10 hours ago
Samsung Galaxy A36 review: I expected more for $400
Samsung's midrange phones are a mixed bag. The Galaxy A16 is an excellent value for under $200, and I eagerly await the release of the Galaxy A56 in the United States. However, last year's Galaxy A35 seemed overpriced, and I disagreed with the initial MSRP of the Galaxy S24 FE. Midrange phones are about compromise, but Samsung doesn't always cut costs in the right areas.
I had high hopes for this year's Galaxy A36. I've used its Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset in another phone and was pleased by its performance. Even for $400, if Samsung could provide a smooth experience with an excellent display and six years of software support, I'd count it as a win. Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed, and I would think long and hard before making the Galaxy A36 your next smartphone.
The Samsung Galaxy A36 is available through Samsung, Best Buy, and Amazon for $400. The base configuration includes 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Samsung has a 256GB variant listed on its site but is currently out of stock. You can choose between two colors: Awesome Black or Awesome Lavender for your Galaxy A36.
The phone is available unlocked through Samsung, but you can purchase carrier-specific models to take advantage of any discounts. I had no problems with connectivity on AT&T, as I had fast speeds and good coverage. Samsung devices generally perform well with most carriers, including smaller MVNOs.
The Samsung Galaxy A36 feels great in the hand. It's relatively thin, at just 7.4mm, and weighs 191g. The phone is protected on both the front and back by Gorilla Glass Victus+, a feature not typically found in this price range. Its frame is still plastic, but I don't mind that — it doesn't feel cheap.
The Galaxy A36 also features a microSD card slot, which is essential for many who want to store their data locally without relying on cloud storage. It carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, so you can have some peace of mind if you drop it into a sink. Samsung did well with the design, but the screen is even better.
If you're considering a Samsung Galaxy A36, I'd focus on two key aspects: the display and software. It includes a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED 1080p panel that refreshes at 120Hz. The Galaxy A36's display has excellent contrast and saturated colors. Its tones are more natural than those on the Moto G Stylus 2025, but some prefer that. Movies look fantastic with the darker tones, and vibrant games like Pokémon GO pop off the screen. Samsung ships some of my favorite smartphone displays, and I appreciate that the company includes them on less expensive phones.
The Samsung Galaxy A36 and Moto G Stylus 2025 feature the same Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, and I had the opportunity to use both side by side. In testing, the Moto G Stylus performed better. Everything was smoother, and I didn't experience nearly as much lag and slowdowns on the G Stylus as I did on the Galaxy A36. Neither one will be confused as having flagship performance, but the Moto did a better job getting me to forget that.
I'm sure software plays a role, as One UI 7 is a heavier skin of Android than Hello UI found on the G Stylus. But I think there's a larger culprit: a lack of RAM. Samsung only equipped the Galaxy A36 with 6GB of RAM, which doesn't cut it for $400. Moto includes 8GB with the G Stylus, as does Google with the slightly more expensive Pixel 9a.
More RAM helps keep the user experience smooth, especially on devices powered by midrange chipsets. I expected more impressive performance on the Galaxy A36. It's not unusable, and most apps run well, especially for daily tasks or scrolling through Instagram, but it falls short.
I mentioned that the display is one reason you'd buy a Galaxy A36 and the software is the other. Samsung promises six years of OS upgrades and security patches for the Galaxy A36, an impressive amount of support for the $400 price tag.
One UI 7 runs smoothly, and while you won't get a full slate of Galaxy AI features, I don't consider that a negative. The Galaxy A36 isn't wholly devoid of AI goodies, as you still get Circle to Search and Object Eraser. Gemini Live is just a long press away for any questions you have, and AI will suggest ways to edit your photos for the best results.
I enjoy the changes Samsung made to One UI 7. The company's software desperately needed a fresh coat of paint, and features like a scrolling app drawer were long overdue. Samsung's Now Bar has grown on me, especially for sports scores and turn-by-turn navigation in Google Maps. If software and support are your top priorities, the Galaxy A36 is your best choice.
As expected, I get all-day battery life on the Galaxy A36 with a healthy mix of casual use and light gaming. I can stretch it into a second day, but I'm searching for a charger by midday. Samsung included a 5,000mAh cell with 45W charging. That's not exactly OnePlus charging speeds, but it's better than what we're used to from Samsung with midrange devices, and the Galaxy A36 tops off quickly. Unfortunately, there's no wireless charging, but that's far from a dealbreaker for $400.
I wasn't expecting excellent performance from the Galaxy A36's triple camera setup, but I was pleasantly surprised. The 50MP primary sensor does well in good lighting, producing crisp images with good color saturation.
I don't mind a bit of embellishment with my colors in photos, but the Galaxy A36 captured the tones I saw and enhanced them just a touch. Nighttime photography was a mixed bag, but that's what I expected for $400. I took plenty of decent shots in low lighting and never noticed the details getting soft. In post-processing, the camera tends to oversaturate colors at night, but I'll settle for that.
The phone's 8MP ultrawide sensor and 5MP macro lens are fine in a pinch, but there's a noticeable drop-off in image quality. Overall, you'll be pleased with the cameras on the Galaxy A36.
I must admit that my opinion of the Galaxy A36 is somewhat tainted by another phone in the Samsung lineup. I've used the Galaxy A56, which is only currently available overseas, but Samsung promises a US release sometime this year.
It's a fantastic device that noticeably outperforms the Galaxy A36 for just $50 more. You get a more premium build with improved cameras and snappier performance. I can't help but think Samsung is holding it back because there would be no reason to consider a Galaxy A36 once the A56 arrives, especially since I often see sales dip the Galaxy A56 price below $400.
For the second year in a row, the Galaxy A56 is what the Galaxy A36 should've been, even if Samsung insisted on charging us another $50.
My recommendation is mixed. If you're picking up a Galaxy A36 on an excellent carrier deal for just a few bucks a month, you'll be satisfied. It's a solid smartphone with fantastic software support.
However, if you're paying full price, it's worth considering other midrange phones, such as the Pixel 9a and the Moto G Stylus 2025. If you can wait for the Galaxy A56, you'll be better served. However, for a good deal, you won't regret picking up a Galaxy A36.
