The Samsung Galaxy A36 is a new addition to Samsung’s A-series, offering features similar to those of the Galaxy A56 at a more affordable price. The Android phone offers impressive improvements over the previous Galaxy A35, offering camera enhancements, brighter displays, and improved charging support. The Galaxy A36 promises six years of software updates, a brilliant Super AMOLED display, a slimmer profile, and a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset to boost performance.
Samsung Galaxy A36 Key Specs and Features
- 6.7 inches Super AMOLED Display, 1080 x 2340 pixels (~385 ppi density), 120Hz Refresh Rate, up to 1200 nits Brightness
- Always-on Display
- Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
- up to 6 years of security updates
- Samsung Knox Vault
- Circle to Search
- Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) Octa Core Processor
- 6GB, 8GB RAM
- 50 MP (wide) + 8 MP (ultrawide) + 2 MP (macro) Triple Rear Camera
- 12 MP Front Camera
- Dust and Water Resistance (IP67)
- Fingerprint Sensor (side-mounted)
- 128GB, 256GB Built-in Storage
- 4G LTE Support
- 5G Support
- Wi-Fi 6 Support
- 45W Fast Charging Capacity
- 5000 mAh Battery
Design
The Samsung Galaxy A36 introduces a fresh and polished look to the A-series lineup, drawing inspiration from Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S devices while carving out its own identity. The design is sleek and modern, with a few notable updates that make it feel more refined without straying too far from the signature Samsung aesthetic.
The A36 boasts a glass front and back with a plastic frame. Measuring 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm and weighing just 195g, it strikes a nice balance between being lightweight and offering a solid feel in the hand. It’s slim, which makes it comfortable for one-handed use, and the overall design feels streamlined and polished.
The display has been upgraded from last year’s 6.6-inch to a 6.7-inch display. It has thin bezels around the screen and a punch-hole cutout for the front camera, hence the screen offers a clean, unobstructed viewing experience. The display also boasts Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection, making it more resistant to scratches and drops, which is a crucial addition for anyone concerned with durability.
The most significant design change, however, can be seen on the rear. The camera layout has shifted from the traditional stacked lenses to an elongated camera island that neatly houses all three lenses. This new design gives the back of the phone a sleek, organized look, setting the Galaxy A36 apart from its predecessors. The glossy finish on the back is eye-catching, though it does tend to attract fingerprints and smudges, which might require a regular wipe-down or the use of a case.
One distinctive feature that remains is the Key Island design. The power and volume buttons are housed in a raised bezel on the side, which adds a unique touch that you won’t find on many other devices. The bottom of the device houses a SIM tray, a USB Type-C port, and a speaker grille, all neatly placed for easy access. This subtle design decision offers easy access to the buttons while keeping the overall aesthetic intact.
In terms of color options, the Samsung Galaxy A36 comes in four appealing shades: Lavender, Black, White, and Lime. Each color option feels fresh and modern, allowing users to personalize their device. Additionally, the IP67 rating means the phone is dust and water-resistant, adding durability to its stylish design.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy A36 has the same display size as the Galaxy A26 and the Galaxy A56. It comes equipped with a stunning 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display that takes visual performance to the next level.
Furthermore, it has a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and an aspect ratio of 19.5:9, thus offering a sharp and vibrant experience, providing ~385 pixels per inch (ppi) density. This ensures that images, videos, and text are clear and crisp, with a level of detail that enhances every interaction.
This display features a 120Hz refresh rate, which results in incredibly smooth scrolling, fluid animations, and seamless gameplay, making it a joy for anyone who enjoys smooth user experiences. It ensures all your screen time feels responsive and fast.
Additionally, the Galaxy A36 achieves a HBM (High Brightness Mode) of 1200 nits and an impressive 1900 nits peak brightness, which makes the display perfectly visible even in direct sunlight.
This feature allows the device to produce exceptionally bright and clear visuals, even when used in direct sunlight or brightly lit environments. With this level of brightness, you can comfortably view content on the screen without straining your eyes or struggling with glare, enhancing the overall readability and usability of the device in various lighting conditions.
Furthermore, the 5G Phone features an Always-on display function, allowing users to conveniently glance at notifications, time, and other essential information without waking up the device.
The Galaxy A36’s display utilizes an 8-bit color depth and covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut, thus producing a wide range of colors and gradients with precision and clarity. This depth enables the device to render over 16 million colors, resulting in vibrant and lifelike images and videos. This makes the phone perfect for media consumption, photography, or any task where color accuracy is key.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy A36 retains the reliable triple-camera setup of the Galaxy A35, with the main upgrades coming in the form of a 12MP selfie camera and video HDR (10-bit) at up to 4K 30fps. It has a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro camera on the rear and a new 12MP selfie sensor at the front.
The 50MP primary camera delivers exceptional detail and vibrant colors. It comes with an f/1.8 aperture and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which helps ensure sharp, clear images even when on the move. It also features the Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF), which further enhances the camera’s responsiveness, allowing for quick and accurate focusing, even in fast-paced settings.
The 8MP ultrawide camera expands the photography possibilities by offering a 123-degree field of view. This allows users to capture sweeping landscapes, large group shots, or dramatic architectural photos, all with a single click.
The f/2.2 aperture ensures that the camera still performs reasonably well in various lighting conditions, although the image quality may not be as sharp as the main sensor, making it ideal for situations where a wide perspective is needed rather than extreme detail.
For close-up photography, the Samsung Galaxy A36 has a 5MP macro camera which lets users capture intricate details from a short distance, making it a great tool for photographing objects with fine textures or small subjects. While the image quality might not rival the main and ultrawide cameras, it still provides value for specific macro photography applications.
The 12MP front camera is another key change made this year, although the sensor is smaller than last year’s 13MP sensor, it captures clearer, more detailed selfies thanks to the hardware. The f/2.2 aperture ensures that selfies come out sharp, even in various lighting situations. It also supports 4K video recording at 30fps, enabling users to create high-quality video content with their front-facing camera, a feature that’s rare in mid-range devices.
Additionally, the Galaxy A36 supports 10-bit HDR video recording up to 4K at 30fps, which significantly enhances video content by offering richer, more accurate colors and dynamic range. This is especially useful for those who enjoy recording videos with cinematic quality or creating content for platforms that require higher color depth.
The camera system also benefits from Samsung’s Awesome Intelligence, which includes features like the Object Eraser tool. This allows users to easily remove unwanted objects from their photos, making editing more intuitive and less reliant on third-party apps.
Hardware and Software
Under the hood, the Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset (built on a 4nm process) powers the Galaxy A36, offering impressive performance and energy efficiency. The Octa-core CPU, which features 2.4 GHz quad-core Cortex-A78 cores for high performance and 1.8 GHz quad-core Cortex-A55 cores for power efficiency, ensures smooth multitasking, app usage, and moderate gaming experiences. The Adreno 710 GPU complements this with strong graphical performance, handling casual gaming and graphics-intensive tasks effortlessly.
In terms of storage and memory, the Samsung Galaxy A36 offers several configurations to suit different needs. You can choose from 128GB of internal storage with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, or 256GB of internal storage paired with 8GB or 12GB of RAM. These options provide ample space for apps, media, and files, while the UFS 2.2 storage ensures fast read/write speeds, leading to quick app launches and seamless system performance. However, the device does not support a microSD card slot, so storage expansion is not an option.
When it comes to battery life, the Galaxy A36 is equipped with a 5000mAh battery that delivers impressive longevity. Whether you’re scrolling through social media, making video calls, or streaming content, the device can easily last a full day of mixed usage.
Samsung claims up to 29 hours of video playback, which, if accurate, will make the device a reliable companion for media consumption. The 45W fast charging feature, a significant improvement over its predecessor’s 25W charging, provides quick recharging times. However, the 45W charger is sold separately, so users will need to purchase it to take full advantage of this faster charging speed.
The Samsung Galaxy A36 is a feature-packed device, powered by Android 15 with One UI 7 running on top. This version of Samsung’s software presents a more modern and simplified design while retaining its focus on AI and personalization. It’s also worth noting that the Galaxy A36 comes with up to 6 major Android updates and 6 years of security patches, ensuring that the device will remain secure and up-to-date for a long time, making it a future-proof choice for users.
The Galaxy A36 also introduces several AI-powered features. This includes the Circle to Search with Google, which provides quick homework help in subjects like math, chemistry, biology, and physics by giving access to explainers, videos, and results from the web. Additionally, the device offers the ability to instantly translate the entire screen, allowing users to translate any text they come across without needing to switch apps, providing an extra layer of convenience.
This Samsung phone boasts a robust array of connectivity options, including 5G for high-speed cellular data, dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 for versatile wireless internet access, Wi-Fi Direct for direct device-to-device connections, NFC for seamless contactless interactions, Bluetooth 5.3 for efficient wireless communication with peripherals, and GPS for accurate positioning and navigation.
Where to Buy Samsung Galaxy A36
Amazon US – See Offers | Amazon UK – See Offers | AliExpress – See Offers
Samsung Galaxy A36 Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy A36 price starts at around $295 at leading online stores. The model with 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM is available at Amazon stores in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom for around $349.50, 344.99 EUR, and 307.89 GBP, respectively. The Galaxy A36 price in Nigeria starts at around ₦460,000.
The Samsung Galaxy A36 is available in Nigeria at Slot, Jiji, Parktel, 3CHub, Fine Brothers, Rifugio, Justfones, Revenes, and Pointek. It is also available at physical stores in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna, Ibadan, and other cities in Nigeria.
Samsung Galaxy A36 Specs
Here are a few specs of the Samsung Galaxy A36:
General Features
- Platform: Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
- Processor: Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) Octa Core Processor (2.4 GHz quad-core Cortex-A78 and 1.8 GHz quad-core Cortex-A55)
- GPU: Adreno 710
- Memory: 6GB, 8GB RAM
- Colors: Lavender, Black, White, Lime
- Dimension: 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm
- Weight: 195 g
- SIM Type: Nano SIM, eSIM
- SIM Count: Dual-SIM
Display
- Display: 6.7 inches Super AMOLED Display, 1080 x 2340 pixels (~385 ppi density), ~86.5% screen-to-body ratio, 120Hz Refresh Rate, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak) Brightness
- Screen Protection: Yes, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
- Foldable Display: No
Camera
- Rear Camera: 50 MP (wide), f/1.8, PDAF, OIS + 8 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2, 123˚ FoV + 2 MP (macro), f/2.4 Triple Camera
- Rear Camera Features: LED Flash, Panorama, HDR, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
- Front Camera: 12 MP (wide) f/2.2 Camera, 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 10-bit HDR
Storage
- Built-in Storage: 128GB, 256GB
- Memory Card Support: No
- Bundled Cloud Storage: –
Network Support
- 2G GSM: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
- 2G CDMA 1X: –
- 3G WCDMA: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
- 3G CDMA EVDO: –
- 4G LTE: Yes, LTE Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
- 5G: Yes, 5G Bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
Internet and Connectivity
- GPRS: Yes
- EDGE: Yes
- 3G/WCDMA/HSPA: Yes
- HSPA+: Yes
- CDMA EVDO: –
- 4G LTE: Yes
- 5G: Yes
- WLAN: Yes, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, Wi-Fi 6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
- Wi-Fi Hotspot: Yes
- Bluetooth: Yes, Bluetooth 5.4, A2DP, LE
- NFC: Yes (market/region dependent)
- Infrared Blaster: –
- USB Port: Yes, USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
Messaging
- SMS/MMS: Yes
- Instant Messaging: Yes
- Push Emails: Yes
- Email Protocol: –
Entertainment
- Music Player: Yes
- Video Player: Yes
- FM Radio: –
- Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers
- 3.5mm Jack: –
Navigation
- Navigation: GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
- Maps: Yes
Sensors and Control
- Digital Compass: Yes
- Accelerometer: Yes
- Proximity Sensor: Yes
- Light Sensor: Yes
- Barometer: –
- SpO2: –
- Pedometer: –
- Heart Rate Monitor: –
- Gyroscope: Yes
- Fingerprint Scanner: Yes, (under display, optical)
- Iris Scanner: –
- Face Unlock: –
- Stylus Pen: –
- Intelligent Digital Assistant: Yes
- Motion Sensing / Gesture Control: –
- Voice Control: Yes
Other Features
- Video Streaming: Yes
- Active Noise Cancellation: Yes
- Wireless Charging: No
- Built-in Mobile Payment: –
- Water Resistant: Yes (survives in up to 1 meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes)
- Dust Resistant: Yes
- Image Editor: Yes
- Video Editor: Yes
- Document Viewer: –
- Document Editor: –
Battery
- Battery: 5000 mAh Battery
- Talktime: –
- Standby Time: –
- Fast Charging: 45W Fast Charging Capacity
