Samsung Galaxy M36 Review: Best Budget Smartphone at ₹13,999 During Amazon Great India Festival?

The Samsung Galaxy M36, priced at a jaw-dropping ₹13,999 during the Amazon Great India Festival 2025, is being hailed as the best smartphone under ₹15,000. With a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, a 50 MP triple camera, 6 years of Android updates, and Galaxy AI features, it promises flagship-like quality at a budget price. But does this deal live up to the hype, or is it a trap to avoid? We unpack the Galaxy M36’s design, performance, camera, and value to determine if it’s a must-buy or a skip during the festive sales.

Targeted at students, first-time buyers, and budget-conscious families in India, the M36 aims to deliver premium features without breaking the bank. Let’s dive into this comprehensive review to see if it’s the perfect pick for you.

Introduction

As festive sales like the Amazon Great India Festival and Flipkart Big Billion Days roll out in 2025, budget smartphones become the hottest buys, with discounts tempting buyers to upgrade. The Samsung Galaxy M36 stands out at ₹13,999 (down from its launch price), positioning itself as a steal in the sub-₹15,000 segment. With a Super AMOLED display, a 50 MP main camera, and Samsung’s promise of 6 years of Android and security updates, it’s a compelling option for those seeking durability, performance, and modern features. But festive deals can be deceptive, with some compromises hidden beneath the shiny offers. In this review, we’ll explore the M36’s strengths, flaws, and value, leveraging insights from Tech Burner’s hands-on experience to guide your purchase decision. Is this the best budget phone of 2025, or should you look elsewhere?

Quick Overview & Key Specs (Table)

Here’s a quick snapshot of the Galaxy M36’s specifications:

This table highlights the M36’s premium display and long-term software support, but let’s break down the details.

Design and Build: Sleek and Premium

The Galaxy M36 impresses with a premium design that belies its budget price. At 7.7 mm thick and 197 g, it’s slim and lightweight, with a boxy design inspired by Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Z Fold series. The Gorilla Glass Victus+ front offers robust protection, typically seen in phones twice the price, ensuring durability against drops. However, scratches are a concern, so a tempered glass protector is recommended for long-term care.

The plastic back sports a matte finish with a light-reflective pattern, giving it a premium vibe. Available in Orange Haze, Green, and Purple, the Purple variant stands out for its sleek, modern look. The levitated camera module, a platform-style design borrowed from Samsung’s high-end phones, adds sophistication, housing the triple cameras flush to avoid wobble. The phone feels sturdy in-hand, with no creaks, and the IP54 splash resistance protects against light rain or spills—a rarity under ₹15,000.

Ergonomics: The boxy shape feels slightly wide, but the slim profile balances it out. Side-mounted buttons are tactile, and the USB-C port is sturdy. The lack of a charger in the box (only a Type-C to Type-C cable) is a downside, typical of budget phones, so factor in a separate 25W charger cost (~₹1,000).

Takeaway: The M36’s premium build, Gorilla Glass Victus+, and stylish design make it a standout, though the plastic back and no charger are minor compromises..

Display: Vibrant but Dated Notch

The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display is a showstopper, offering Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080) and a 120 Hz refresh rate. It delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and crisp visuals, ideal for YouTube 4K videos, Netflix streaming, or social media scrolling. The smooth refresh rate ensures fluid animations and scrolling, rivaling phones like the Poco M6 Pro or Redmi 13C. Peak brightness (~800 nits) handles outdoor use well, though it’s not class-leading.

The waterdrop notch, however, feels dated compared to punch-hole designs on competitors like the Moto G64. It slightly intrudes on content, but the AMOLED panel’s quality overshadows this flaw, offering rich contrast for gaming and movies. Touch response is snappy, and the display supports HDR10 for enhanced streaming.

Takeaway: The Super AMOLED display is a highlight, delivering flagship-like visuals, though the waterdrop notch is a step behind modern trends

Camera: Budget Brilliance

The Galaxy M36’s triple rear camera setup includes:

• 50 MP main (f/1.8, OIS): Captures vibrant, detailed photos with natural skin tones and excellent light balance, even in mixed lighting. Colors are slightly saturated for a punchy look, ideal for social media.
• 8 MP ultra-wide (f/2.2): Offers a wide field of view for landscapes and group shots, with good color accuracy but softer details in low light.
• 2 MP macro (f/2.4): Decent for close-ups but limited by resolution.

The 13 MP front camera delivers sharp selfies with natural skin tones, perfect for video calls and Instagram. Both rear and front cameras support 4K video recording with OIS, ensuring stable footage during motion—a rare feature at this price. The OIS mechanism produces a faint hum but keeps videos shake-free, ideal for vlogging or action shots.

Galaxy AI enhances photography:

• Photo Remaster: Auto-optimizes images for brightness and clarity.
• Object Eraser: Removes unwanted elements (e.g., a tower) seamlessly.
• Image Clipper: Extracts subjects to create stickers for WhatsApp or social media.

A drawback is the lack of a 2x zoom in portrait mode, limiting flexibility compared to phones like the Realme Narzo 70. Still, the 50 MP sensor outperforms budget rivals like the Moto G54 in detail and color accuracy.

Takeaway: The 50 MP camera with OIS and Galaxy AI features delivers impressive photos and videos, though portrait zoom is missed.

Performance: Reliable but Familiar

Powered by the Exynos 1380 (5nm) processor, paired with 4 GB or 6 GB RAM and 128 GB storage (expandable to 1 TB via microSD), the M36 handles daily tasks with ease. Social media, web browsing, and study apps run smoothly, with no lag during multitasking. The Mali-G68 MP4 GPU supports casual gaming, running BGMI at 60 FPS on medium settings. Dropping to low settings ensures smoother gameplay, but don’t expect high-end performance like the Poco X6 with its Dimensity 6080.

The Exynos 1380 is efficient, keeping the phone cool during extended use, and One UI 7 optimizes performance for budget hardware. Compared to rivals like the Redmi 13C (Helio G85), the M36’s processor offers better efficiency and future-proofing, though heavy gamers may want a higher-tier chip.

Takeaway: The M36 delivers reliable performance for daily use and casual gaming, making it a solid pick for budget buyers

Battery and Charging: All-Day Power

The 5,000 mAh battery lasts over a day for normal users (social media, calls, browsing), with 5–6 hours of screen-on time. Heavy users (gaming, streaming) may need a nightly charge, but Samsung’s optimization ensures efficiency. The 25W fast charging takes ~90 minutes for a full charge, competitive but slower than the Poco M6 Pro’s 33W. No charger is included, so budget for a compatible adapter.

Takeaway: The battery life is reliable, and 25W charging is decent, but the lack of a charger is a minor inconvenience

Software: AI-Packed and Future-Proof

Running One UI 7 on Android 15, the M36 offers a clean, ad-free experience—a rarity in budget phones. Samsung’s software is smooth and intuitive, with 6 years of Android OS updates (up to Android 21) and 6 years of security patches, ensuring longevity unmatched by competitors like Xiaomi or Realme. Features like Circle to Search (press and hold to search objects on-screen) and AI-driven photo editing add flagship flair.

Pros: The interface is lag-free, with customizable themes and no intrusive ads. Cons: Some settings (e.g., wallpaper changes) require extra steps, and the budget processor can stutter during heavy multitasking. Connectivity includes 5G, Wi-Fi 5, and dual SIM, with reliable call quality and network performance.

Takeaway: One UI 7’s clean interface and long-term updates make the M36 future-proof, though minor software quirks exist.

Comparison Table

The M36 5G shines in software and AI but lags in charging speed and notch design.

Key Pros & Cons (Snapshot)

Pros:

• Stunning 6.7-inch Super AMOLED with 120 Hz
• Impressive 50 MP camera with OIS and 4K video
• 6 years of Android and security updates
• Premium Gorilla Glass Victus+ build
• Galaxy AI features enhance photography

Cons:

• Dated waterdrop notch design
• No charger in the box
• No 2x zoom in portrait mode
• Exynos 1380 not ideal for heavy gaming

Buyer’s Guide: Who’s It For?

• Camera Buffs: 50MP OIS and AI for vibrant shots.
• Budget Buyers: Value-packed at ~₹19,999.
• Samsung Fans: One UI 7, long updates.
• Vloggers/Students: 4K video, vibrant display. Check Flipkart, Amazon India, or Samsung stores for deals.

Verdict: Buy or Skip at ₹13,999?

The Samsung Galaxy M36 at ₹13,999 (or ~₹12,999 with bank offers) is a steal during the Amazon Great India Festival. Its Super AMOLED display, 50 MP OIS camera, and 6 years of updates set it apart in the sub-₹15,000 segment, offering flagship-like features for budget buyers. The Exynos 1380 handles daily tasks and casual gaming well, and Galaxy AI adds creative flair. Minor drawbacks—waterdrop notch, no charger, and limited portrait zoom—don’t overshadow its value. Ideal for students, professionals, and families, it’s a must-buy if you prioritize display quality, camera performance, and software longevity. Skip it only if you need a gaming-focused chip or faster charging.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy the 2025 Samsung Galaxy M36 5G

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About the Author

Technology Gyan

Technology Gyan is a Mumbai-based tech journalist with 7 years reviewing smartphones for 91mobiles, TechBit, and Indian outlets. He’s tested over 100 devices, guiding buyers to the best picks.

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