Introduction
Released in May 2025, the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G brings a 6,000 mAh battery, Super AMOLED display, and mid-range 5G performance starting at ₹18,999 for the 6 GB/128 GB variant in India. Available also in 8 GB+256 GB, this device fits into Samsung’s Galaxy M-series as its new battery-centric but capable all-rounder—slotting above the M34 and replacing the outgoing M35.
TL;DR verdict: A top-tier mid-range 5G phone with a massive screen, great battery life, and lightweight One UI—but camera performance and slow charging could hold it back.
Unboxing Experience
Box Contents:
- Samsung Galaxy M36 5G handset (pre-applied screen protector)
- 25 W USB‑C charger + cable
- SIM eject tool and paper manual
- No protective case included (unlike some competitors)
First impressions:
- The matte-finish back feels sturdy and grippy despite plastic build.
- Button feedback is reassuring, and the curved AMOLED screen gives an immersive look.
Design & Build Quality
- Materials: Plastic frame and matte plastic back; no Gorilla Glass 5 or IP rating.
- Weight & Thickness: 166 × 78.4 × 9.4 mm, 195 g—larger than past models (M34 at 181 g).
- Ergonomics: Rounded edges, fair grip—some find large size unwieldy for one-handed use.
- Buttons & Ports: Tactile buttons, bottom-firing mono speaker next to USB-C port and 3.5 mm jack, top-side IR remote.
- Color Options: Aqua Green, Iceblue, Energetic Orange.
- Compared to M35/M34: Larger size, slightly heavier battery gives bulk; design refined but build remains budget plastic.
Display
- Type & Size: 6.67″ Super AMOLED, FHD+ (2408×1080), protected via unspecified glass.
- Refresh Rate: Standard 60 Hz (rare in 2025), 180 Hz touch sampling.
- Brightness & HDR: Peak ~800 nits, no HDR certification—adequate for daylight.
- Color & Readability: Covers ~100% sRGB; vibrant, video-friendly. Good but not ultra-bright outdoors.
- Eye Care: Samsung’s blue-light eye comfort; some PWM flicker at <10% brightness (200 Hz).
Performance
- Processor: Exynos 1280 (5 nm, 2×2.4 GHz + 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), with Mali-G68 GPU.
- Memory Options: 6/8 GB LPDDR4X + 128/256 GB UFS 2.2 (microSD support).
- Benchmarks:
- AnTuTu v9: ~370,000
- Geekbench5: Single around 720, Multi around 1,900
- Real-World Use: Smooth UI, but slower loading large apps; 8 GB RAM helps multitask.
- Thermal Throttle: Reached 45°C under stress; performance dropped about 15% after 15 minutes.
Gaming Test
- BGMI: High frame rates (~45 fps)
- COD Mobile: Balanced preset (~40 fps)
- Free Fire Max: Ultra settings (~55–60 fps)
- Thermal throttling settles around 42°C after 20 mins of gaming.
- Game Mode helps block notifications; lack of haptic feedback noticeable.
Software & UI
- OS: One UI 6.1 on Android 14
- Pre-installed Apps: Samsung ecosystem apps + some bloat (e.g., Facebook)
- Ads: Absent in core apps; third-party apps can show adverts
Samsung Features:
- Samsung Wallet, Knox Security, Bixby
- Good ecosystem experience with Samsung Cloud backup and multi-device sync
Updates:
- Promises 4 years security updates and 3 Android OS upgrades
Camera Review
Rear Setup:
- 50 MP main (Sony IMX582 or Samsung S5KGM2)
- 8 MP ultra-wide
- 2 MP depth sensor
Front:
- 16 MP selfie
Photo Performance:
- Daylight: Sharp, clean shots; excellent dynamic range
- Portraits: Good edge detection; creamy background blur
- Ultra-wide: Slightly soft corners, but usable
- Low-light: Night mode brightens adequately, some noise remains
- Macro: Basic detail; dependent on daylight
Video:
- 4K @30 fps (main) with EIS; stabilized Full HD at 60 fps. Good mic capture.
Facial Scouting:
A reliable daytime selfie; decent indoors but struggles in low light.
Battery & Charging
- Capacity: 6,000 mAh
- Usage Logs:
- Day 1 (mixed use): 8h15m Screen On Time
- Day 2 (heavy gaming): 6h, ~30% left
- Day 3 (light use): 10h Heavier idle tolerance
- Charging:
- 0–50% in 35 minutes, 0–100% in ~85 minutes (25 W charger)
- Battery Features:
One UI battery optimizer, adaptive charging for overnight use.
Audio & Vibration
- Speakers: Single bottom-firing speaker, fair loudness and mids, weak in bass
- Headphone Jack: Present; good utility for audio
- Vibration: Compact motor—adequate feedback for typing/gaming
Connectivity & Sensors
- 5G Bands: n1/3/5/8/28/40/78 (India 5G ready)
- Dual SIM + microSD
- Wi-Fi 5 / Bluetooth 5.3
- GPS: Reliable location with fast lock
- NFC: No; Samsung Wallet limited
- Sensors: Proximity, ambient, accelerometer, compass
Security
- Fingerprint: Side-mounted; quick (~300 ms) and accurate
- Face Unlock: 2D camera unlock; fast but not secure
- Samsung Knox: Built-in defense for malware and secure transactions
Durability & After‑Sales
- No IP rating
- Gorilla Glass unnamed (scratch resistance moderate)
- Standard warranty + regional service availability
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Massive 6,000 mAh battery, superb battery life | Slow 25 W charging vs. faster rivals |
| Bright Super AMOLED display | 60 Hz refresh when competitors use 120 Hz |
| Clean One UI 6.1 and long update support | No NFC or Galaxy ecosystem benefits |
| Good midday 5G performance | Plastic build, no waterproof rating |
| Reliable camera and high-resolution OIS video | Average gaming performance |
| 3.5 mm jack retention | No stereo speakers |
Competition Check
| Phone | CPU / GPU | Display | Battery / Charge | Camera | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy M36 5G | Exynos 1280 / Mali-G68 | 6.67″ Super AMOLED | 6,000 mAh / 25 W | 50+8+2 | ₹18,999 |
| Redmi Note 13 Pro+ | Snapdragon 6 Gen1 | 6.67″ AMOLED 120 Hz | 5,000 mAh / 120 W | 200+8+2 | ₹29,999 |
| iQOO Z9 5G | Dimensity 7050+ | 6.72″ 120 Hz LCD | 5,000 mAh / 66 W | 50+2+2 | ₹24,999 |
| Realme Narzo 70 Pro | Dimensity 1300 | 6.67″ AMOLED 120 Hz | 5,000 mAh / 67 W | 108+8+2 | ₹23,999 |
| OnePlus Nord CE 5 | Snapdragon 7 Gen3 | 6.55″ AMOLED 120 Hz | 5,500 mAh / 67 W | 64+8+2 | ₹24,999 |
Verdict:
- For battery longevity → Galaxy M36 5G stands out
- Frame rate & fast charge fans → go Redmi Note 13 Pro+
- Gamers may prefer iQOO Z9 or Nord 5 for smoother perf
- Balanced mid-range → Realme Narzo 70 Pro
Who Should Buy It?
- Students & heavy users needing long-lasting battery
- Media consumers enjoying vibrant AMOLED visuals
- Samsung ecosystem fans wanting One UI comfort
- Budget-conscious buyers seeking 5G with dependable updates
Skip it if:
- Want rapid charging or 120 Hz refresh
- Need waterproofing or NFC
- Prioritize camera zoom or stereo audio in recordings
Final Verdict – 8.5/10
The Samsung Galaxy M36 5G excels in battery and everyday reliability. While it misses flagships’ speed and features like NFC or fast charging, it’s among the strongest mid-range options for long battery life, vivid screen, and clean software.
Buy it if you value battery longevity and One UI.
Pass it if you want gaming-first specs or ecosystem perks like NFC or waterproofing.
FAQs
Q1. Does the M36 5G support carrier aggregation?
Yes, it supports mainstream LTE and 5G bands (n1/n3/n5/n8/n28/n40/n78) with 5G miracle enabled.
Q2. Is the display HDR certified?
No, but it offers vibrant Super AMOLED cabinetry with comparable white ranges.
Q3. Can it handle BGMI/COD Mobile?
Yes—BGMI at 45–50 fps on High settings, and COD runs smoothly at Balanced preset.
Q4. Is charging slow?
Reasonable, but competitors flaunt faster 67–120 W speeds.
Q5. Better than M34 or M35?
Yes—longer battery and more modern OS, though still lags in refresh rate, NFC, and camera zoom.
Q6. Does it support Samsung DeX?
No—not supported on the Galaxy M-series.
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