The Samsung Galaxy A36 is currently priced at $340 after its first discount, while the Galaxy A56 will launch soon at $500. The S24 FE, now available again at $500, features better performance and camera capabilities than the A series. The OnePlus 13R offers more RAM, storage, and a larger battery for the same price. Google’s Pixel 9 and 9 Pro stand out for their superior camera quality, with the Pro model including a telephoto lens. The S25 Ultra and OnePlus 13 are also noted as strong contenders under $1,000, showcasing competitive features and performance.
Last week, the Samsung Galaxy A36 received its first discount, which is still available. The Galaxy A56 is anticipated to launch soon, with an introduction price of $500.
After the announcement of the A36 and A56, deals for the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE became scarce, but they have now returned. An 8/128GB unit is priced at $500, matching the A56. Nevertheless, the FE variant is equipped with a superior chipset (Exynos 2400e compared to 1580), enhanced water resistance (IP68 versus IP67), and includes a telephoto camera (8MP 3x/75mm).
This model also offers DeX support. However, it comes with a smaller battery that charges slower via USB-C (4,700mAh, 25W versus 5,000mAh, 45W), although it does feature a wireless charging option (15W). Both devices are promised 6 major OS updates, ensuring a lengthy software support period.
The Samsung Galaxy A36 is now available for $340. While it shares similarities with the A56, it compromises performance for a lower price point (featuring Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 and UFS 2.2 storage instead of UFS 3.1), and its aluminum frame has been replaced with plastic. For a thorough comparison, check out our Galaxy A36 vs. A56 article.
The OnePlus 13R retails for $500 and offers more RAM and storage compared to the S24 FE (12/256GB versus 8/128GB). Even though the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is slightly older, it still outpaces the Exynos 2400e. Additionally, it features a massive 6,000mAh battery with rapid 80W wired charging. Its triple camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor (1/1.56”), a 50MP 2x (47mm) portrait camera, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. The display is a 6.78” LTPO panel, which is not available on the FE model.
The Google Pixel 9 is on the pricier side, yet it stands out for its compact design, featuring a 6.3” display and measuring 72mm in width, while the S24 FE is wider at 77.3mm. This model boasts a superior main camera (50MP 1/1.31” versus 1/1.57”) and an ultra-wide camera (48MP compared to 12MP), though it lacks a dedicated telephoto lens. Its battery capacity is nearly the same at 4,700mAh, supporting 27W wired and 15W wireless charging.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro incorporates the previously missing telephoto camera, featuring a 48MP 5x (113mm) periscope lens, and enhances the selfie camera with a 42MP sensor and 17mm ultra-wide lens. It also boasts a better display with increased pixel density and an LTPO panel. This flagship is priced at a premium but provides a unique compact flagship option. For more details, refer to our Google Pixel 9 vs. 9 Pro article.
For those who prefer larger devices, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL offers the same specs as the Pro version, but with a bigger screen (6.8” compared to 6.3”) and a larger battery (5,060mAh versus 4,700mAh), along with slightly quicker charging (37W/23W as opposed to 27W/21W). More details can be found in our comparison article.
Despite a significant discount, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is still about $150 pricier than the Pixel 9 Pro XL, featuring a 200MP main camera (1/1.3”) and a 50MP 5x periscope lens (111mm). Here’s how they stack up against the Pixel cameras.
If you’re in the market for a flagship under $1,000, the OnePlus 13 is a great option thanks to its current discount. It boasts the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset as that of the Galaxy and outperforms the Tensor G4 in benchmarks. Its triple 50MP camera features a 1/1.43” primary sensor and a 3x (73mm) telephoto. Additionally, it has a large 6,000mAh battery that supports 80W wired and 50W wireless charging. For more insights, check our OnePlus 13 vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra comparison.
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