Samsung Galaxy A36 vs CMF Phone 2 Pro: Which Budget Phone Should You Buy in Singapore?

• July 14 2026, by clayden ong

Finding a great smartphone under S$500 isn't as difficult as it used to be. Today's budget smartphones offer fast processors, vibrant AMOLED displays, capable cameras and all-day battery life—without the premium price tag.

Two of the strongest contenders in this category are the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G and the CMF Phone 2 Pro. Both promise excellent value for money, but they cater to slightly different users.

If you're wondering which one deserves your money, we've compared them across the categories that matter most: price, performance, display, cameras, battery life and software support.

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At a Glance

 

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Price

For buyers on a tighter budget, the CMF Phone 2 Pro has the advantage.

Retailing at around S$380 to S$450, it undercuts the Samsung Galaxy A36 while still offering competitive specifications.

The Galaxy A36 typically sells for around S$450 to S$550, depending on the storage configuration and promotions. Although it's slightly more expensive, Samsung justifies the higher price with a more mature software ecosystem and significantly longer Android OS support.

Winner: 🏆 CMF Phone 2 Pro

If your priority is getting the most hardware for your money, CMF offers exceptional value.

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Performance

Performance is one of the biggest deciding factors when buying a budget smartphone.

The Galaxy A36 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, a processor designed to deliver reliable everyday performance while remaining power efficient. Samsung also equips the phone with a larger vapour chamber to improve heat management during gaming and multitasking.

Meanwhile, the CMF Phone 2 Pro features the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro, a chipset that generally offers stronger graphics performance and faster app loading, making it a better choice for users who frequently game or multitask.

Everyday Usage

Both phones handle:

• Social media

• YouTube and Netflix

• WhatsApp and Telegram

• Mobile banking

• Web browsing

without any noticeable issues.

Gaming

If you enjoy games like:

• Mobile Legends

• PUBG Mobile

• Call of Duty Mobile

the CMF Phone 2 Pro delivers smoother frame rates and better sustained performance.

Winner: 🏆 CMF Phone 2 Pro

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Display

Displays have become one of the biggest strengths of modern budget smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy A36

• 6.7-inch Super AMOLED

• Full HD+ resolution

• 120Hz refresh rate

• Up to 1,200 nits high-brightness mode for better outdoor visibility.

CMF Phone 2 Pro

• 6.77-inch AMOLED

• Full HD+

• 120Hz refresh rate

• Higher advertised peak brightness with HDR support, making HDR videos and outdoor viewing more impressive.

Both displays look sharp and smooth for everyday use, but the CMF Phone 2 Pro edges ahead on paper with its brighter panel and HDR capabilities.

Winner: 🏆 CMF Phone 2 Pro

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Camera

Camera performance is where the two phones begin to differ.

Samsung Galaxy A36

The Galaxy A36 includes:

• 50MP main camera (with OIS)

• 8MP ultra-wide camera

• 5MP macro camera

Samsung's image processing produces vibrant colours and consistent results, making it a reliable option for casual photography and social media. Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) also helps improve low-light shots and video stability.

CMF Phone 2 Pro

The CMF Phone 2 Pro features:

• 50MP main camera

• 50MP 2x telephoto camera

• 8MP ultra-wide camera

The inclusion of a dedicated telephoto lens is uncommon in this price range and provides greater flexibility when zooming or taking portrait shots. However, while the hardware is impressive, reviewers generally note that Samsung delivers more consistent image processing in varied lighting conditions.

Winner: 🏆 Samsung Galaxy A36

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Battery Life & Charging

Both smartphones are equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, allowing most users to comfortably get through a full day on a single charge.

The difference comes when it's time to recharge.

Samsung's faster 45W charging means less time plugged into the wall and more time using your phone.

Winner: 🏆 Samsung Galaxy A36

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Software Experience

This category depends on personal preference.

Samsung One UI

Samsung's One UI is packed with features, integrates well with the Galaxy ecosystem, includes Galaxy AI features on supported models, and comes with an outstanding six generations of Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates.

Nothing OS (CMF)

Nothing OS takes a different approach.

It offers:

• A clean interface

• Minimal pre-installed apps

• Smooth animations

• Unique visual design

Many users enjoy its simplicity, but CMF promises fewer Android version upgrades than Samsung.

Winner: 🏆 Samsung Galaxy A36

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Final Verdict

Both smartphones represent excellent value, but they're designed for different priorities.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A36 if:

• You want long-term software support.

• You prefer Samsung's polished ecosystem.

• You value dependable cameras.

• Faster charging is important to you.

Buy the CMF Phone 2 Pro if:

• You want the best performance for your money.

• You enjoy mobile gaming.

• You prefer a clean, minimalist Android experience.

• You're looking to maximise value on a tighter budget.

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Which One Would We Choose?

If your budget allows, the Samsung Galaxy A36 is the safer long-term investment thanks to its longer software support, dependable camera performance and faster charging.

However, if you're looking for the best value under S$500, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is difficult to ignore. It delivers stronger performance, a brighter display and premium hardware at a lower price, making it one of the best budget smartphones available today.

Whichever phone you choose, you're getting a capable device that proves you don't need to spend over S$1,000 to enjoy a smooth and reliable smartphone experience.

Tags

Budget Smartphones Buying Guide Gadget Reviews Nothing Phones Samsung Galaxy Phones Smartphone Reviews

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