to third-party listings. Gadgets 360 |
| Battery and charging | 5,000mAh typical capacity; 25W wired charging. Samsung India product page | Third-party sources commonly list 6,000mAh. Charging reports conflict: Gadgets 360 lists 33W, while Beebom lists 40W. Gadgets 360; Beebom |
| Software and support | Launched with One UI 7 based on Android 15. Samsung announced six generations of Android upgrades and six years of security updates; its product page lists the security period through 31 December 2031. Samsung India product page | Ai+ says the Nova series runs Android 16 with NxtQuantum OS. No equivalent multi-year support commitment was verified in the sources used for this comparison. Ai+ launch announcement via Business Standard |
| Durability | Samsung announced Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection; an IP rating was not established in the Samsung sources cited here. Samsung Newsroom India | Third-party listings conflict, reporting IP64 or IP68. Gadgets 360; Beebom |
Which phone has the better display and processor?
Display: Samsung’s refresh rate is confirmed; the Nova’s is disputed
Samsung specifies a 6.7-inch, 120Hz FHD+ Super AMOLED panel at 1080 × 2340. The Nova is reported to have a slightly larger 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED screen, but published refresh-rate specifications conflict. Gadgets 360 lists 144Hz, while Beebom reports 120Hz. Treat the Nova’s refresh rate as unconfirmed unless Ai+ provides a current product sheet for the exact model.
Processor: named chips do not settle real-world speed
The M36 uses Samsung’s Exynos 1380, and Ai+ names the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 for the Nova 2 Ultra. Those are chipset specifications, not a controlled performance comparison. No independent head-to-head benchmark is established here, so a definitive speed winner would be unsupported.
#1 Best Overall
- AWESOME SCREEN. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES: Elevate your content no matter where you are with the 6.7" Super AMOLED display¹ of the Galaxy A37 5G. Enjoy massive detail and stunning clarity on the go
- LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Whether it’s family moments or important calls, stay powered without the wait with Galaxy A37 5G. Super Fast Charging 2.0² ensures you’re back up and running quickly
- NEVER MISS THE SHOT, EVEN IN LOW LIGHT: With effortless Nightography, you can capture clear high-quality photos and videos on your phone automatically without adjusting manual settings
- PRO SHOTS, NO PROBLEM: Capture every moment effortlessly on Galaxy A37 5G with the advanced triple-lens camera system featuring a 50MP HDR main camera and a studio-grade front camera
- MORE POWER. MORE AWESOME: Enjoy smooth performance on Galaxy A37 5G. From detailed graphics while gaming to quick app launches and effortless multitasking, the Exynos 1480 keeps everything running
How do the cameras and batteries compare?
Camera hardware and evidence
Samsung specifies the M36’s full rear-camera arrangement: a 50MP OIS main camera, an 8MP camera and a 2MP camera. Its launch information also says both front and rear cameras can record 4K video. Ai+ confirms a Sony IMX752 50MP OIS main camera for the Nova; the additional 8MP camera and 13MP selfie camera are figures from third-party listings, rather than the cited Ai+ launch details.
Both phones therefore have a stated optical-stabilization feature on the main camera, but specifications alone do not establish which takes better photos or video. No controlled camera comparison is available here.
Rank #2
- AWESOME SCREEN. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES: Elevate your content no matter where you are with the 6.7" Super AMOLED display¹ of the Galaxy A37 5G. Enjoy massive detail and stunning clarity on the go
- LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Whether it’s family moments or important calls, stay powered without the wait with Galaxy A37 5G. Super Fast Charging 2.0² ensures you’re back up and running quickly
- NEVER MISS THE SHOT, EVEN IN LOW LIGHT: With effortless Nightography, you can capture clear high-quality photos and videos on your phone automatically without adjusting manual settings
- PRO SHOTS, NO PROBLEM: Capture every moment effortlessly on Galaxy A37 5G with the advanced triple-lens camera system featuring a 50MP HDR main camera and a studio-grade front camera
- MORE POWER. MORE AWESOME: Enjoy smooth performance on Galaxy A37 5G. From detailed graphics while gaming to quick app launches and effortless multitasking, the Exynos 1480 keeps everything running
Battery capacity and charging
Samsung lists a 5,000mAh typical-capacity battery and 25W charging for the M36. Third-party sources commonly list 6,000mAh for the Nova, but disagree on charging power: Gadgets 360 reports 33W and Beebom 40W. The larger reported capacity may interest buyers seeking more battery headroom, but it does not establish longer runtime; no comparable controlled battery test is available.
Which phone offers clearer software support and durability details?
The M36 has the more clearly published support commitment: Samsung announced six Android upgrade generations and six years of security updates. Its product page gives a security-update period through 31 December 2031, while cautioning that update information describes current plans rather than an obligation. Samsung launched the phone with One UI 7 based on Android 15.
Rank #3
- Please note, this device does not support eSIM. This device is compatible with T-Mobile networks and its MVNOs in the United States, carrier compatibility, activation, and network performance may vary depending on IMEI acceptance policies, carrier requirements, regional network support, and available frequency bands.
- NOT compatible with the MVNO's (Spectrum, Cricket, Xfinity, H2O, Visible, etc.), may not recognize international IMEI numbers for activation. Carrier compatibility is not guaranteed in all areas of the United States. Please verify compatibility with your carrier prior to purchase. No U.S. manufacturer warranty; seller return policy applies.
- The included 25W Fast Charger is a generic accessory and is not a Samsung-branded charger, 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080x2340px, Fingerprint (under display, optical), IP67 dust and water resistance
- 256GB, 8GB, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm), Octa-core, Adreno 710 GPU, Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 + 8MP, f/2.2 + 5MP, f/2.4, Front Camera: 12MP, f/2.2, 5000mAh Battery, Bluetooth 5.4
Ai+ says the Nova series runs Android 16 with NxtQuantum OS, but the sources cited here do not establish a comparable multi-year update schedule. That is a gap in verified information, not proof that the phone will receive no updates.
For durability, Samsung announced Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection for the M36, but the cited Samsung sources do not establish an IP rating. Nova listings disagree between IP64 and IP68. Do not rely on either Nova rating—or assume an IP rating for the M36—without checking current manufacturer documentation for the exact model.
Rank #4
- AWESOME SCREEN. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES: Elevate your content no matter where you are with the 6.7" Super AMOLED display¹ of the Galaxy A37 5G. Enjoy massive detail and stunning clarity on the go
- LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Whether it’s family moments or important calls, stay powered without the wait with Galaxy A37 5G. Super Fast Charging 2.0² ensures you’re back up and running quickly
- NEVER MISS THE SHOT, EVEN IN LOW LIGHT: With effortless Nightography, you can capture clear high-quality photos and videos on your phone automatically without adjusting manual settings
- PRO SHOTS, NO PROBLEM: Capture every moment effortlessly on Galaxy A37 5G with the advanced triple-lens camera system featuring a 50MP HDR main camera and a studio-grade front camera
- MORE POWER. MORE AWESOME: Enjoy smooth performance on Galaxy A37 5G. From detailed graphics while gaming to quick app launches and effortless multitasking, the Exynos 1480 keeps everything running
What is the price difference in India?
The published prices describe different dates and offers, not a same-day comparison. Samsung’s June 2025 launch announcement listed three M36 memory tiers. The 6GB/128GB price included a ₹1,000 instant bank discount; the other figures were launch prices. Ai+ announced a Nova 2 Ultra launch starting price in April 2026. Gadgets 360 listed a different starting price on 7 October 2026.
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|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy M36, Samsung launch announcement, June 2025 | 6GB/128GB | ₹16,499 | Includes a ₹1,000 instant bank discount. Samsung Newsroom India |
| Galaxy M36, Samsung launch announcement, June 2025 | 8GB/128GB | ₹17,999 | Launch price. Samsung Newsroom India |
| Galaxy M36, Samsung launch announcement, June 2025 | 8GB/256GB | ₹20,999 | Launch price. Samsung Newsroom India |
| Nova 2 Ultra, Ai+ launch announcement, April 2026 | Starting tier not stated | ₹14,999 | Launch starting price; the cited release does not establish a directly matching memory tier. Ai+ launch announcement via Business Standard |
| Nova 2 Ultra, Gadgets 360 listing, 7 October 2026 | Starting tier not stated | ₹20,999 | Third-party listing snapshot, not an Ai+ confirmed current price. Gadgets 360 |
Check current stock and retailer prices for the same RAM and storage capacity before comparing value. The cited 91mobiles comparison showed the Nova as out of stock when accessed, underscoring that listed prices may not correspond to an available offer. 91mobiles comparison
Best Value
- Compatible Model:For Samsung Galaxy M36 5G.
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Which phone should you choose?
- Choose the Galaxy M36 if you want Samsung’s published multi-year software-support plan, a manufacturer-specified 120Hz display, and confirmed details for its OIS triple-camera system.
- Consider the Nova 2 Ultra if its Dimensity 7400 platform and Sony OIS main camera appeal to you, and you can verify the exact display, charging, durability and update specifications for the unit being sold.
- Decide on price only after checking live offers for equivalent memory tiers. The available launch and listing figures come from different dates and do not establish which phone is cheaper now.
Neither chipset label nor reported battery capacity is a substitute for independent performance, camera or runtime testing. Samsung also notes that its specifications and prices can change without prior notice, and that its update information describes current plans rather than a binding obligation.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
