Hey there, tech fans! Today, we’re taking a close look at the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G—a budget-friendly mid-ranger that’s landed in the UK for £399 (roughly $399 in the US as of March 17, 2025). I’ve been testing this phone to see if it’s worth your money, digging into its camera, gaming performance, battery life, and more. Let’s unpack it all and find out if this latest Galaxy A-series contender deserves a spot in your pocket.

Unboxing the Galaxy A36 5G: What You Get

First things first—let’s crack open the box. Inside, you’ll find:

• The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G (I got my hands on the “Awesome Lime” version—more on that in a sec)
• A USB-C to USB-C cable
• A quick start guide
• A SIM ejection tool
• Some recycled cardboard padding

That’s it—no charger, no case, no screen protector. Samsung’s keeping things lean, which isn’t a dealbreaker, but at £399, it feels a tad sparse compared to some competitors who throw in a few extras. Setup’s a breeze, though, so no complaints there.

Design: Familiar Vibes with a Few Twists

Samsung hasn’t shaken things up much from the Galaxy A35. Here’s what’s new:

• Display Size: It’s now a 6.7-inch AMOLED, up from 6.6 inches, thanks to slightly thinner bezels. They’re still a bit chunky at the bottom, but it’s progress.
• Build: Plastic edges with a brushed metal look (matte, so no fingerprint mess) paired with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back. It feels sturdy—not flimsy at all.
• Colors: Pick from Awesome White, Awesome Black, Awesome Lime, and Awesome Lavender. My Awesome Lime unit looks off-white at first, but tilt it in the light, and you’ll catch a subtle rainbow shimmer. It’s slick, though the glossy back does smudge.
• Durability: IP67 water and dust resistance means it can handle a splash or a dusty adventure.

After a few days, no scratches yet—but I’d grab a screen protector quick, since there’s none pre-installed. The big design change? The cameras are now stacked vertically in what Samsung calls a “linear layout” (I’m dubbing it the “camera schlong” because it’s catchier). It’s a small refresh, but it keeps things looking sharp.

Display: A Bright, Beautiful AMOLED

The 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED screen is a standout:

• Visuals: Crisp details, deep blacks, and vibrant colors—especially in Vivid mode. Movies and animations look fantastic.
• Brightness: It’s a touch brighter than the A35, making it great for outdoor use. I had no trouble browsing in sunlight.
• Refresh Rate: 120Hz keeps scrolling silky smooth.
• Downside: No HDR support on Netflix yet, which is a bummer for binge-watchers.

Compared to the A35, the difference is subtle, but the bigger size and brightness boost make it a treat for your eyes.

Software: One UI 7 Meets Android 15

The A36 runs Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI 7 layered on top. Here’s the rundown:

• Updates: Six years of OS upgrades and security patches—that’s support until 2031! Pretty impressive for a mid-ranger.
• Features: Split-screen multitasking is a breeze, Gaming Mode’s improved, and eSIM support is a win for travelers. You’ve also got handy tricks like Circle to Search and AI photo editing (custom filters are a blast), though the Object Eraser tool crashed on me a few times—probably a fixable bug.
• Bloatware: Samsung doubles up on Google apps (browser, health stuff) and preloads Facebook, Pinterest, and Microsoft junk. It’s cluttered and annoying.

The long update promise is a huge plus, but the extra apps? They’re a drag I could do without.

Performance: A Bit of a Stumble

The Galaxy A36 5G rocks a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip with 8GB of RAM. How does it hold up?

• Everyday Use: It’s fine for texting and scrolling, but it stutters here and there—One UI’s heft doesn’t help. Camera processing, especially for portraits, takes a few seconds.
• Gaming: Casual games like Call of Duty Mobile run smoothly, but try Genshin Impact, and it’s a choppy mess—frame rates drop to single digits on low settings. The larger vapor chamber keeps it cool, though—no overheating after an hour.
• Storage: 256GB built-in is generous, but the microSD slot’s gone (boo, Samsung!).

For £399, I expected more pep. Competitors like the Nothing Phone 3A deliver better performance for less cash. Gaming Mode’s a nice touch, but it’s basic compared to some rivals.

Battery Life: All-Day Power

The 5,000mAh battery is a champ:

• Endurance: It easily lasts a full day with mixed use (social media, calls, light gaming). Light users might stretch it to a weekend.
• Charging: Now at 45W fast charging (no charger included)—full juice in about 70 minutes. Not the fastest out there, but a solid jump from the A35’s 25W.
• Wireless Charging: Nope—some rivals offer it at this price.

It’s dependable power that won’t leave you scrambling for a plug mid-day.

Camera: Solid, Not Stellar

The camera setup is nearly identical to the A35:

• Rear: 50MP main (with OIS), 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro (still useless).
• Front: 12MP selfie cam (down from 13MP, but still decent).
• Performance:
• Daylight: Bright, punchy shots with good contrast. The 50MP mode adds detail.
• Low Light: Noisy but passable—OIS helps.
• Ultrawide: Okay, with softer edges.
• Macro: Skip it.
• Video: 4K/30fps (no 60fps) with solid stabilization and clear audio. Good for casual clips.
• Features: Custom filters are super fun—make them from any photo. Portrait mode nails edge detection.

It’s a dependable mid-range camera, but it won’t blow you away. The selfie downgrade doesn’t sting much—results are still solid for your socials.

Verdict: Does It Stack Up at £399?

So, is the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G worth it? Here’s the breakdown:

• Pros: Gorgeous AMOLED display, all-day battery, six-year updates, sturdy build.
• Cons: Choppy performance, no microSD, bloatware, minor camera upgrades.

At £399, it’s a tough recommendation. The Pixel 9a is around the corner, and options like the Nothing Phone 3A (or 3A Pro for a bit more) outpace it in power and value. If you love Samsung’s screens and long-term support, it’s a decent grab. Otherwise, there are better deals out there.

What do you think of the Galaxy A36 5G? Using it as your daily driver? Drop your take in the comments below! Stick around for more tech reviews, and have an awesome week ahead.

Cheers, folks!