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The vivo S2 5G has the larger, higher-resolution display and a higher-capacity battery with faster rated charging; the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G offers stated optical image stabilization, an ultrawide camera, and a longer manufacturer-stated software-support commitment. Their available prices are from different dates and sources, so they do not establish a current price difference. This is an India-market comparison, with prices and claims attributed to their sources.
At a glance: the main differences
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy M36 5G | vivo S2 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch, 1080×2340, 120Hz Super AMOLED, as listed by 91mobiles | 6.83-inch, 2800×1260 AMOLED, up to 120Hz, per vivo |
| Processor | Exynos 1380, as listed by 91mobiles | Dimensity 7360-Turbo, octa-core, 4nm, per vivo |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main with OIS, plus 8MP ultrawide and 2MP depth, according to Samsung and 91mobiles | 50MP main and 2MP secondary, per vivo |
| Front camera | Not stated in the cited Samsung launch passage or comparison details used here | 32MP, per vivo |
| Battery and charging | 5000mAh; 25W fast charging, per Samsung | 7050mAh; 44W, per vivo |
| Software support | Samsung promises six generations of Android upgrades and six years of security updates | vivo states three generations of OS updates and five years of security updates |
| RAM and storage options in cited listings | 6GB+128GB, 8GB+128GB, and 8GB+256GB at launch | 8GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB listed by vivo |
Display specifications for the M36 and its Exynos chipset are attributed to 91mobiles’ comparison listing; Samsung’s launch announcement supplies the other M36 claims noted below. vivo’s specifications are from its S2 parameter page and S2 overview. A specification sheet cannot establish which screen looks better, which phone feels faster, or how long either lasts in a particular person’s use.
Which screen is larger and sharper?
vivo lists the S2 with a 6.83-inch AMOLED display, 2800×1260 resolution, and refresh rate up to 120Hz. 91mobiles lists the M36 at 6.7 inches, 1080×2340, and 120Hz, identifying its panel as Super AMOLED. On those reported specifications, the S2 is slightly larger and has more pixels. Both are listed with a maximum 120Hz refresh rate.
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#1 Best Overall
- 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
- 4G LTE: B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B12/B13/B17/B20/B25/B26/B28/B38/B40/B41/B66, 5G: n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n26/n28/n38/n40/n41/n66/n77/n78 - Dual SIM (Physical SIM, NO ESIM Support)
- 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 is not guaranteed in all areas of the United States
Performance: chipset information and benchmark limits
vivo specifies a Dimensity 7360-Turbo octa-core processor built on a 4nm process. 91mobiles lists the Galaxy M36’s processor as Exynos 1380; Samsung’s retrieved launch announcement does not name the chipset. 91mobiles also publishes benchmark results, but those are third-party test snapshots rather than a consistent, independently verified comparison under a shared method. They should not be treated as proof that one phone is always faster in everyday use.
For app responsiveness, gaming, or sustained workloads, a reliable head-to-head test with the same software versions and conditions would be more useful than comparing isolated benchmark numbers. No such hands-on test is established here.
Camera trade-offs: stabilization, ultrawide, and selfies
Samsung highlights a 50MP optical image stabilization (OIS) main camera on the M36. 91mobiles describes its rear setup as a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP depth camera. vivo lists a 50MP main and 2MP secondary rear camera on the S2, plus a 32MP front camera.
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Rank #2
- 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
- For steadier main-camera shots: Samsung explicitly identifies OIS on the M36’s 50MP camera.
- For wider scenes: 91mobiles lists an 8MP ultrawide camera on the M36; the cited vivo specification lists a 2MP secondary camera without identifying it as an ultrawide.
- For selfie-camera resolution: vivo specifies a 32MP front camera. The cited Samsung launch passage does not provide a comparable front-camera specification.
These hardware details do not establish overall photo or video quality. The available evidence does not include independent image testing, so megapixel counts and camera labels should not be read as a verdict on real-world results.
Battery capacity and charging
Samsung announced a 5000mAh battery and 25W charging for the M36. vivo specifies a 7050mAh battery and 44W charging for the S2. Those manufacturer figures give the S2 an advantage in rated capacity and charging wattage, but they do not guarantee longer practical battery life or a particular charging time: usage, settings, network conditions, and charging conditions matter.
vivo advertises up to 33 hours of video playback, 43.7 hours of local music playback, 49 hours of 5G calling, and 12.6 hours of Free Fire gaming. These are vivo’s claims, not independent test results, and should not be compared directly with a different device’s results unless test conditions match.
Rank #3
- AFFORDABLY AWESOME AND ALWAYS RELIABLE: Galaxy A36 5G offers premium features and smart extras designed to elevate your everyday life — all at a price that brings exceptional value.
- AWESOME SCREEN, ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES: Elevate your content no matter where you are with the 6.7” display of Galaxy A36.¹ Whether you're gaming, streaming or browsing, enjoy massive detail and stunning clarity.
- FIND AWESOME FAST: What’s your favorite influencer wearing? Where’d they go on vacation? What’s that word mean? Don’t try to describe it — use Circle to Search with Google and get the answer in a snap.² With Galaxy A36 5G, simply circle it on your screen.
- PRO SHOTS, NO PROBLEM: From family photos to dinner with friends, the enhanced front-facing camera on Galaxy A36 5G makes every selfie look like it came straight from a photo shoot.
- SEE FAMILY MOMENTS IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT: Your family’s special moments just got brighter with Galaxy A36 5G. With effortless Nightography, you can capture clear, high-quality photos and videos automatically without adjusting manual settings.
Software support and durability
Samsung says the M36 ships with One UI 7 and promises six generations of Android upgrades plus six years of security updates. vivo’s S2 overview states three generations of OS updates and five years of security updates. These are vendor commitments expressed using different measures—generations of platform upgrades versus years of security maintenance—so the figures are not interchangeable.
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Samsung also highlights Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection for the M36. The cited vivo specification passage does not state a comparable screen-protection claim; that absence is not proof that the phone has no protection.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Variants and India prices: dates matter
The available figures are not a like-for-like current-price comparison. Samsung’s numbers are introductory prices announced in India on June 30, 2025; vivo’s is a selected store listing captured on October 7, 2026. Do not subtract one from the other to claim a current price gap.
Rank #4
- 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. This device does not support E-SIM
- International Model – Global Connectivity - This device is compatible with T-Mobile, networks in the United States. Compatible with AT&T and Verizon on 4G LTE. Not compatible with most MVNO carriers that use Verizon's network. MVNO's like Metro, Boost, Mint etc. require IMEI activation. Its MVNO's in the U.S., as some carriers may not recognize International IMEI's as Compatible. (No U.S. manufacturer warranty; Seller Return policy applies.)
- 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
| Phone and variant | Price shown | Source and price context |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy M36 6GB+128GB | ₹16,499 | Samsung India introductory price announced June 30, 2025; includes a ₹1,000 instant bank discount |
| Galaxy M36 8GB+128GB | ₹17,999 | Samsung India introductory price announced June 30, 2025 |
| Galaxy M36 8GB+256GB | ₹20,999 | Samsung India introductory price announced June 30, 2025 |
| vivo S2 8GB+128GB | ₹42,999 | Selected option displayed by the vivo India Store on October 7, 2026 |
Samsung said sales would begin July 12, 2025, through Samsung.com, Amazon, and selected retailers in India. vivo’s cited store page also listed 8GB+256GB, but the cited snapshot does not state a price for that option. Prices, stock, discounts, and variant availability can change; check the same retailer, date, and RAM/storage configuration before buying. A 91mobiles comparison page also displays ₹21,999 for the M36 and ₹41,999 for the S2, but that third-party snapshot has different timing or listing conditions and is not a substitute for matching live retailer listings.
Which phone makes more sense for you?
Consider the vivo S2 if
- You prioritize a larger display with higher listed resolution.
- You want the larger rated battery and higher charging wattage.
- A 32MP front-camera specification is important to your decision.
Consider the Galaxy M36 if
- You want the specifically stated OIS main camera and an ultrawide camera in the listed rear setup.
- Samsung’s stated six Android-upgrade generations and six years of security updates better fit your expected ownership period.
- You value Samsung’s stated Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection.
Before choosing, compare current India prices for the exact RAM/storage variant from the same retailer. The supplied price snapshots are from different dates and cannot identify which phone is currently the better value.
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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.
