In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, Samsung continues to push the boundaries of affordability and performance with its M-series lineup. The recently launched Samsung Galaxy M36 5G is a testament to this commitment, offering a compelling blend of advanced features, robust performance, and sleek design—all at a price point that’s hard to ignore. In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive into every aspect of the Galaxy M36 5G, from its design and display to its camera, battery, and unique features, helping you decide if this is the right device for your needs.
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy M36 5G sports a modern, minimalist design that’s both stylish and functional. Measuring 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.7 mm and weighing just 197 grams, the device is impressively slim and lightweight, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The body is crafted from high-quality glass, which not only enhances its premium feel but also ensures durability. The phone is available in three attractive color options: Orange Haze, Serene Green, and Velvet Black, catering to a variety of aesthetic preferences.
The front is dominated by a large, immersive display, while the back houses a triple camera setup and a subtle Samsung logo. The device features a hybrid SIM slot, allowing users to choose between dual SIM functionality or expandable storage, depending on their needs. The in-display fingerprint sensor provides quick and secure access, and the overall build quality is on par with more expensive models in Samsung’s lineup.
Display: Immersive and Vibrant
One of the standout features of the Galaxy M36 5G is its 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display. With a Full HD+ resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate, the screen delivers smooth visuals and vibrant colors, making it ideal for gaming, streaming, and everyday use. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, offering enhanced resistance to scratches and accidental drops.
The Infinity-U design (also known as a teardrop notch) houses the front-facing camera, maximizing screen real estate and ensuring an immersive viewing experience. The panel supports up to 1500 nits of peak brightness in high brightness mode, ensuring excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. The aspect ratio is 19.5:9, and the screen-to-body ratio is approximately 83.8%, providing a modern, edge-to-edge look.
Performance: Smooth and Efficient
Under the hood, the Galaxy M36 5G is powered by the Samsung Exynos 1380 chipset, an octa-core processor built on a 5nm process. The CPU configuration includes four high-performance Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4GHz and four power-efficient Cortex-A55 cores running at 2.0GHz, ensuring a balance between performance and battery efficiency. The Mali-G68 MP5 GPU handles graphics-intensive tasks, making the device suitable for gaming and multimedia.
The phone comes in multiple RAM and storage configurations: 6GB or 8GB of RAM paired with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. For those who need more space, the hybrid SIM slot allows for expandable storage via microSD card (up to 2TB), a feature that’s increasingly rare in modern smartphones.
To keep thermals in check, Samsung has equipped the Galaxy M36 5G with a large vapor cooling chamber, ensuring sustained performance during extended gaming or multitasking sessions.
Operating System and Software
The Galaxy M36 5G runs Android 15 out of the box, overlaid with Samsung’s One UI 7 interface. One UI is known for its clean, user-friendly design and a wealth of customization options. Samsung has committed to providing up to six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates, ensuring the device remains secure and up-to-date for years to come. This level of long-term support is rare in the mid-range segment and adds significant value to the Galaxy M36 5G.
Cameras: Versatile and Feature-Rich
The camera system on the Galaxy M36 5G is one of its strongest selling points. The rear features a triple camera setup:
- 50MP primary camera with f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS): This sensor captures detailed, sharp images with accurate colors and is capable of recording 4K video at 30fps.
- 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera with f/2.2 aperture: Perfect for capturing expansive landscapes and group shots.
- 2MP macro camera with f/2.4 aperture: Allows for close-up shots of small objects and textures.
The camera app is packed with features, including night mode, portrait mode, AI scene optimization, and advanced video capabilities. The device supports 10-bit HDR recording on both the front and rear cameras, ensuring vibrant and dynamic footage. The LED flash helps in low-light conditions, and the overall camera performance is impressive for the price range.
On the front, the Galaxy M36 5G is equipped with a 13MP selfie camera (some sources mention 12MP, but 13MP is more consistently cited in recent updates). This sensor is capable of recording 4K video at 30fps, making it ideal for high-quality video calls and vlogging. The front camera also supports a variety of beauty and AI-enhanced features, ensuring great selfies in any lighting condition.
Battery and Charging: All-Day Endurance
The Galaxy M36 5G packs a substantial 5000mAh battery, providing all-day endurance even with heavy use. The device supports 25W fast charging, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed. While wireless charging is not available, the fast charging capability ensures you spend less time tethered to an outlet.
It’s worth noting that Samsung does not include a charger in the box, so users will need to purchase a compatible fast charger separately. Despite this, the battery life and charging speed are more than sufficient for most users.
Connectivity and Audio
The Galaxy M36 5G is a true connectivity powerhouse. It supports 5G (both SA and NSA), ensuring future-proof connectivity as 5G networks continue to expand. Dual 4G VoLTE support allows for seamless voice and data services on two SIM cards simultaneously.
The device features Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, and QZSS ensure accurate location tracking, making the phone ideal for navigation and location-based services.
For audio, the Galaxy M36 5G supports USB Type-C audio, but there is no 3.5mm headphone jack. The stereo speakers deliver clear and loud sound, enhancing the multimedia experience.
Sensors and Security
The Galaxy M36 5G is equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure and convenient unlocking. Additional sensors include an ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer, and gyroscope, enabling a range of smart features and enhanced user experience. The device also supports face unlock for added convenience.
AI Features and Extras
Samsung has integrated a suite of AI-powered features into the Galaxy M36 5G, making it smarter and more intuitive to use. Key AI features include:
- AI Select: Automatically selects the best photos from a burst.
- Object Eraser: Allows users to remove unwanted objects from photos.
- Image Clipper: Lets you cut out and save specific parts of images.
- Circle to Search: Enables quick web searches by circling items on the screen.
- Gemini AI: Advanced AI features powered by Google, enhancing productivity and creativity.
These features, combined with Samsung’s robust software ecosystem, make the Galaxy M36 5G a versatile tool for both work and play.
Box Contents and Availability
The Galaxy M36 5G comes with the handset, a USB Type-C cable, a SIM eject tool, and documentation. As mentioned earlier, a charger is not included in the box. The device is available in India starting July 12, 2025, via Amazon India, Samsung’s online store, and select retail outlets. Introductory offers include bank discounts of up to ₹1,000 on select cards.
Price and Variants
The Galaxy M36 5G is available in several configurations:
These prices make the Galaxy M36 5G one of the most affordable 5G smartphones in its segment, offering exceptional value for money.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy M36 5G is a compelling choice for anyone seeking a feature-rich, affordable 5G smartphone. Its vibrant Super AMOLED display, powerful Exynos 1380 processor, versatile camera system, and long-term software support set it apart from the competition. The device’s slim and lightweight design, robust build quality, and extensive connectivity options further enhance its appeal.
Whether you’re a student, professional, or tech enthusiast, the Galaxy M36 5G delivers a premium experience without the premium price tag. With its impressive battery life, advanced AI features, and future-proof 5G connectivity, this smartphone is well-equipped to meet the demands of modern users.
Samsung Galaxy M36 5G: Full Specifications Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | July 12, 2025 (India) |
| Model Number | SM-M366B/DS |
| Body Type | Glass |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.7 mm |
| Weight | 197 g |
| Colors | Orange Haze, Serene Green, Velvet Black |
| Display | 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, 2340 x 1080 (FHD+), 120Hz, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 1380 (5nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB UFS 2.2, expandable up to 2TB |
| OS | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| OS Updates | Up to 6 generations |
| Security Updates | 6 years |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (OIS, f/1.8) + 8MP (ultra-wide, f/2.2) + 2MP (macro, f/2.4) |
| Front Camera | 13MP (f/2.2) |
| Video Recording | 4K @ 30fps (front and rear) |
| Battery | 5000mAh |
| Charging | 25W fast charging (no charger in box) |
| Connectivity | 5G SA/NSA, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB Type-C |
| Audio | USB Type-C audio |
| Sensors | In-display fingerprint, face unlock, ambient light, proximity, gyro |
| AI Features | AI Select, Object Eraser, Image Clipper, Circle to Search, Gemini AI |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Hybrid) |
| Price (India) | ₹17,499 (6/128), ₹18,999 (8/128), ₹21,999 (8/256) |
In summary, the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G is a well-rounded, affordable 5G smartphone that punches above its weight in terms of features, performance, and value. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade to 5G without breaking the bank.
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