Samsung Galaxy M36 5G Review – A Feature-Packed Solid Beast for the Price
Samsung Galaxy M36 5G
Explore the all-new Samsung Galaxy M36 5G, featuring a 120Hz Super AMOLED display, Exynos 1380 processor, 50MP triple camera, 5000mAh battery, and Android 15 with 6 years of updates. A powerful mid-range 5G smartphone built for performance and durability.
Samsung Galaxy M36 5G – A powerful mid-range 5G smartphone launched in July 2025
6.7″ Super AMOLED Display with 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Victus+
Exynos 1380 (5nm) Processor with AnTuTu score of 597,495 for smooth performance
Samsung continues its legacy of delivering reliable mid-range smartphones with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G. Packed with a powerful Exynos 1380 (5nm) processor, an immersive 6.7-inch Super AMOLED 120Hz display, and a robust 5000mAh battery, the M36 5G is designed for users who demand all-day performance without compromise. Whether you’re gaming, binge-watching, or multitasking, this phone offers a flagship-like experience at a budget-friendly price.
Samsung Galaxy M36 5G – Key Specifications
General
Launch Date: June 27, 2025
Availability: Expected release – July 12, 2025
Operating System: Android 15 (One UI 7)
OS Support: 6 years of OS + Security updates
Design & Build
Dimensions: 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.7 mm
Weight: 197g
Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back
The Samsung Galaxy M36 5G strikes a solid balance between premium looks and practical build. At first glance, the phone impresses with its sleek and minimal design, highlighted by a smooth glass back and a durable plastic frame. It’s available in three elegant colors — Orange Haze, Velvet Black, and Serene Green — each giving the phone its own unique character.
Slim & Stylish: Measuring just 7.7mm thick, the Galaxy M36 5G is incredibly slim for a phone with a 5000mAh battery. It feels surprisingly light and sleek in the hand, making it ideal for long usage without wrist strain.
Solid Grip: Despite the large 6.7-inch display, the curved edges and refined frame give it a secure grip. One-handed use is manageable, especially with Samsung’s One UI tweaks that improve reachability.
Tough Glass Protection: The phone features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front, offering resistance against accidental drops and scratches. It’s even drop-resistant up to 2 meters, which adds peace of mind for clumsy hands.
Premium Touch, Mid-Range Budget: Although the back is glass-like and the frame is plastic, the fit and finish feel flagship-grade. Samsung has nailed the design language in the mid-range space with this one.
Lab Tests – Samsung Galaxy M36 5G
We put the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G through some real-world tests to see how it performs in the areas that matter most — the screen, battery, charging, and audio. Here’s how it held up:
Display Test
The 6.7″ Super AMOLED panel is bright, colorful, and smooth.
With a 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling and animations feel buttery.
It offers FHD+ resolution (1080×2340 pixels) with ~385 PPI — sharp enough for everything from Instagram reels to Netflix binges.
Outdoor visibility? Very good — we had no problem viewing it in direct sunlight.
Verdict: Excellent display for this price. Great contrast, vibrant colors, and smooth responsiveness.
Battery Life
The 5000mAh battery lasted 8 hours 43 minutes in our PC Mark test — not record-breaking, but solid.
It easily got us through a full day of social media, browsing, and YouTube with about 20–30% left at night.
During gaming sessions (30 mins), battery drain was around 7%, which is decent for a mid-range phone.
Verdict: Reliable all-day battery life for moderate to heavy users.
Charging Speed
Supports 25W fast charging (charger not always in the box though).
Went from 20% to 100% in 1 hour 6 minutes in our lab.
Not the fastest in the segment, but safe and consistent.
Verdict: Charging could be faster, but it’s steady and cool — no overheating issues.
Speaker Quality
Dual stereo speakers provide balanced sound with a good mix of bass and clarity.
Gets loud enough for media consumption and even casual gaming without distortion.
No 3.5mm headphone jack, but you can always use USB-C or wireless buds.
Verdict: One of the better-sounding phones in its segment. No complaints here.
Final Takeaway
In lab testing, the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G proves itself as a dependable all-rounder. The vibrant AMOLED display and stereo sound make it great for media, while the battery holds strong through the day — a package that performs where it really counts.
Software & Performance – Samsung Galaxy M36 5G
When it comes to everyday usability, the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G really shines — thanks to a clean software experience and reliable performance under pressure.
Samsung Galaxy M36 5G
Samsung Galaxy M36 5G
Samsung Galaxy M36 5G
Software Experience
Ships with Android 15 out of the box, layered with One UI 7, Samsung’s most polished and user-friendly interface yet.
Samsung promises a whopping 6 years of OS and security updates, which is rare at this price point — a big win for long-term users.
One UI 7 is snappy, minimal on bloatware, and packed with features like Smart Suggestions, Privacy Dashboard, and advanced customization.
Daily tasks like multitasking, app switching, and social scrolling feel fluid and hassle-free.
Verdict: Clean, feature-rich UI with long-term update support makes the software experience top-notch.
Performance
Powered by the Exynos 1380 (5nm) chipset, paired with 6GB/8GB RAM and UFS 2.2 storage.
The phone scored 597,495 on AnTuTu, which puts it just below the M35 5G but ahead of most phones in the ₹15–17K range.
Whether you’re gaming, editing photos, or running multiple apps, the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G holds up well.
In gaming tests, it delivered a GFX score of 4,223 with 7% battery drain and 18.4% heating after 30 minutes — solid for casual and moderate gaming.
It booted up in 23 seconds, which is quick and competitive.
Verdict: Performance is stable, efficient, and optimized. Great for daily use, streaming, light gaming, and multitasking.
Overall
The Samsung Galaxy M36 5G offers a well-balanced mix of fluid software and efficient performance. It’s not a gaming beast, but for most users who want a smooth, clean, and future-ready Android phone — it absolutely delivers.
Alternatives to Samsung Galaxy M36 5G
If you’re exploring the mid-range space, here are some solid alternatives to consider alongside the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G:
Samsung Galaxy M35 5G – Slightly better battery life and audio performance.
OPPO K13 – Excellent battery efficiency and minimal heating.
CMF Phone 2 Pro – Clean software and premium feel, but slightly lower performance.
Lava Blaze Curve 5G – Great design, fastest boot time (15 sec), ideal for budget-conscious users.
Samsung Galaxy M36 5G
Pros of Samsung Galaxy M36 5G
🟢 Super AMOLED 120Hz display – Crisp visuals with vibrant colors.
🟢 Android 15 + One UI 7 – Clean, feature-rich, and future-proof.
🟢 6 years of software and security updates – Excellent long-term value.
🟢 Stereo speakers – Better multimedia experience.
🟢 OIS on 50MP main camera – Helps with stable shots and videos.
🟢 Hybrid slot supports up to 2TB storage – Great for media-heavy users.
Cons of Samsung Galaxy M36 5G
🔴 Charging speed (25W) is slower compared to rivals offering 44W+ or even 67W.
🔴 No NFC or 3.5mm headphone jack – Might be a dealbreaker for some.
🔴 Battery backup is average (8.7 hrs in tests) – Not ideal for heavy users.
🔴 Exynos 1380 lags behind in GPU-heavy gaming vs Snapdragon-based phones.
Verdict: Should You Buy Samsung Galaxy M36 5G?
If you’re looking for a balanced mid-range smartphone with long-term software support, clean UI, a beautiful display, and solid camera performance — the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G is a smart, reliable choice.
It’s not the fastest phone in the ₹16K bracket, nor the best gaming phone. But it’s easily one of the most dependable and future-proof options you can get in 2025.
Ideal for students, casual users, and anyone who values brand trust, UI polish, and update longevity.