The Samsung Galaxy M36 5G is now official in India, stepping into the mid-range market with a serious pitch: Galaxy AI, a slick design, and six generations of Android upgrades. Positioned as a direct successor to last year’s M35, the M36 5G brings meaningful updates under the hood and on the surface, all while maintaining a competitive price point under ₹22,000.
Galaxy AI Comes to the Mid-Range Segment
Samsung is bringing its premium Galaxy AI suite to the masses through the Galaxy M36 5G. This includes tools like AI Select for smart object editing, real-time translation, and image enhancement, along with Google’s Circle to Search and Gemini Live integration. These features are designed to simplify everyday tasks — think of identifying an unknown building by circling it, or using Gemini to summarize your WhatsApp chat history while commuting.
Samsung says the M36 5G is not just about performance and battery life, but about bringing “meaningful innovation” to more people. With AI capabilities now standard even in mid-range phones, Samsung is clearly betting big on software-led experiences.
A Display That Balances Performance and Protection
The phone features a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, the display is built to survive rough handling. While the Infinity-U waterdrop notch might feel dated in 2025, the overall visual experience still feels flagship-level — vibrant colors, responsive touch, and smooth transitions across apps and media.
Surprisingly, Samsung retains the Infinity-U waterdrop notch, which feels a bit dated in 2025. However, the display quality itself, backed by HDR capabilities and smooth scrolling, helps soften that design compromise.
Slim Design With Powerful Internals
Measuring just 7.7mm in thickness, the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G is the slimmest phone in the M-series lineup yet. Despite the slim profile, it houses a 5,000mAh battery, a vapor cooling chamber, and a solid Exynos 1380 processor. It’s available in 6GB and 8GB RAM variants with up to 256GB storage.
The phone runs on Android 15 with One UI 7, offering a refined software experience. What really stands out is Samsung’s commitment to six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security patches — practically unheard of in this price range and perfect for users who keep phones for 3–5 years.
Triple Camera Setup With 4K and OIS
On the rear, the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G sports a triple camera module headlined by a 50MP sensor with optical image stabilization. It’s complemented by an 8MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro shooter. The camera is capable of 10-bit HDR video recording and 4K footage from both the front and rear sensors — which is rare in this segment.
The 13MP selfie shooter also supports 4K recording and fits into the small U-shaped notch on the front. Users can expect dependable camera performance in good lighting and useful software features like night mode and portrait assist.
Built for Long Days, With One Compromise
The phone packs a 5,000mAh battery and supports 25W wired charging, enough to easily last a full day even for heavy users. However, Samsung continues its trend of not including a charger in the box, which might be a downside for new buyers. Still, if you already own a USB Type-C fast charger, you’re good to go.
Samsung has also implemented AI battery optimization tools to manage app usage and extend battery health over time.
Pricing That Hits the Sweet Spot
The Samsung Galaxy M36 5G is priced as follows:
- ₹17,499 for the 6GB + 128GB variant
- ₹18,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model
- ₹20,999 for the 8GB + 256GB option
Samsung is also offering a ₹1,000 bank discount, bringing the starting price down to ₹16,499. The phone will be available from July 12 on Amazon India, Samsung’s official online store, and select retail outlets. It’s available in three striking colours: Orange Haze, Serene Green, and Velvet Black.
Samsung Galaxy M36 5G — A Well-Rounded Mid-Ranger for 2025
With Galaxy AI, premium display specs, long software support, and efficient performance, the Samsung Galaxy M36 5G offers serious value. While the notch design and missing charger may seem like drawbacks, they’re outweighed by the software innovation and long-term support packed into this sleek device.
For anyone seeking a phone under ₹22,000 that can go the distance — both in battery and software years — the Galaxy M36 5G is one of Samsung’s most complete offerings in this segment yet.
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