Introduction
Samsungâs Galaxy A series has always been about bringing flagship-level experiences to the mid-range market. Over the years, devices like the Galaxy A30, A31, and A32 have consistently offered solid performance at attractive prices. Now, in 2025, Samsung introduces the Galaxy A36 5G, a phone designed to continue that tradition but with several major upgrades.
In this detailed review, we’ll take a close look at every aspect of the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G, from design and performance to camera capabilities, battery life, and more. Whether you are new to smartphones or a seasoned tech enthusiast, this guide has something for you.
Design and Build: Simple Yet Elegant
The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G doesnât try too hard to stand out, and thatâs a good thing. Its design is clean, modern, and practical. Samsung has given the phone a matte plastic back that resists fingerprints surprisingly well, and the subtle camera island blends nicely into the frame.
The phone feels sturdy and solid in the hand without being overly heavy. Weighing just about 190 grams, it strikes a balance between durability and comfort. The rounded corners and slim profile make it easy to use one-handed, even though it features a sizable 6.6-inch display.
Samsung offers the Galaxy A36 5G in several eye-catching colors like Ice Blue, Charcoal Black, and Blossom Pink, appealing to a broad range of tastes.
Display: Bright, Smooth, and Responsive
Samsung has always excelled at screens, and even in its mid-range lineup, the quality remains impressive. The Galaxy A36 5G comes with a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED panel with Full HD+ resolution. The display is vibrant, with deep blacks and punchy colors, providing an excellent viewing experience whether you’re gaming, watching Netflix, or scrolling through social media.
A big upgrade this year is the refresh rate. The A36 5G supports a 120Hz refresh rate, making every swipe and scroll feel buttery smooth. For a phone in this price range, such fluidity used to be rare, but Samsung continues to push standards higher.
Outdoor visibility is great as well, thanks to a peak brightness of around 1000 nits. Whether youâre under the sun or indoors, the Galaxy A36 5Gâs screen wonât disappoint.
Performance: Built for Everyday and More
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is powered by the Exynos 1480 chipset, paired with the Xclipse 530 GPU â the same graphics processor architecture used in higher-end Galaxy S models, although tuned down for mid-range needs.
In everyday use, the phone performs effortlessly. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is smooth, and switching between heavy apps like Instagram, YouTube, and games feels almost instantaneous. Games like Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG Mobile, and Asphalt 9 run well at medium to high settings, with minimal frame drops.
For an average user who relies on messaging, video streaming, casual gaming, and social media, the Galaxy A36 5G provides plenty of power. Even tech-savvy users looking to push the phone with more demanding apps wonât find many reasons to complain.
Software Experience: Samsungâs One UI 6.1
The phone comes out of the box with Android 14, layered with Samsungâs own One UI 6.1 skin. One UI is known for its clean look, rich customization options, and thoughtful features designed to make Android more user-friendly.
Features like Edge Panels, Secure Folder, and the extensive theming options are all here. Plus, Samsung promises up to four years of software updates and five years of security patches, a major advantage over most mid-range competition.
For users upgrading from older Samsung models or even from other brands, the learning curve is almost nonexistent. The interface is intuitive, responsive, and smooth, helping even beginners feel comfortable quickly.
Cameras: Reliable and Versatile
The Galaxy A36 5G is equipped with a triple camera setup:
- 50MP Main Sensor (f/1.8, OIS)
- 8MP Ultra-Wide Lens
- 2MP Depth Sensor
The main camera is the real star here. It captures sharp, detailed images with accurate colors during the day. Thanks to Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), low-light shots are also decent, reducing blur and capturing more light. Night mode further enhances nighttime photography, balancing exposure and detail better than many competitors at this price point.
The ultra-wide lens is useful for landscape shots or group photos, though images from it can sometimes appear softer compared to the main sensor. The depth sensor assists with portrait mode shots, delivering natural-looking background blur.
Selfie lovers will appreciate the 13MP front camera, which captures sharp and vibrant photos. Video recording supports up to 4K at 30fps from the rear camera, and stabilization does a good job of keeping footage steady even while walking.
Battery Life: All-Day Powerhouse
The Galaxy A36 5G is powered by a 5000mAh battery, a size that has become almost standard in mid-range smartphones but still very much appreciated. Thanks to the efficient Exynos 1480 processor and optimized One UI software, the phone easily lasts a full day with moderate to heavy usage.
Whether youâre streaming videos, playing games, browsing, or taking photos, you can comfortably get through a long day without needing to plug in. Casual users who mainly stick to messaging and light app use could even stretch it into a day and a half.
Charging is decent, with 25W fast charging support. While itâs not the fastest charging in the world, it still refuels the phone from 0 to around 60% in about 30 minutes.
5G and Connectivity: Ready for the Future
As the name suggests, the Galaxy A36 5G supports full 5G connectivity, allowing users to tap into faster network speeds where available. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more stable internet connections at home or work.
Other connectivity features like Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and a reliable in-display fingerprint sensor are present and work seamlessly.
Samsung continues to retain the IP67 water and dust resistance rating for the A36 5G, giving users extra peace of mind against accidental splashes and dusty environments.
Audio and Haptics: A Pleasant Surprise
Mid-range phones often compromise on audio quality, but not here. The Galaxy A36 5G comes equipped with stereo speakers that provide loud, clear sound with decent bass for its category. Watching videos or playing games without headphones remains a pleasurable experience.
Haptics â or the vibration feedback â has also improved. While it’s not quite at flagship levels, it feels more refined compared to older A-series models, making typing and system feedback feel much more satisfying.
Pricing: Competitive and Reasonable
Samsung has priced the Galaxy A36 5G aggressively, positioning it as a strong contender against brands like OnePlus Nord series, Xiaomiâs Redmi Note Pro series, and Vivoâs mid-rangers. While exact prices vary by region, it is expected to be in the $350 to $400 range.
Given its display, performance, camera, software support, and Samsungâs brand trust, the A36 5G offers fantastic value for money.
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Galaxy A36 5G?
The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is a well-rounded device that ticks all the essential boxes without overextending itself. Itâs perfect for users who want a reliable, stylish, and powerful phone without breaking the bank.
For beginners, itâs easy to use and reliable. For advanced users, it still holds its own with excellent performance and solid cameras. If you value strong software support, good build quality, a great display, and the peace of mind that comes with Samsungâs after-sales service, the Galaxy A36 5G should be high on your shopping list.
In a world crowded with mid-range options, Samsung once again reminds us why it remains one of the most trusted names in mobile technology.
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