Samsung continues to refine its mid-range smartphone lineup with the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G. Positioned between budget-friendly and premium models, the A36 5G brings several notable upgrades while retaining the affordability and reliability that the Galaxy A series is known for. Let’s take a closer look at its design, display, performance, camera, battery, and software to see how it stacks up against its competitors.
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G follows Samsung’s modern design language with sleeker bezels and a refined body. The phone measures 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm and weighs 195g, making it relatively slim and lightweight for its class.
The phone features a plastic back and frame, which may not feel as premium as glass-backed devices, but it helps keep costs down. It also comes with IP67 water and dust resistance, offering better durability than many other mid-range competitors (PhoneArena).
Display: AMOLED Excellence
Samsung has improved the display on the Galaxy A36 5G, equipping it with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,200 nits peak brightness. This is a significant upgrade from previous A-series models that had lower brightness levels (PhoneArena).
The higher refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and improved responsiveness, making the phone ideal for media consumption and gaming.
Performance and Hardware
The Galaxy A36 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, which delivers solid performance for daily tasks, gaming, and multitasking. Benchmarks indicate a significant improvement over its predecessor, with higher scores in Geekbench and 3DMark tests compared to lower-end A-series models (PhoneArena).
Memory & Storage:
- 6GB RAM for efficient multitasking
- 128GB internal storage, expandable via microSD card slot, which is a welcome feature often missing in premium phones (PhoneArena).
Cameras: Functional but Not Revolutionary
Samsung has maintained the triple-camera setup from the previous A35 model:
- 50MP main sensor for crisp shots
- 8MP ultrawide lens for landscape and group photos
- 5MP macro lens, which is mostly a filler feature and not widely useful
On the front, there’s a 12MP selfie camera, slightly lower than the 13MP sensor from its predecessor, but still capable of taking good selfies (PhoneArena).
The camera system lacks flagship-level features but does well in good lighting conditions. Samsung’s software enhancements like Circle to Search and Object Eraser (AI-powered editing tools) help improve the experience (PhoneArena).
Battery Life & Charging
The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, ensuring all-day battery life, even with heavy use.
One notable upgrade is 45W fast charging, an improvement over previous models that only supported 25W charging. This means significantly faster recharging times (PhoneArena).
However, wireless charging is not supported, as Samsung reserves this feature for higher-end models (PhoneArena).
Software and Features
The Galaxy A36 5G runs on Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI 7. Samsung has committed to six years of software updates, which is impressive for a mid-range phone. This ensures long-term security and feature upgrades (PhoneArena).
Notable Features:
- AI Enhancements – Samsung has introduced “Awesome Intelligence,” a lightweight AI suite with features like Circle to Search and Object Eraser.
- Improved Privacy Settings – Android 15 allows users to manage sensitive notifications better.
- App Archiving – Users can temporarily remove unused apps without losing data.
- No 3.5mm Headphone Jack – Users will need USB-C or Bluetooth audio solutions (PhoneArena).
Connectivity and Network
The Galaxy A36 5G supports a variety of connectivity options:
✔ 5G connectivity for faster mobile data speeds
✔ Wi-Fi 6 support for better wireless performance
✔ Bluetooth 5.3 for improved device connectivity
✔ NFC support, making it compatible with mobile payments like Samsung Pay
✔ GPS, A-GPS, Glonass, and more for accurate navigation (PhoneArena).
Pros & Cons
Pros:
✔ Bright 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
✔ Strong performance with Snapdragon 6 Gen 3
✔ Long battery life with 5,000mAh capacity
✔ 45W fast charging support
✔ IP67 water and dust resistance
✔ Expandable storage with microSD slot
✔ 6 years of software updates
Cons:
✖ Plastic build instead of premium materials
✖ Camera system lacks major improvements
✖ No wireless charging
✖ No headphone jack
Final Verdict: A Strong Mid-Range Contender
The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is a well-rounded mid-range phone with a bright AMOLED display, solid performance, and long-lasting battery life. While it lacks major camera upgrades and wireless charging, it makes up for it with AI features, fast charging, and long-term software support.
If you’re looking for a reliable and feature-packed mid-range phone, the Galaxy A36 5G is a great option (PhoneArena). However, if you prioritize camera performance, you may want to explore alternatives in Samsung’s Galaxy S series.
