The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is the latest addition to the brand’s ever-expanding mid-range lineup. With competitors like Nothing, OnePlus, and iQOO pushing the boundaries in this segment, does Samsung’s new offering stand out? After two weeks of usage, here’s a breakdown of the A36’s design, performance, camera, and software.
At first glance, the Galaxy A36 maintains Samsung’s familiar aesthetic, featuring a sleek design with a glossy plastic back. It feels sturdy, though not as premium as some rivals that use glass or metal. The 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, with a 120Hz refresh rate ensuring smooth scrolling and animations. The bezels are slim, though the slightly noticeable chin detracts from the overall modern look.
Under the hood, the Galaxy A36 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1380 chipset, paired with 6GB or 8GB of RAM. Daily tasks like social media browsing, video streaming, and casual gaming run smoothly. However, it struggles with heavier tasks like high-end gaming, where occasional frame drops can be noticed. The 5,000mAh battery is reliable, lasting a full day with moderate to heavy use, and the 25W fast charging ensures you’re back up quickly.
The triple-camera setup includes a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro camera. The main camera delivers good detail and dynamic range in daylight but struggles in low light due to the absence of optical image stabilization (OIS). The ultrawide lens captures decent shots, though distortion at the edges is noticeable. The 13MP front camera is great for selfies and video calls, producing natural-looking skin tones.
Running on One UI 6 based on Android 14, the software experience is smooth and feature-packed. Samsung’s UI brings useful customizations, but the presence of pre-installed apps (bloatware) is a minor drawback. Regular updates and security patches are a plus.
The Samsung Galaxy A36 is a capable mid-range phone with a vibrant display, decent performance, and a long-lasting battery. However, with minor upgrades over its predecessor, it may not be a must-buy for those already using recent A-series models. If you’re looking for a reliable Samsung phone with 5G connectivity and a solid UI experience, the A36 is a worthy contender.
