Samsung Galaxy A36 5G Comprehensive Review

📌 Introduction

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G was officially announced on March 2, 2025, and became available for purchase on March 10, 2025. Targeting the mid-range market, it comes with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, a Super AMOLED 120Hz display, and a 50MP triple-camera setup. Samsung promises six major Android upgrades, making this an attractive long-term investment. But does it truly deliver? Let’s break it down.

2️⃣ Design & Build Quality 🏗️

✅ Premium glass build with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back.
✅ Slim and lightweight (195g, 7.4mm thick) – comfortable for one-handed use.
✅ IP67 water and dust resistance – can survive submersion up to 1m for 30 minutes.

🛑 Plastic frame – at this price point, a metal frame would have been preferable.
🛑 No matte finish – the glass back is glossy, making it a fingerprint magnet.

Verdict: A stylish phone with premium materials, but the plastic frame and smudge-prone back slightly hold it back.

3️⃣ Display Quality 📺

✅ 6.7″ Super AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate – smooth scrolling and animations.
✅ High brightness (1900 nits peak) – excellent for outdoor use.
✅ Always-on display – a useful feature missing in some competitors.
✅ Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection – scratch-resistant and durable.

🛑 No HDR10+ support – a letdown for content lovers.
🛑 Only Full HD+ resolution – competitors like Pixel 7a offer sharper QHD+ panels.

Verdict: A great AMOLED screen with smooth refresh rates, but missing HDR10+ support at this price range.

4️⃣ Performance & Hardware 🚀

✅ Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm) – efficient and decent for mid-range tasks.
✅ UFS 2.2 storage – not the fastest, but acceptable for this price.
✅ Memory options up to 12GB RAM – smooth multitasking.
✅ Runs on Android 15 with One UI 7 – long-term support with six major updates.

🛑 Not a flagship-level processor – struggles with high-end tasks.
🛑 UFS 2.2 is outdated – UFS 3.1 or UFS 4.0 would have been a better choice.

Verdict: Great for everyday use, but power users may feel limited by the mid-range chipset and slower storage.

5️⃣ Gaming Performance 🎮

✅ Smooth 60FPS gaming on medium settings for PUBG, Call of Duty, and Asphalt 9.
✅ Decent thermals – doesn’t overheat quickly.

🛑 Struggles with Genshin Impact and Fortnite – frame drops on high settings.
🛑 No advanced cooling system – can get warm during extended gaming sessions.

Verdict: A capable gaming phone for casual gamers, but not ideal for high-performance gaming.

6️⃣ Camera System 📸

✅ 50MP main sensor with OIS – captures detailed and sharp images.
✅ Ultrawide 8MP camera – offers a good field of view.
✅ 5MP macro camera – decent for close-ups.
✅ 4K video recording with gyro-EIS – smooth footage.
✅ 12MP selfie camera with 4K video support – a rare feature in mid-range phones.

🛑 No telephoto lens – digital zoom reduces quality.
🛑 Night mode is just average – struggles in extreme low light.
🛑 Macro camera is not very useful – a telephoto or better ultrawide would have been preferable.

Verdict: A solid camera system, but lacks a telephoto lens and struggles with low-light performance.

7️⃣ Battery Life & Charging 🔋

✅ 5000mAh battery – easily lasts a full day on moderate use.
✅ 45W wired charging – 66% in 30 minutes, 100% in 68 minutes.

🛑 No wireless charging – a feature available in some competitors.
🛑 No charger included in the box – Samsung follows the trend of removing accessories.

Verdict: Great battery life with fast charging, but missing wireless charging.

8️⃣ Software & User Experience 📲

✅ Android 15 with One UI 7 – feature-rich and smooth.
✅ 6 years of major updates – outlasts most competitors.
✅ Virtual Proximity Sensing & Circle to Search – AI-powered features for better usability.

🛑 Bloatware – comes with unnecessary pre-installed apps.

Verdict: Samsung’s software is excellent, but expect some bloatware.

9️⃣ Connectivity & Extra Features 📶

✅ 5G, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.4 – future-proof connectivity.
✅ Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos – great sound quality.
✅ Under-display fingerprint sensor – fast and reliable.
✅ eSIM support – flexibility for travelers.

🛑 No 3.5mm headphone jack – may annoy wired headphone users.
🛑 No FM radio – a minor drawback for some users.

Verdict: Modern connectivity features, but lacks a headphone jack.

🔄 Comparison with Competitors

🔹 Best for software updates: Galaxy A36
🔹 Best for camera: Pixel 7a
🔹 Best for performance: OnePlus Nord 3

🏆 Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

✔ Premium glass build with IP67 rating
✔ Bright 120Hz AMOLED display
✔ Decent Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 performance
✔ Long software support (6 major Android updates)
✔ Solid camera performance with 4K recording
✔ Large 5000mAh battery with 45W fast charging

❌ Cons

🛑 Plastic frame instead of aluminum
🛑 No HDR10+ support for better display quality
🛑 No telephoto lens, night mode is just okay
🛑 No 3.5mm headphone jack or FM radio
🛑 Bloatware pre-installed

💡 Final Verdict – Is It Worth Buying?

For £399, the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is a solid mid-range phone with great battery life, a smooth display, and long software support. However, the lack of HDR10+, a plastic frame, and mid-range performance hold it back from being the best in class.

✅ Buy it if: You want great battery life, solid cameras, and long-term software support.
❌ Avoid it if: You need flagship-level gaming performance, a telephoto camera, or a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Would you pick this phone, or is there a better alternative in your opinion? Let me know in the comments! 🚀