Samsung has strengthened its mid-range lineup with the Galaxy M36 5G, a smartphone aimed at students, gamers, and daily users looking for performance and endurance without a hefty price tag. With a sleek design, a vibrant 120Hz Super AMOLED display, and the powerful Exynos 1380 chipset, the M36 delivers a flagship-like experience at an entry-level price.
Design and Display Sleek, Slim, and Durable
The Galaxy M36 5G is designed for comfort and resilience. Measuring 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.7mm and weighing only 197 grams, the phone is light enough for one-handed use. Its 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection survives drops of up to two meters, while Vision Booster technology boosts brightness to 1000 nits for excellent outdoor visibility.
The M36 comes in Orange Haze, Velvet Black, and Serene Green finishes. Its slim bezels and ergonomic curves make long gaming or scrolling sessions comfortable. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner doubles as the power button and unlocks the phone instantly, even with sweaty hands. Though it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers are loud enough for casual media consumption. The device also supports USB-C 2.0 with OTG and expandable storage via a microSD card slot, offering flexibility for students and content creators.
Performance Exynos 1380 and Smooth Gaming
Under the hood, the M36 5G is powered by the 5nm Exynos 1380 octa-core chipset, featuring 4 high-performance Cortex-A78 cores at 2.4GHz and 4 efficiency cores at 2.0GHz. The Mali-G68 MP5 GPU handles gaming and graphics-intensive apps smoothly, allowing PUBG or BGMI to run at 90FPS without heating issues. AnTuTu benchmarks exceed 600k, showing that the M36 can compete with higher-priced devices in terms of raw performance.
RAM options include 6GB or 8GB, with virtual RAM boosting up to 16GB, while storage comes in 128GB or 256GB UFS 2.2 variants. The M36 maintains stable performance thanks to a vapor chamber cooling system, and One UI 7 on Android 15 promises six years of OS upgrades, making this a future-ready device. Samsung’s AI tools, including Circle to Search and Object Eraser, enhance daily tasks and social media use.
Camera Social Media Ready
The Galaxy M36 features a versatile triple-camera setup. The 50MP main sensor with OIS captures detailed daytime shots, while the 8MP ultra-wide lens covers 123° for landscapes and group photos without distortion. A 2MP macro sensor handles close-up shots. Night Mode reduces low-light noise, and AI-powered editing tools automatically enhance colors.
The 13MP front camera records 4K video and performs well under backlit conditions, making it ideal for selfies, Reels, and video calls. Video stabilization with gyro-EIS ensures smooth recordings, and panorama mode allows wide shots without compromising clarity.
Battery Life and Charging
The 5000mAh battery supports marathon usage, lasting up to 48 hours under mixed conditions. 25W wired charging replenishes 50% of the battery in 30 minutes, while overnight charging fills it completely. Samsung Knox provides hardware-level security, and six years of security patches ensure long-term safety. Standby power consumption is low, making the M36 reliable for students, professionals, and travelers alike.
Connectivity and Student-Friendly Features
The Galaxy M36 5G is built with students in mind. NFC enables quick payments, GPS maintains accurate location tracking, and the accelerometer and gyro sensors provide precise gaming controls. Wi-Fi calling and OTG support make presentations and online classes hassle-free, while the side fingerprint scanner doubles as a convenient unlocking mechanism during messy hands-on activities.
Pricing and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy M36 5G is competitively priced. The 6/128GB variant is available for Rs 16,999, while the 8/256GB model costs Rs 21,499. Flipkart offers HDFC users Rs 1,500 cashback, and EMI options start at Rs 600 per month. Amazon bundles include a free tempered glass, and the resale value remains strong, retaining around 70% after two years thanks to software updates. Serene Green has emerged as the fastest-selling color due to its youthful appeal.
Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy M36 5G delivers a perfect balance of performance, durability, and display quality at an affordable price. Its 120Hz AMOLED screen, powerful Exynos 1380 chipset, long battery life, and versatile cameras make it ideal for students, gamers, and content creators. With six years of OS upgrades, hardware-level security, and thoughtful design, the M36 is built to handle daily use and campus life with ease.
Final Thoughts
For anyone seeking a budget-friendly phone that can handle gaming marathons, social media editing, and daily tasks without compromise, the Galaxy M36 5G is a smart and reliable choice. Its combination of performance, endurance, and student-focused features makes it one of the most compelling mid-range smartphones of 2026.
