Samsung’s Galaxy A series has long catered to those seeking a modern-looking, reliable smartphone at a more accessible price point. The new Galaxy A36 fits this mold as well — but both professional reviews and user feedback paint a mixed picture. In this article, we compare the verdicts of tech experts with real-world user experiences to offer a clearer view of what this phone truly delivers.
Design and Build
Visually, the Galaxy A36 presents as a sleek, modern device. Experts highlight the 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, the use of Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both front and back, and the IP67 water resistance rating — a rare advantage in this price segment. The rear camera layout has been redesigned: instead of separate modules, the lenses are now vertically arranged in an elongated pill-shaped housing. This design choice, however, means the phone doesn’t sit completely flat on a table. Reviewers also criticize the removal of the microSD card slot, calling it a step backward in terms of flexibility.
In contrast, buyers are overwhelmingly positive about the phone’s appearance. Many describe it as "premium-looking" and "stylish." One user called it "sturdy and user-friendly." Negative feedback on the design is virtually nonexistent, suggesting that Samsung has successfully aligned with consumer taste on this front.
Display
The display is widely praised in professional tests. With a 120Hz refresh rate, 1080x2340 resolution, and a peak brightness of 1200 nits, the screen is described as vivid and highly legible — even in bright sunlight. Reviewers consider this one of the phone’s standout features.
Most users agree. The screen is often described as "bright and smooth," and many appreciate how the high refresh rate makes navigation feel snappy and responsive. However, a few users reported the opposite — saying the display is "not bright enough," which points to some inconsistency in user experience. This variation could stem from environmental factors, personal expectations, or even differences between device batches.
Camera
When it comes to the camera, opinions begin to diverge more sharply. Experts describe the triple-camera setup — featuring a 50 MP main sensor, 8 MP ultra-wide, and 5 MP macro lens — as "decent," but nothing exceptional. The front camera’s 12 MP resolution is noted as a slight downgrade from the previous model, though improved HDR video support helps offset this. Criticisms include slow portrait rendering and weak digital zoom performance, while macro shots and more neutral color processing received praise.
Users are far more divided. Some praise the image quality as "clear, vibrant, and detailed," calling the camera "excellent" for everyday use. Others, however, are deeply disappointed — with one user comparing it unfavorably to a "2 MP camera." Several reviewers call the camera "average" and "not worth the price." This wide range of experiences suggests that the camera’s performance may vary significantly depending on user expectations and use cases.
Performance
Under the hood, the Galaxy A36 runs on a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor with 6 GB of RAM. According to benchmarks, CPU performance remains virtually unchanged from the A35, which testers found disappointing. GPU performance has improved slightly, but some minor stutters were observed during daily use. Still, the phone’s biggest strength is its software longevity: Samsung promises six years of Android OS and security updates — a major plus in this category.
User reviews reflect a similar split. Many European buyers describe the phone as "smooth" and "responsive" in everyday tasks. Meanwhile, users — particularly in India — report noticeable lag, slowness, and network instability. Some also criticize the user interface as "cluttered with pop-up ads" and emphasize that this is "not a phone for gaming." These complaints point to regional variation in performance or possible software optimization issues.
Battery and Charging
On paper, the 5000mAh battery should offer solid endurance. In controlled tests, an hour of YouTube playback drained just 5%, which testers found acceptable. Support for 45W fast charging is a welcome addition — although the lack of a charger in the box remains a sore point.
However, user feedback tells a different story. Many report that the battery "drains quickly" and "barely lasts a day," with some saying it provides just "2–3 hours" of usage on a full charge. One user noted that even after a full charge, the phone only lasted around six hours. These complaints starkly contrast the lab results, suggesting that real-world battery life may be more dependent on user behavior — or that unit variability may be more significant than expected.
Heating
Perhaps the most striking discrepancy between expert tests and user reports involves heating. While no professional reviews mentioned any overheating issues, numerous users say the phone gets uncomfortably hot — even during light use like browsing or watching YouTube. Heating was also reported during charging and photo-taking. That this issue was completely overlooked in testing raises questions about how well lab environments replicate everyday conditions.
Summary and Value for Money
According to professional reviews, the Galaxy A36 is a competent, if unremarkable, mid-range phone. Its strongest asset is the extended software support, but minimal performance improvements, the lack of expandable storage, and only modest hardware upgrades leave much to be desired. One expert summed it up by saying, "Samsung could have done a little more."
Users, meanwhile, are far more direct. While some still find the phone to be good value, many describe it as "a waste of money" and "the worst phone I’ve ever bought," largely due to heating, battery, and camera issues. One detailed review suggests the phone is only suitable for basic daily tasks and poorly suited to gaming, media consumption, or demanding workloads.
Verdict
The Galaxy A36 is a polarizing device. On paper, it offers plenty of appealing features and looks promising in controlled tests. But everyday users highlight critical flaws — especially overheating and battery life — that can't be ignored. If your needs are modest and you're looking for a phone for messaging, social media, and calls, this device may still be a reasonable choice. But for those seeking strong performance, gaming capabilities, or an outstanding camera, other options may serve you better.
