Samsung has once again shaken up the Indian smartphone market with its latest launch, the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G. Known for its reliable hardware, AMOLED displays, and long-lasting battery life, Samsung’s M-series has a strong fan base. And with the M36 5G, the brand aims to offer a complete package for budget-conscious users who don’t want to compromise on performance, display, or camera.
A Stunning Display That’s Made to Impress
The first thing you’ll notice about Samsung Galaxy M36 5G is its gorgeous 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen. With Full HD+ resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, this phone delivers a premium viewing experience that’s rare in this price segment. Whether you’re streaming Netflix or scrolling through Instagram, the colors pop, the blacks are deep, and the animations are buttery smooth. Samsung’s display quality is already industry-leading, and the M36 5G proudly carries that legacy forward.
Compared to phones like the Realme Narzo 70 5G or Redmi Note 13 5G, the M36 easily stands out with its brightness and clarity, especially under direct sunlight.
Sleek Design Meets Durable Build
Even though the frame is made of plastic, the finish feels refined. It comes in three attractive colors — Velvet Black, Orange Haze, and Serene Green. At just 7.7 mm thickness, the M36 is slim, stylish, and easy to handle. The matte-glass-like rear panel gives it a more premium look, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus on the front adds an extra layer of protection against accidental drops and scratches.
Powerful Hardware for Seamless Performance
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G is powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset built on a 5nm architecture. Paired with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, the phone easily handles multitasking, gaming, and video editing. Switching between apps feels fast and fluid, and the phone doesn’t heat up excessively during long sessions.
Samsung has also done a great job optimizing the software. The phone ships with Android 15 out of the box and One UI 7, offering a clean and smooth interface. What makes this phone even more future-proof is Samsung’s promise of 6 years of software and security updates — something you rarely see in this price range.
How Good Is the Camera?
On the rear, Samsung Galaxy M36 5G sports a 50MP main camera with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. The photos come out crisp and well-detailed, even in challenging lighting. Thanks to OIS, low-light shots are clearer with reduced blur, making this phone a solid choice for night photography.
For selfies and video calls, there’s a 13MP front camera that supports 4K video recording. Portraits come out sharp with good edge detection, and the skin tones look natural.
In comparison, the camera quality is noticeably better than that of the iQOO Z9 or the Redmi Note 13 series, especially when it comes to stabilization and low-light performance.
Battery Life That Keeps You Going
Although the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G features a 5,000mAh battery (down from 6,000mAh in the M34), it’s still more than enough to last a full day of heavy use. The combination of the power-efficient Exynos chip and AMOLED screen ensures optimal battery management.
It supports 25W fast charging, and while that’s not the fastest in the segment, it gets the job done in about 90 minutes. Compared to rivals like the Realme Narzo 70x (which offers 45W), the charging is slightly slower but still acceptable given Samsung’s brand value and software stability.
AI Features Add a Smart Touch
Samsung has integrated AI-powered tools like Circle to Search and Google Gemini AI, making the M36 smarter and more intuitive. You can quickly identify objects, get information with a tap, and enjoy smarter suggestions based on usage habits. It’s these little touches that enhance the overall user experience.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Buying?
If you’re looking for a reliable, stylish, and feature-packed 5G smartphone under ₹20,000, the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G is one of the best options currently available. It ticks all the right boxes — display, camera, performance, and long-term software support. Samsung’s focus on user experience, stability, and quality makes this phone a strong alternative to Chinese rivals.
You may not get the biggest battery or the fastest charging, but what you do get is a dependable all-rounder that looks good, performs well, and will stay updated for years.