GadgetByte Nepal

So, Samsung recently launched two new A-series phones in Nepal, and while we’ve already published our Galaxy A56 review, today I want to share my experience with its more affordable sibling, the Galaxy A36. I’ve been using it for a few days now, and I have some thoughts.

First off, let’s talk about the price. The 8+128 GB version of the A36 costs NPR 49,000, the 8+256 GB version is priced at NPR 55,000, and the 12+256 GB one will set you back NPR 60,000. Now I don’t know about you, but when I saw that price tag, I had to double-check if it was a flagship or just pretending to be one. Because honestly, for that amount, you’d expect a bit more sparkle.

But hey, Samsung isn’t just selling specs. When you buy a Samsung phone, you’re also buying a longer relationship. You get years of software updates, a brand name that turns heads at family gatherings, and you don’t have to rob a bank thanks to their EMI options. So it’s not all bad.

Samsung Galaxy A36 review: Specifications

• Dimension and Weight: 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm, 195 gm
• Design and Build: Glass front, plastic frame, glass back
• Protection: IP67 dust/water resistant
• Display: 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,200 nits
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, 4nm process
• RAM: Up to 12GB
• Storage: Up to 256GB (non-expandable)
• Rear Cameras: 50MP (main) + 8MP (wide-angle) + 5MP (macro)
• Front Camera: 12MP (HDR video)
• Battery: 5,000mAh, 45W fast charging
• Check out the full specifications of the Galaxy A36 here
• Buy Galaxy A36 with Free 25W Charger here

Samsung Galaxy A36 review:

And although you don’t get a charger inside its box, you do get a 25W Samsung charger for free, which made me smile a little. Thanks, Samsung.

Design and Build

• 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm, 195 g
• Glass front, plastic frame, glass back
• IP67 dust/water resistant

So the design, yes. Holding the phone, it feels surprisingly premium. The back is glass, giving it that “flagship-lite” vibe, though the frames are still plastic, which slightly ruins the illusion. But the weight feels right. It’s not so light that it feels cheap, and not so heavy that it gives you wrist cramps.

Honestly, it feels just as premium in-hand as the pricier A56. Also, props for including IP67 dust and water resistance. This phone can survive a few splashes or an accidental dip in a teacup.

While the camera layout has changed a little, I actually prefer this new look. It’s subtle but catches the eye, like a fresh haircut that makes people look twice.

Display

• 6.7 inches Super AMOLED
• 120Hz refresh rate, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
• 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak)

Now onto the display. This is where Samsung flexes its muscles. You get a gorgeous AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate that makes everything from scrolling to gaming feel smoother than your best pick-up line. It’s bright enough for sunny days, and the touch response is top-tier. Watching YouTube videos is a treat thanks to HDR support and those deep blacks and vibrant colors.

That being said, I felt like the bezels are still kind of chunky, especially for a phone that costs this much. And don’t get me started on the fingerprint sensor. It works, but it’s placed so low that unlocking your phone feels like you’re doing finger yoga. Stretch and unlock.

Haptics are where things take a bit of a dive. Typing on this phone feels like your fingers are being buzzed by an over-caffeinated mosquito. It’s the same issue the A35 had, so I was hoping Samsung would improve this. But nope, they passed the buzzy scepter straight to the A36.

Performance

• Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)
• Up to 12GB RAM, 128/256GB UFS 2.2 storage

Let’s move on to performance. This year, Samsung dropped its Exynos chips and jumped on the Snapdragon train. The A36 is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, which sounds fancy until you actually use it. Honestly, it doesn’t feel like a major leap over the Exynos 1380 in last year’s Galaxy A35 (review).

Whether you’re scrolling, opening apps, or switching between them, the phone handles it well enough, but there’s definitely no sense of “wow, this is fast.” It’s more like “yep, it’s working.”

Ummmm…. about gaming, you can play games, sure. PUBG runs fine at 60 fps, and Genshin Impact is playable at 30 fps, but it’s more of a “good enough” experience than a great one. If gaming is your main priority, this phone might leave you a little underwhelmed.

Software

• Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7

But while the performance isn’t blowing anyone’s mind, the software experience definitely makes up for it. You get Samsung’s latest One UI 7, and it feels smooth, clean, and well-polished. It’s the same interface you get on their premium phones, and it comes with six years of updates. That’s basically longer support than some relationships last, lol.

Having those long-term updates adds resale value, and it makes it easier to pass the phone down to a sibling or parent without worrying about security patches. One UI also comes with a sprinkle of AI features like an AI eraser, “Circle to Search”, note summaries, and other tools that make life a little easier. It doesn’t have the full suite of AI bells and whistles like the S-series, but what’s here works well.

Battery

• 5000 mAh
• 45W wired, 66% in 30 min, 100% in 68 min

Battery life is decent. The 5000 mAh battery easily gives you around 7 hours of screen-on time, which is solid but not groundbreaking. Some Chinese phones these days are throwing in 6000+ mAh batteries like it’s a party, but Samsung is sticking with the tried and tested Li-Ion tech. It gets the job done, but don’t expect marathon endurance.

Charging speed has gotten a small upgrade. The A36 supports 45W charging now, which means you can go from 0 to 50% a bit quicker than the old 25W, though the overall charging time still isn’t night and day. It’s like switching from a bicycle to an electric scooter, I mean, faster, yeah, but you’re not breaking any speed records.

Cameras

• 50MP main + 8MP ultrawide + 5MP macro
• 12 MP selfie

Main camera

Now, about the cameras. You get a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 5MP macro. Sound familiar? That’s because it’s basically the same setup as last year.

The main camera takes decent photos with good color science and nice details, though sometimes shadows get crushed, and the dynamic range could be better.

During the night, I like that night mode works well enough, and I also like that the shots aren’t overly processed.

But when it comes to human subjects, the lack of a telephoto lens means portrait shots are stuck at 1x zoom. Skin tones are nice, but subject separation is hit or miss. And maybe Samsung could’ve at least given a 2x option for portraits as well.

Ultra-wide camera

The ultra-wide camera is passable, but nothing to write home about.

It lacks sharpness and dynamic range, and sadly, you can’t shoot ultra-wide videos in 4K. The macro camera is honestly just there to fill a spec sheet. It exists, but you’ll probably use it once, go “meh,” and forget it forever.

Selfie camera

On the bright side, selfies are pretty solid.

Skin tones look natural, and you can shoot selfie videos in 4K, which is great for social media. Regular video recording is decent too, with good stabilization and accurate colors.

Samsung Galaxy A36 review: Conclusion

So, wrapping up this review, I’d say the Samsung Galaxy A36 is a decent phone with some nice features. But at this price point, it doesn’t really blow me away. If you’re dead set on buying a Samsung phone and don’t want to cross the 50K mark, then sure, go for the A36.

But if you’re fine with a non-Samsung phone, then there are better phones in this price range. Like the Nothing Phone (3a) (review), Honor 200 (review), or the CMF Phone 2 Pro (review).

In short, the A36 is like ordering a fancy meal that tastes okay but leaves you thinking, “Maybe I should’ve just spent a bit more for the steak.”

Samsung Galaxy A36 review: Pros and cons

• Watch our video review of Samsung Galaxy A36