Ah, the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G in Lavender—because nothing says “I’m a sophisticated tech enthusiast” like a “awesome” phone that looks like it was dipped in a vat of Easter egg dye. Samsung’s A-series has long been the brand’s way of saying, “We know you can’t afford the S-series, but here’s something that almost looks like it!” And the A36? Well, it’s here to continue that proud tradition with a few upgrades, a few compromises, and a color that samsung a36 reviewmakes you question whether you’re holding a smartphone or a scented candle.

Let’s dive into this lilac-tinted marvel and see whether it’s a budget masterpiece or just another phone that’s fine—because in 2025, fine might just be the most damning praise you can give.

Design

The Samsung Galaxy A36 in Lavender is, without a doubt, a looker. Samsung has mastered the art of making cheap phones feel expensive, and the A36 is no exception. The glossy back (which is a fingerprint magnet, because of course it is) shimmers under light, giving off that “I spent more than I actually did” vibe. The plastic frame is disguised well enough that you might mistake it for metal—until you tap it and hear that hollow thunk that reminds you, “Oh right, this is still a budget phone.”

At 6.6 inches, the A36 isn’t exactly petite, but it’s slim enough (8.2mm) that it won’t feel like you’re carrying a brick. The weight (195g) is just heavy enough to remind you it exists but not so heavy that your wrist gives up after scrolling Instagram for three hours. The Lavender color is… well, it’s lavender. If you’ve ever wanted a phone that matches your yoga pants or your grandma’s favorite soap, congratulations—this is the one for you.

The in-display fingerprint sensor is fine—it works most of the time, unless your fingers are slightly damp, in which case it just laughs at your attempts to unlock your phone. The side-mounted power button (which also doubles as a fingerprint sensor if you opt for that instead) is a nice touch, proving that Samsung still remembers that not everyone wants to smudge their screen to unlock their device.

Display

The A36 sports a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate—because in 2025, even budget phones are expected to scroll smoother than a politician’s apology tweet. The colors are vibrant, the blacks are deep, and the brightness is adequate (peaking at 1000 nits, which means you can almost see your screen in direct sunlight before squinting like a confused mole).

Is it as good as the S-series? Of course not. Does it get the job done? Sure. Watching YouTube on this thing is perfectly pleasant, provided you don’t compare it side-by-side with a flagship. The 120Hz refresh rate is a nice touch, though you’ll probably turn it down to 60Hz to save battery once you realize that smooth scrolling isn’t worth charging your phone twice a day.

Oh, and there’s a punch-hole camera. Because in 2025, we’ve collectively decided that notches are so 2018, and teardrops are for crybabies.

Performance: The “Good Enough” Philosophy

Under the hood, the A36 packs the Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)—a chipset that’s about as exciting as a lukewarm cup of tea. It’s fine for everyday tasks, meaning you can browse Twitter, watch TikTok, and even play some games without wanting to throw your phone into the nearest body of water. Just don’t expect it to handle Genshin Impact at max settings unless you enjoy slideshows.

The phone comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, depending on how much you’re willing to spend. If you’re the kind of person who keeps 47 Chrome tabs open while simultaneously running WhatsApp, Instagram, and a meditation app (that you never actually use), go for the 8GB version. Otherwise, 6GB will probably be fine, assuming you don’t mind the occasional stutter when switching apps.

Storage options are 128GB or 256GB, with no expandable storage via microSD—because Samsung knows that some of us still hoard memes like digital squirrels.

Cameras

The A36 features a very serious triple-camera setup:

• 50MP main sensor (f/1.8) – Decent in good lighting, struggles in low light, and will occasionally make your food photos look like they were taken in a haunted house.

• 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2) – Great for capturing more of whatever mediocre scenery you’re pointing your phone at.

• 5MP macro lens (f/2.4) – Because sometimes you really need to take a close-up of a leaf, I guess?

The 32MP front-facing camera is fine for selfies, assuming you enjoy Samsung’s usual beauty filters that make you look like a wax mannequin with suspiciously smooth skin.

Video recording maxes out at 4K@30fps, which is fine if you’re not trying to film the next Oscar-winning documentary. The stabilization is okay, meaning your footage will only look slightly like it was filmed during an earthquake.

Battery Life: The Marathon Runner Who Occasionally Takes Naps

The 5,000mAh battery is the A36’s saving grace. With moderate use, you’ll easily get through a full day—maybe even a day and a half if you’re not glued to TikTok. The 45W fast charging is… well, it’s not slow, but it’s also not fast by 2025 standards. A full charge takes about 70 minutes, which is just enough time to question all your life choices while staring at the charging animation.

Wireless charging? LOL. No. This is still a budget phone, and Samsung wants to remind you of that every time you consider placing it on a charging pad.

Software: One UI 7 

The A36 runs One UI 7 over Android 15, which means you get all of Samsung’s usual quirks—like Bixby (which you’ll disable immediately) and a bunch of pre-installed apps you’ll never use (looking at you, Samsung Free).

On the bright side, Samsung promises four years of software updates, which means your phone will stay relevant until approximately 2029—or until you get bored and buy a new one, whichever comes first.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G in Lavender is… fine. It’s not going to blow your mind, but it’s also not going to make you regret your life choices (unless you paid extra for the 8GB RAM model, in which case, maybe rethink your priorities).

Pros:

• Pretty Lavender color (if you’re into that)

• Solid 120Hz AMOLED display

• Decent battery life

Cons:

• Performance is mid at best

• Cameras are okay but nothing special

• No wireless charging

Final Score: 7.7/10 

If you’re looking for a good enough phone that won’t embarrass you in public (unless someone asks you to take a low-light photo), the A36 is a solid choice. Just don’t expect it to change your life—unless your life was severely lacking in pastel-colored tech.