Samsung Galaxy A36 5G Review: A Solid Budget Option for 2025

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Design and Build Quality

The design of the Galaxy A36 5G is a subtle evolution over the previous A35. While there’s no major overhaul, it still sports a sleek, minimalist design with a few notable tweaks. The 6.7-inch display is larger than the A35’s 6.6-inch, and the bezels are slightly slimmer, although the chin area still feels a bit chunky. The phone is taller than its predecessor, but the top section is noticeably thinner. Samsung uses a plastic frame for the A36, but it features a brushed metal finish to give it a premium look and feel, without the typical plastic-y feel you often get with budget devices.

The rear panel is made from glass, specifically Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, ensuring good durability against scratches and drops. The camera arrangement has also been updated with a linear camera layout that looks clean and modern, although it’s not particularly groundbreaking. The phone is available in four colors: Awesome White, Awesome Black, Awesome Lime, and Awesome Lavender, with our review unit being the lime color, which shifts to a rainbow hue when light hits it at different angles.

At 205g, the A36 feels solid in hand, although it’s a little on the heavier side compared to some other mid-range devices. It’s also IP67 water and dust-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about it surviving the occasional splash or a brief dunk in water. One noticeable downside is that the A36 no longer supports microSD card expansion, which was available in the previous A35, though the base 128GB storage should be sufficient for most users. You get the usual volume and power buttons, the latter doubling as a fingerprint sensor, and stereo speakers for media playback.

Display Specs and Biometrics

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G comes with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, which is a nice upgrade over the IPS panel used in the previous model. It boasts a Full HD+ resolution, offering a crisp and vibrant viewing experience. While the display size is slightly larger than its predecessor, the bezels around the screen have also been slimmed down, though the chin still remains a bit noticeable. Colors are punchy and bright, and the contrast levels are deep, making the display great for media consumption.

One downside, however, is the 90Hz refresh rate, which is standard for many mid-range phones but not as high as some competitors that offer 120Hz for smoother scrolling and gaming. Nevertheless, the A36’s 90Hz refresh rate provides a fairly fluid experience during everyday use, and the display is more than capable of handling tasks like browsing, watching videos, or scrolling through social media.

In terms of multimedia, the stereo speaker setup delivers good sound quality, though the earpiece speaker is noticeably weaker than the bottom-mounted one. This does affect the overall balance, but the phone still gets pretty loud when cranked up to maximum volume. Watching YouTube videos or playing games is enjoyable, though it’s not going to deliver the immersive experience that higher-end flagships can offer. You do, however, have a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio, and the A36 also supports high-res audio over Bluetooth for those who prefer wireless listening.

Biometric security options include an optical in-display fingerprint sensor, which is fast and accurate, as well as Face Unlock, which also works pretty reliably. I personally prefer using the fingerprint sensor for security, as it tends to be more reliable, especially in low-light conditions. The inclusion of these biometric features is a nice touch at this price point, giving you both convenience and security.

Cameras Specs And Quality

The camera system on the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is an area where the phone makes both positive and negative impressions. The main camera consists of a 50MP primary sensor, paired with a 5MP depth sensor, while the front camera features a 13MP selfie shooter. While this is a typical camera setup for budget smartphones, it does deliver decent results for the price.

During daylight, the main camera captures sharp, reasonably detailed shots with good contrast. The colors are natural, and the dynamic range is sufficient for most lighting conditions. However, the lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) does lead to some noticeable blurriness when shooting in low light. The 5MP depth sensor is useful for portrait shots, but don’t expect any professional-level bokeh effects. It’s good enough for casual portrait shots, but not much more.

 

The low-light performance is where the A36 starts to show its limitations. Without OIS or Night Mode, the photos can look quite grainy and lacking in detail. You’ll also notice a significant drop in quality when zooming in on subjects, and while the AI features try to enhance these shots, they tend to smooth out details, making the photos look overprocessed. The A36’s camera struggles in poor lighting conditions, and while it’s adequate for quick snapshots, it’s not going to be your go-to phone for night photography.

On the front, the 13MP selfie camera does a decent job for social media posts and video calls. The photos are sharp, with decent detail and natural-looking colors. The portrait mode also works quite well, blurring out the background and leaving you in focus, but again, don’t expect any magic here. The camera app itself is intuitive and easy to use, with features like Portrait Mode, Pro Mode for manual controls, and a fun AI-based filters option.

When it comes to video recording, the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is capable of shooting up to 4K at 30fps with the rear camera. The video quality is decent, with clear audio capture and relatively smooth footage. However, the lack of stabilization means that videos may look shaky, particularly in low-light environments. The front camera can shoot 1080p video at 30fps, which is good for most casual vlogging or video calling scenarios.

Software Updates, And Apps

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G runs on One UI 7, which is based on Android 15. This is a feature-rich user interface that has been optimized for ease of use, especially on larger screens. Samsung has included its usual set of features like Multi-Window for multitasking, as well as an app drawer that can be customized to your liking. The UI is smooth and responsive, though there are some quirks that come with Samsung’s custom skin.

One standout feature is Samsung’s Game Launcher, which optimizes gaming performance by restricting background apps and notifications, and offers game-specific settings like performance tweaks. There’s also a section for personalizing the UI with themes, wallpapers, and icon packs. One UI also includes useful features like a one-handed mode, which reduces the size of the display for easier use with one hand, and Smart View for mirroring content to other devices.

While One UI 7 is a solid software experience, there’s a downside to its bloatware, as Samsung includes several apps that some users might not need or want. This includes Samsung’s own browser, Samsung Pay, and other Samsung-specific services. Thankfully, most of these apps can be uninstalled or disabled, though it’s still a hassle.

Performance and Chipsets

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, paired with 6GB of RAM. This combination offers a decent level of performance for everyday tasks, but it’s not built for high-end gaming or heavy multitasking. The Snapdragon 695 is an entry-level 5G chipset, which means that while it’s capable of running most apps and services smoothly, it does struggle with more demanding tasks.

In benchmark tests, the Galaxy A36 scores moderately well but falls behind more expensive models with higher-end processors. It can handle basic tasks such as browsing, social media, and media consumption with ease, but when it comes to gaming, it shows its limitations. Games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile run decently on lower settings, but frame rates can drop during intense gameplay. If you’re looking for a phone that can handle graphically intensive games, the A36 won’t be your best bet.

Overall, the A36’s performance is good for its price range, but it doesn’t shine when it comes to heavy-duty tasks. The software experience is smooth, and you won’t run into many hiccups, but if you need a phone that can handle everything, you may want to consider looking at higher-end models.

Battery Life And Charging Speed

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G comes with a 5,000mAh battery, which is the standard for most mid-range devices. In everyday use, this battery can easily last through a full day with moderate use, including browsing, social media, and video streaming. The A36 is efficient in managing its power, thanks to the Snapdragon 695 chipset and a relatively power-efficient display.

Battery life performance is impressive, with the phone lasting well over a day of light usage. It supports 45W fast charging, which can charge the device from 0 to 50% in just around 30 minutes. Unfortunately, there is no wireless charging, which is a feature some mid-range phones are now including. Still, the battery life should be more than sufficient for most users.

Connectivity

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G supports a wide array of connectivity options, including 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC. The 5G support ensures that you get faster data speeds when available, and the device performs well on both 4G and 5G networks. The Wi-Fi 5 support is standard for mid-range devices, ensuring a stable internet connection for browsing and streaming.

Bluetooth 5.1 ensures a stable connection with wireless peripherals, and NFC support is great for mobile payments or pairing with other devices. The phone also includes a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and it comes with dual SIM support for those who need to use two different numbers simultaneously. GPS is accurate, and the phone supports various location-based services like A-GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo.

Price

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is priced at $399 for the 128GB storage variant, making it a competitive option in the mid-range market. This price point puts it in direct competition with devices like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and Realme 11, both of which offer similar features at a slightly lower price. While the Galaxy A36 is a good device for the price, it faces tough competition from other brands offering similar performance and better camera setups.

Pros:

• 5G Connectivity: Enjoy faster download speeds and improved performance with 5G connectivity.
• Sleek and Durable Design: The A36 5G features a modern look with a glossy finish and is IP67 water and dust resistant for added durability.
• Good Battery Life: The 5,000mAh battery provides solid endurance, lasting a full day of usage.
• Quality Display: 6.7-inch AMOLED display with good color accuracy and deep blacks for an immersive experience.
• Affordable Price: At around $399, the A36 5G offers solid mid-range features at a competitive price point.
• Long Software Support: Samsung promises up to 6 years of OS and security updates, providing longevity for the device.

Cons:

• Limited Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 695, the performance may not meet the expectations for heavy gaming or demanding tasks.
• No MicroSD Support: Unlike previous models, the A36 5G does not include a microSD card slot for expandable storage.
• No High Refresh Rate: While the display is good, it lacks a high refresh rate (only 90Hz), which might disappoint users used to smoother experiences.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is a solid mid-range smartphone that provides a good balance of features at an affordable price. While it may not have the top-tier performance or cutting-edge features found in premium devices, it offers a solid build, a decent camera, and long-term software support, which are key selling points in this price range. The 5G support is a nice bonus, and the phone’s battery life is impressive for daily use.

However, there are some drawbacks, such as the lack of expandable storage, lower-end gaming performance, and the absence of a higher refresh rate display. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that will handle everyday tasks, social media, and media consumption with ease, the A36 is a good choice.

But if you’re a gamer or need more advanced features, you might want to explore other options. Still, with Samsung’s reputation for quality and long-term software support, the A36 offers great value for its price.

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