Samsung Galaxy A36 review

Design, build quality, handling

The Galaxy A36 looks a lot like the previous Galaxy A models - a flat dual-glass design with a flat plastic frame. It is IP67-rated for dust and water resistance. Compared to the Galaxy A34 and Galaxy A35, the new model is slightly taller and wider due to the larger 6.7-inch AMOLED screen.

The Gorilla Glass Victus+ front panel is here to stay, but Samsung has now used the same glass on the rear side. It is shatter-proof and hopefully will remain whole in case of a drop.

Samsung has retired the clean three rings arrangement in favor of a thick long black piece that houses the same cameras as the Galaxy A35. It seems this was an intentional change, but not one that needed to be done because of new imaging hardware.

In terms of colors, the Galaxy A36 is now available in (Awesome) Lavender (ours), Black, White, and Lime - somewhat different hues from the Galaxy A35's.

On the other hand, the Galaxy A56 and A36 look identical, even the technical differences are minor, so we can understand quite a few people mistaking those two. That's why they launch in different colorways, we guess. And to be honest, we like the ones of the A36 better.

The entire front of the Galaxy A36 is occupied by the new 6.7-inch AMOLED screen. It has an extended 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and a small perforation for the updated 12MP selfie camera. There is no official HDR video support.

What won't be immediately obvious is the fact that there is an under-display fingerprint sensor, which is of the optical kind and works reliably though it could be faster.

And the earpiece above the front camera, which also doubles as a stereo speaker.

The Galaxy A36 is just 1 millimeter taller than the A35, and weighs 14 grams less, but has a larger display, which means its screen bezels have shrunk a bit. And that's always nice.

The back of our Lavender unit is flat, all glossy, and with this mesmerizing aurora-like hue. Depending on the light you will see it differently each time. It gets smudged fast, but fingerprints are not as apparent.

The plastic frame is flat and has a matte finish unlike the Galaxy A56 where it has a brushed metal look.

Here, it houses two mics at the bottom, next to the dual nano-SIM slot and the other stereo speaker. The microSD expansion is gone, you can only find that on the Galaxy A26 this year.

Another two mics are at the top of the phone.

Overall, the Galaxy A36 offers a solid build, one that has stood the test of time and is preferred by millions of users out there. The phone feels comfortable in a hand and offers good enough grip for most day-to-day operations.