Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

The A36 5G punches above its weight in design, with a clean aesthetic that mirrors Samsung's flagship lineup. Build quality is solid for the price with a polycarbonate back that still manages to look sleek.

• Clean, modern design that takes cues from the flagship S25 series — doesn't look like a budget phone— Tom's Guide
• IP67 water resistance at $299 is impressive and increasingly expected at this price tier— GSMArena
• Polycarbonate back keeps costs down but doesn't feel cheap in the hand— TechRadar
• Color options are attractive and help differentiate it from the sea of black budget phones— Android Authority

The 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display is the A36's strongest feature. Samsung's AMOLED expertise trickles down effectively here, delivering punchy colors and smooth scrolling that outclass most budget competitors.

• Super AMOLED display delivers rich, vibrant colors that punch well above the $299 price point— GSMArena
• 120Hz refresh rate makes the UI feel smoother than the processor sometimes allows— Tom's Guide
• FHD+ resolution is sharp enough for the screen size — text and images look crisp— TechRadar

This is where the A36 5G struggles most. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 handles basic tasks adequately but shows its limitations quickly. App switching can be laggy, and gaming is essentially off the table for demanding titles.

• Basic tasks like messaging, social media, and web browsing work fine, if not lightning fast— GSMArena
• Performance gets the job done, but only just — don't expect snappy multitasking— Android Authority
• Gaming on this phone is frustrating — even moderate titles experience stuttering and frame drops— Tom's Guide
• One UI 7 runs but feels heavy on this hardware — a lighter skin would help significantly— TechRadar

The camera system is adequate for social media and casual snaps but won't win any photography awards. The 50MP main sensor produces decent results in good lighting but struggles in low light.

• In good lighting, the main camera produces passable photos for social media sharing— GSMArena
• Night photography is a weakness — photos come out noisy and lacking detail— Tom's Guide
• Ultrawide lens is included but quality is noticeably below the main sensor— Android Authority
• Video recording is limited to 4K30 and stabilization is mediocre at best— TechRadar

Battery life is one of the A36's genuine strengths. The 5,000mAh battery combined with the efficient (if slow) processor means the phone easily lasts a full day and often stretches into day two.

• Excellent battery life — the combination of efficient chip and large battery means consistent two-day endurance for light users— GSMArena
• Even heavy users will get through a full day without anxiety— Tom's Guide
• 25W charging is painfully slow by 2025 standards — a full charge takes well over an hour— Android Authority

At $299, the A36 5G is competing in one of the most crowded smartphone segments. Its design and display stand out, but the sluggish performance and mediocre cameras make it a tough sell against alternatives.

• The most balanced Samsung mid-ranger — no single feature is terrible, even if none is outstanding— GSMArena
• A good-looking phone that falls flat where it matters most — performance and cameras— Tom's Guide
• Samsung's update commitment gives it a longevity advantage over budget Chinese alternatives— TechRadar
• The Pixel 7a at similar or lower sale prices offers a significantly better camera experience— Android Authority