Samsung Galaxy A36 5G review: A solid mid-ranger

Time of India

3 days ago

3.5/5
Samsung has expanded its A-series lineup with the launch of the Galaxy A36 5G. Priced at Rs 30,999, the smartphone brings a mix of updated hardware and software support aimed at users looking for a long-term Android device. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset and comes with One UI 7 based on Android 15. Samsung is promising up to six major Android upgrades, and has added other features like a 12MP front camera, Circle to Search, stereo speakers and a design that stays in line with Samsung's recent smartphones. In this review, we take a closer look at how the Galaxy A36 5G performs in daily use and whether it justifies its price tag.
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G design and display
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
follows a familiar design language but brings a few changes. It features a flat dual-glass design with a flat plastic frame. The front is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, while the back is glossy and reflective. We used the Lavender variant, which shows different shades depending on how the light hits it. While the back picks up smudges quickly, the glossy finish helps minimize visible fingerprints.
The frame has a matte finish, offering a different look from Samsung's higher A-series models, where the frame has a brushed metal-like design. The phone is IP67-rated for dust and water resistance, which adds an extra layer of durability.
On the back, there is a long black strip housing the cameras, which are the same ones found on the Galaxy A35. The earpiece above the camera also acts as a stereo speaker, complementing the one at the bottom.
The bottom of the frame holds two microphones, a dual nano-SIM slot, and a second speaker. One thing to note is that there is no microSD card support this time around.
The front of the Galaxy A36 is mostly occupied by the 6.7-inch AMOLED display. It offers a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels (around 385ppi) and supports a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen is flat and has a small hole-punch cutout at the center for the updated 12MP selfie camera.
In terms of display performance, the Galaxy A36 offers two refresh rate modes: Standard and Adaptive. Standard mode locks the screen at 60Hz, while Adaptive tries to keep it at 120Hz whenever possible, falling back to 60Hz during static content or video playback to save power. The screen looks sharp and colorful in daily use, though the lack of official HDR support is noticeable. Streaming apps like Netflix do not provide HDR content, but YouTube does offer HDR playback up to 4K. Display performance outdoors was satisfactory with adequate brightness levels to use even under sunlight.
The phone also comes with an optical under-display fingerprint scanner. It works reliably for unlocking the device, though it could have been a little faster.
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G performance
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm process. Our review unit had 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.x storage. There are also 8GB + 256GB and 12GB RAM options available.
In day-to-day use, the Galaxy A36 handles regular tasks like browsing, messaging, watching videos, and switching between apps without much trouble. Casual gaming runs fine too, though heavier games might require lowering the graphics settings for smoother performance. Overall, the device delivers what can be expected from a mid-range smartphone and remains stable during multitasking.
One UI 7, based on Android 15, comes pre-installed on the device. Samsung has promised up to six major Android upgrades and six years of security patches, ensuring long-term usability. The software experience is clean and familiar for Samsung users, with some useful additions.
One new feature is AI Select, an enhanced version of Smart Select from earlier One UI versions. It can now analyze the screen more intelligently and offer actions like extracting text from images, making quick photo clippings, or setting wallpapers directly from photos you have open. Google's Circle to Search is also available, making it easy to search anything on-screen without switching apps.
Samsung's native Gallery app includes the Object Eraser tool for removing unwanted parts of a photo. It works decently for basic edits, though it is not always perfect and results can vary depending on the image.
The sound quality on the Galaxy A36 is quite good for its segment. The stereo speakers offer clear vocals, strong bass, and a decent high-frequency response. While it does not match flagship levels, it is more than enough for watching videos, gaming, and casual music listening.
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G camera
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G features a triple-camera setup at the back, similar to the Galaxy A35. It includes a 50MP primary camera with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide camera, and a 5MP macro sensor. For selfies, there is a new 12MP front camera placed inside the hole-punch cutout.
In daily use, the 50MP main camera delivers good photos in daylight. Pictures have a decent amount of detail, balanced colors, and a wide dynamic range. The sharpness is usually good, although in very bright scenes, we noticed some minor overexposure. Autofocus is reliable and fairly quick.
Low-light photos from the main camera are usable, but they tend to lose some detail and sharpness. The camera app usually switches to Night Mode automatically in darker scenes, which improves the brightness and clarity a bit, but there is still some visible noise.
The 8MP ultrawide camera is fine for casual shots. It captures wider scenes without major distortion around the edges. However, there is a noticeable drop in detail compared to the main camera, especially in low-light conditions.
The 5MP macro camera is serviceable for close-up shots, but getting the focus right can sometimes take a few tries. It works best in bright light and from the right distance.
The 12MP selfie camera is a solid upgrade. Selfies come out sharp with decent color reproduction in good lighting. Skin tones look more natural. In low light, selfies remain usable, though they can sometimes look a little softer.
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G battery
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G comes with the same 5,000mAh battery seen in the predecessor A-series model. In daily use, the battery performance is solid. With moderate usage — which includes browsing, social media, some gaming, video streaming, and regular calls — the phone comfortably lasts a full day, often stretching into the next morning with lighter use.
The phone takes about 80-85 minutes to go from 0% to 100%. A quick 30-minute charge can get the battery to around 45-50%, which should be enough to get through several hours of use.
Verdict
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G, priced at Rs 30,999 (onwards), offers a familiar yet dependable package for users looking for a mid-range Android phone with long-term software support. With a durable design, smooth AMOLED display, stable day-to-day performance, and reliable battery life, it covers the basics well. The cameras perform decently in good lighting, though low-light performance leaves some room for improvement. Features like AI Select, Circle to Search, and promised six years of updates add extra value. Overall, the Galaxy A36 5G is a solid option for those prioritizing software longevity and a consistent user experience at this price.
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