Samsung Galaxy A36 5G Review: Budget Beast or Just Another Mid-Ranger?
Meta Description: Thinking of buying the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G? Here’s a full hands-on review covering performance, camera, battery, design & more. Is it worth your money in 2025?
Introduction:
Let’s be honest—mid-range phones are getting smarter, smoother, and stylish by the day. And in 2025, Samsung wants a piece of the action again with its latest Galaxy A36 5G. But the big question is—does it stand out in the crowded ₹20K-₹25K segment, or is it just another forgettable launch?
I got my hands on the A36 5G, used it for a week, tested it like a typical Indian user (OTT binge, gaming, selfies, WhatsApp video calls and what not), and here’s my full experience.
Design & Build: Sleek But Familiar
The first time I held the A36 5G, it felt... familiar. It carries the same sleek DNA we’ve seen in recent Galaxy A-series phones—matte finish back, slim profile (7.9mm) and a lightweight feel (around 180g).
The back has a minimalistic look with three vertically stacked camera lenses and the iconic Samsung logo at the bottom. No flashy textures or weird gradients—just clean and classy.
Available Colors: Graphite Black, Mint Green, and Ice Blue (my pick!).
Build Quality Rating: 8/10
Samsung could've given Gorilla Glass protection or IP rating, but hey, budget phone compromises.
Display: Smooth, Bright & Scroll-Friendly
The 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display is arguably the highlight of the A36. It’s bright, crisp, and supports 120Hz refresh rate—smooth as butter when scrolling Instagram or playing games.
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Brightness: 1000 nits (good for outdoor use)
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Colors: Vivid and punchy, typical Samsung style
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Protection: No Gorilla Glass mentioned, so use a screen guard ASAP!
Display Rating: 9/10
In this price segment, Samsung nailed it.
Performance: Can Handle Your Daily Hustle
Under the hood, the Galaxy A36 5G packs a Snapdragon 695 chipset with 6GB/8GB RAM and 128GB storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD).
Now, is it a gaming phone? Not really. But is it laggy? Definitely not.
Real-World Usage:
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Multitasking: Smooth between Chrome, YouTube, WhatsApp.
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Gaming: Played BGMI on medium settings without major heating.
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RAM Plus: Adds virtual RAM up to 8GB for extra oomph.
Performance Rating: 7.5/10
It’s reliable for day-to-day tasks, but not a power performer.
Software & UI: Clean One UI 6.1 Experience
Samsung’s One UI 6.1 based on Android 14 is polished, intuitive, and loaded with useful features like Secure Folder, Link to Windows, and Samsung Wallet.
Bonus: Samsung promises 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches. That’s rare in this segment!
UI Rating: 9/10
Clean, bloat-controlled, and future-proof.
Camera: Good Clicks, Great Selfies
On the rear, the A36 5G features a 50MP main sensor, 8MP ultra-wide, and a 2MP macro lens. The front houses a 13MP selfie camera.
Daylight Shots: Bright, detailed, with decent dynamic range.
Low Light: Average. Needs Night Mode for better output.
Ultra-Wide: Good for group shots, slight edge softness.
Selfies: Surprisingly good skin tones and edge detection in portrait mode.
Camera Rating: 7.5/10
Not flagship level, but solid for casual users and Insta-friendly shots.
Battery Life: All-Day Champion
With a 5000mAh battery, this phone is a marathon runner.
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Screen-on time: 7-8 hours
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Charging: 25W fast charging (0 to 50% in ~30 mins)
Charger not included in the box—another cost-cutting trick.
Battery Rating: 8.5/10
Reliable, but would’ve loved faster charging at this point.
Connectivity: 5G, Dual SIM, and More
The A36 5G supports all major Indian 5G bands, along with VoNR (Voice over 5G). Plus, you get:
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Dual SIM support
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Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1
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Side-mounted fingerprint scanner (fast & accurate)
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No 3.5mm headphone jack (RIP wired earphones lovers)
Who Should Buy the Galaxy A36 5G?
Ideal for:
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Students & casual users wanting a stylish, smooth Samsung phone
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OTT lovers who value good display & battery
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Selfie enthusiasts and light gamers
Skip if you:
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Want flagship performance or heavy gaming
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Need stereo speakers or premium build materials
Verdict: Value or Meh?
The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G strikes a solid balance between design, display, and software support. While the processor isn’t the fastest in the game, it’s decent enough for everyday use. Add that bright AMOLED panel, One UI perks, and long-term updates—this phone becomes a smart buy for under ₹25,000.
Future Loop Rating: 8.2/10
Pros:
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Vibrant 120Hz AMOLED Display
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Samsung’s software update promise
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Great battery life
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Sleek, lightweight design
Cons:
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No charger in the box
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Only average low-light camera
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No stereo speakers
Price in India:
Starts at ₹22,999 (Flipkart, Amazon, Samsung Store)
Final Words:
The A36 5G might not shake the industry, but it surely delivers where it matters for most users in India. If you’re loyal to Samsung or looking for a trustworthy Android experience—this is one to consider.
