Samsung Galaxy M36 Review: Sleek Design, Long Software Support, But Is It Worth It?

Price starts at ₹17,499 — the Samsung Galaxy M36 arrives as a slightly cheaper alternative to last year’s Galaxy M35, but with a few trade-offs. While Samsung has refined the design, improved the cameras, and promised a whopping 6 years of software support, it has also made some cuts: a smaller battery, a dated notch display, and no real upgrade in performance.

So, is the Galaxy M36 a smart buy, or just an incremental update? Here’s my full review after daily use.

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Verdict

The Galaxy M36 feels like a step forward in some areas but a step back in others. The sleeker design, addition of OIS in the main camera, and unmatched software support are definite wins. But the smaller battery, unchanged processor, and slower charging hold it back.

If you care about clean software, dependable cameras, and long-term updates, this phone should be on your list. But power users may want to look elsewhere.

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Design & Display

Samsung has given the M36 a refreshed design. The camera module is now a pill-shaped island (a neat upgrade from last year’s separate rings), and the glossy metal-like finish keeps fingerprints mostly away—though the Haze Orange unit I tested smudges easily.

• Thickness: 7.7mm
• Weight: 197g
• Speakers: Single, bottom-firing
• Fingerprint Scanner: Side-mounted (fast & reliable)

The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display offers FHD+ resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. While it looks sharp with punchy colors, the waterdrop notch and chunky chin feel outdated compared to rivals.

Samsung claims 1000 nits brightness, but in testing it only hit 504 nits, which means it struggles outdoors in harsh sunlight. To make things worse, the single speaker sounds tinny, dampening the overall multimedia experience.

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Cameras

The triple-camera setup consists of:

• 50MP OIS primary lens
• 8MP ultrawide
• 2MP macro

The big upgrade is OIS, which helps in both photos and videos.

• Daylight: Natural colors, but weaker dynamic range and softer details compared to rivals like the Moto G96.
• Ultrawide: Decent, but lacks color consistency with the main lens.
• Portraits: Great edge detection, though tones lean cooler.
• Selfies: Very detailed, though skin tones are slightly better on the Moto G96.
• Low Light: Decent exposures but visible noise in dark areas.

Overall, it’s reliable for casual photography, but not the best in this price bracket.

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Performance & Software

Powered by the Exynos 1380 chip with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage (expandable), the M36 handles everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and light gaming with ease.

The real highlight here is 6 years of software support (major OS + security updates). That’s something you rarely see at this price.

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Battery & Charging

Here’s the compromise:

• Battery size: 5,000mAh (down from 6,000mAh on the M35)
• Lab test result: Lost 23% after 2 hours of gaming + streaming (slightly better than segment average of 24%)

It’s good enough for a full day’s use, but heavy users will notice the downgrade. Charging speeds also remain average, with no real improvement over last year.

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Final Verdict

At ₹17,499, the Galaxy M36 competes directly with the Moto G96 and CMF Phone 2 Pro. Both rivals offer stronger performance and better battery life, while Samsung’s edge lies in software support and stability.

If you want peace of mind with years of updates, dependable cameras, and a refined design, the Galaxy M36 is a safe bet. But if raw power, brighter displays, or bigger batteries matter more to you, competitors are the better choice.

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👉 Bottom Line: The Galaxy M36 is a classic case of give and take. Not a game-changer, but a solid choice for those who value software longevity over raw specs.