India’s budget smartphone segment is a battlefield, and Samsung has always tried to strike the right balance of features and pricing with its Galaxy M-series. The Galaxy M35 stood out despite its modest processor, thanks to solid basics and a large battery.
With the Galaxy M36, Samsung introduces a refreshed design but ends up cutting some corners along the way. After weeks of testing, here’s a closer look at whether it’s worth buying.
Design
Samsung’s Galaxy M-series has usually focused on practicality over style. The Galaxy M36 changes that with fresh two-tone color options like Orange Haze, Velvet Black, and Serene Green. It has a slimmer 7.7mm frame (down from 9.1mm), giving it a more premium look.
The matte silver edges contrast with the colorful back, but the rear panel smudges easily and feels plasticky in hand.
The front features a 6.7-inch Full-HD+ Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. Protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, it delivers bright and vibrant colors, perfect for outdoor use.
However, Samsung replaced the hole-punch camera from the M35 with an outdated waterdrop notch, which feels like a step backward.
Performance
On the software side, Samsung delivers big. The Galaxy M36 ships with Android 15 and One UI 7.0, with a promise of 6 years of OS and security updates—a standout in this price range.
The Exynos 1380 processor (5nm) handles daily tasks well, though the UI feels slightly heavy with pre-installed apps. Still, features like Galaxy AI tools add value.
Benchmark scores show that it lags behind rivals like Realme P3 Pro but performs decently for its price:
| Benchmark | Galaxy M36 | Realme P3 Pro | CMF Phone 2 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 | 6,00,808 | 8,42,381 | 6,91,275 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,976 | 3,209 | 2,928 |
| 3DMark Wild Life | 2,718 | 4,101 | 3,148 |
Gaming is decent too—titles like Asphalt Legends run smoothly at 60fps with high graphics, though the phone warms up. The VC cooling system helps manage performance under load.
Cameras
The camera setup is unchanged from the M35:
- 50MP OIS primary camera
- 8MP ultrawide camera
- 2MP macro sensor
- 13MP selfie camera
Daylight shots are fine, but details like foliage look smudged, and highlights get blown out. The 2X digital zoom gives sharper results than the macro sensor, which is underwhelming. Low-light shots are modest, with visible noise and lack of detail.
Video recording supports 4K at 30fps, with good stabilization in daylight but noisy results in low light.
Battery
This is where the Galaxy M36 struggles. Compared to the M35’s massive 6,000mAh battery, the M36 gets a 5,000mAh unit. In tests, it lasted:
- 17h 55m in HD video loop test (M35 lasted 47h 17m)
- 10h 1m in PCMark battery test
Charging is limited to 25W, taking around 1h 28m for a full charge. Also, there’s no charger in the box, which is disappointing at this price point.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy M36 is a mixed bag. Its design refresh and long-term software support are definite strengths, making it appealing for users who keep their phones for years.
However, the battery downgrade, average cameras, and dated notch design make it hard to recommend over the Galaxy M35 or even rivals like the Realme P3 Pro and CMF Phone 2 Pro.
If you want a Samsung phone that will last with updates, the M36 is worth considering. But for better performance and battery life, alternatives from Realme and Nothing offer stronger value.
FAQs
What is the price of Samsung Galaxy M36?
The Galaxy M36 starts around Rs. 20,000 in India.
Does Galaxy M36 support 4K video?
Yes, it records 4K video at 30fps.
How long does Galaxy M36 battery last?
It lasts about a day with moderate to heavy use.
Is Samsung Galaxy M36 good for gaming?
Yes, it runs most 3D games smoothly at 60fps.
Does Galaxy M36 come with a charger?
No, Samsung does not include a charger in the box.
