– particularly these made by Samsung.
In reality, I not too long ago had some in depth hands-on time with a Galaxy A35, and I used to be fairly impressed by how well-balanced this telephone is given the reasonably priced worth (via numerous retailers).
And if the current leaks are something to go by, the Galaxy A36 would possibly seem like a correct (Samsung) flagship – extra particularly, the
, and that’s one thing you wouldn’t count on from a telephone that’s $250 cheaper.
The cherry on prime? A soar from 4 to six years of Android updates in comparison with the Galaxy A35 – a world’s first.
That being mentioned, it’s not all roses – Samsung would possibly nonetheless play it low cost on the subject of the remainder of the telephone, which makes me surprise… Is a design refresh sufficient to make up for the shortage of any significant {hardware} upgrades on the within?
Anyway, judging by the leaked images, it appears to me the Galaxy A36’s show borders might need the identical dimensions as these on the considerably costlier Galaxy S24 FE flagship, which might be superior given the A35’s thick bezels.
Nevertheless, much more surprisingly (a minimum of to me), the design refresh appears to incorporate a thinner physique, which is completely in step with 2025 smartphone developments (7.4mm on Galaxy A36 vs 8.2mm on Galaxy A35), however not in step with Samsung’s sluggish design improve “coverage”. It’s a constructive plot twist!
World’s first: Galaxy A36 to grow to be the primary $400 telephone ever to supply 6 years of OS and safety updates (Android 15 to Android 21)
One other main improve on the Galaxy A36 is the truth that it’s going to launch with Android 15 / One UI 7 out-of-the-box. One UI 7 is but to debut on the Galaxy S24 sequence, however it has been rumored to be Samsung’s most fluid UI ever (after all, we’ll have to attend and see how that goes).
Nevertheless, what’s fairly secure to imagine is that the Galaxy A36 will deliver a whopping 6 years of OS updates, which is a primary for a $400 telephone (at launch).
After all, the query whether or not the Galaxy A36 will be capable of (correctly) deal with being up to date to Android 21 is greater than legitimate, however Samsung’s dedication remains to be a giant deal for these planning to maintain/hand down their Galaxy A36 for years to come back.
The soar from 4 to six years of Android updates on the mid-range “A” sequence will make the Galaxy A36 (and A56) superior offers in 1-2 years after launch too.
Galaxy A36: Samsung’s standard $400 Galaxy “A” sequence telephone lastly appears the half, however is that this sufficient to make up for the shortage of any significant {hardware} upgrades?
The Redmi Observe 14 Professional+ is powered by the identical chip anticipated to characteristic within the Galaxy A36, however apart from that, it boasts far superior {hardware}.
Equivalent chipset (however from Qualcomm), and sure the identical digicam, show, and battery because the Galaxy A35 and A34?
Ultimately, whereas all the design-related and software program assist upgrades sound nice, the leak additionally says Samsung will probably use the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 as a substitute of an Exynos chip for the A36, which might be a primary for the A3x sequence.
Nevertheless, the unhealthy information is that the explanation for the change to this explicit Qualcomm chip is probably cost-cutting.
The Exynos 1380 and Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 are virtually equally as highly effective, and the previous is powering the present Galaxy A35. So, I do not assume that is the constructive SoC improve we have been hoping for – even when we’re taking a look at a Qualcomm chip.
Then again, the costlier Galaxy A56 is anticipated to get a newly introduced Exynos 1580, which makes you surprise… Why wouldn’t Samsung give the A36 the Exynos 1480 (from the A55? It is what occurred final 12 months within the transition from the A34/54 to the A35/55 sequence.
Galaxy A36: Is the design refresh making an attempt to distract from the ageing inside {hardware}?
What concerning the remaining 90% of the telephone, Samsung?
SoC apart, the leak does not point out digicam, battery or show specs, however I definitely hope we’ll lastly see some upgrades there because the A35 used the identical cameras, show and battery because the A34.
That being mentioned, understanding how conservative Samsung has grow to be on the subject of {hardware} upgrades (seemingly influenced by Apple?!), I will not be shocked to see the identical comparatively mediocre digicam, show, and battery {hardware} within the A36.
I say “comparatively” mediocre, as a result of I am positive the A36 will stack up properly towards the $1,000 Galaxy S25+ – particularly given the massive worth hole. Nevertheless, if Samsung was to maintain these {hardware} elements unchanged, the Galaxy A36 might sound moderately outdated subsequent to one thing like a Xiaomi Redmi Observe 14 Professional+, which has a correct 2.5x zoom digicam, a really brilliant display, and a loopy 6,200 mAh battery with 90W charging.
So… The place do YOU stand on this one? Is Samsung doing sufficient to make the Galaxy A36 interesting given the competitors? Or is the design refresh meant to distract from the ageing inside {hardware}?
