Samsung Galaxy A36 Review
Gadgets

Samsung Galaxy A36 Review

Samsung Galaxy A36 Combines Premium Features with Mid-Range Pricing for Exceptional Long-Term Value

Written By : Harpreet Singh Kapula

Samsung Galaxy A36 is one of the smart mid-range offerings for which the price is hard to resist. Released at US$369.99 in March 2025, the phone brings a lot of high-end features into the mid-range price bracket. Now let us dive deeper into what makes the phone stand out. 

Design

The Galaxy A36 boasts a modern design with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back. Discounted with a plastic frame, nevertheless, it still feels solid in hand. At 7.4mm thin, it somehow manages to disguise its place as a mid-range phone and remains rather premium.

Pros

There are a couple of design choices taken for A36 that also positively affect user experience. With IP67 water and dust resistance, the A36 will suffer no harm from an accidental spill or slight rain. The slim profile of 7.4mm adds a more premium feel when holding the device. Both the front and back of the phone are made of Gorilla Glass Victus+, giving superior resistance to scratches and durability, which is very rare at this price point.

Cons

The above benefits must be weighed against a few design compromises. A plastic frame instead of an aluminum one is the reason for the lower cost, even if it does not feel as premium as metal-framed rivals. At 195 grams, the phone feels relatively heavy in the middle-class smartphone lot. Holding the phone in one hand can be problematic for small-handed users due to the huge 6.7-inch display. 

Display

The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display serves as the centerpiece of the Galaxy A36 experience. It offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and responsive touch input. The screen gets exceptionally bright with peaks of 1900 nits making it easily viewable even in direct sunlight.

Pros

The display brings several premium features to this price segment. The Super AMOLED technology produces vibrant colors and perfect blacks that enhance media consumption and gaming. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything from scrolling social media to playing games feel smoother and more responsive. The always-on display function provides convenient access to time and notifications without waking the phone.

Cons

Some limitations of the display are worth noting. The resolution at 1080 x 2340 pixels (385 ppi) is adequate but not as sharp as higher-end phones. The lack of LTPO technology means the refresh rate doesn't dynamically adjust to save battery. The large screen size increases power consumption, which can impact battery life during heavy use.

Performance

The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor powers the Galaxy A36 with an octa-core CPU configuration. Available in multiple RAM configurations from 6GB to 12GB the phone handles everyday tasks with ease. Benchmark results show solid mid-range performance with an AnTuTu score of 613492.

Pros

The performance offers several advantages for typical users. Day-to-day apps launch quickly and run smoothly without noticeable lag. The multiple RAM options let buyers choose based on their multitasking needs and budget. Thermal management during extended use is well-implemented preventing uncomfortable heat buildup during longer usage sessions.

Cons

Performance limitations become apparent in more demanding scenarios. Intensive gaming at high settings shows the mid-range nature of the processor with occasional frame drops. The UFS 2.2 storage, while adequate, is noticeably slower than the UFS 3.0/3.1 found in premium devices. Heavy multitaskers may notice apps reloading more frequently in the background compared to flagship phones.

Software

The Galaxy A36 runs on Android 15, with Samsung's One UI 7 interface layered on top. With Samsung committed to providing an unprecedented six major Android updates, the Galaxy A36 will be one of the most future-proof mid-range phones available on the market today.

Pros

The software experience has advantages that add more value to the deal. The unprecedented six-year update promise means that the phone will be kept current until 2031, potentially outliving many other premium devices. One UI 7 is a neat yet feature-packed experience, including handy features like Circle to Search for instant information search. With Samsung's Knox, the phone comes with enterprise-grade security features to protect personal information.

Cons

Few software disadvantages can hurt this otherwise great experience. There are several pre-installed apps that some users may lack use for, commonly named bloatware by the critics of Samsung. The extensive customization of One UI drains more resources than the light Android implementations. Some Samsung extras overlap with their Google equivalents, creating unnecessary confusion. 

Camera

The triple camera system consists of a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization, an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 5MP macro lens. The front houses a 12MP selfie camera capable of 4K video recording.

Pros

The camera features a few excellent points. The main 50MP sensor with OIS captures beautifully detailed pictures with a good dynamic range under reasonably well-lit conditions. The ultrawide camera provides creative flexibility with its 123-degree field of view. Impressive 4K videos with electronic stabilization will make motion videos smoother.

Cons

Some drawbacks can be identified with the camera system during use. The 5MP macro can hardly be described as useful, feeling rather more like a specifications checkbox. There is no optical zoom, and hence all zoom layers are digital, leading to loss of quality while zooming in. No low-light performance, which in comparison with a flagship may have far more noise than detail in such darker environments. 

Battery

The Galaxy A36 runs on a 5000mAh battery lasting through regular use days. Samsung includes 45W fast charging support which delivers a quick power boost when needed. In testing, this scored an active battery life of 11 hours and 38 minutes of screen time.

Pros

Battery performance provides several advantages for everyday users. It holds enough capacity to last more than a standard working day of moderate to heavy usage without having to charge the phone at midday. With fast charging rated at 45W, power can be fed very quickly, up to 66% charge in 30 minutes. The power-saving tweaks ensure longer use of the battery despite less efficient screen resolution due to the 120Hz refresh.

Cons

Some disadvantages of the battery should be considered. Despite being rather standard for applications in a mid-range phone today, there's no wireless charging. Following trends in the industry today, it is safe to say that the fast charger is predicted to be sold separately; hence, the total cost of ownership becomes high. The battery will drain faster during heavy gaming or video recording, which means you have to charge it more often. 

Conclusion

With its sheer value for the price, the Samsung Galaxy A36 stands out beautifully in the mid-range smartphone market. It offers conditions along the line of a premium feature set, weighing this against necessary compromises in keeping with a competitive price. A stunning display and unrivaled software support stand out as features that distinguish it from opponent companies in the same price range. 

While the camera system and the processor will not entertain the pickiest of users, they are an impressive combo for daily use-features from casual photography to normal app usage. For US$369.99, one of the most attractive price-performance points in Samsung's 2025 catalog is the Galaxy A36. This is a solid option for anybody on a budget looking for a phone that feels premium and would like to keep it for many years ahead.

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