Samsung’s new Galaxy F36 5G lands in India at ₹17,500 for the 6 GB + 128 GB model, sliding neatly into the hotly contested sub-₹20K bracket.
The question is simple: with so many aggressive rivals, does the F36 give you enough for the money?
Here are clear, jargon-free thoughts to help you decide.
Design and Display Feel Premium
Samsung keeps the body slim at 7.7 mm and light at 197 g, then adds a vegan-leather back that looks more up-market than plain plastic finishes on most mid-range phones.
Up front, you get a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel with Full-HD+ resolution, a fast 120 Hz refresh rate, and tough Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection — features rarely bundled together at this price.
Outdoor visibility is solid, colours pop, and the tiny U-notch is easy to ignore
Performance and Everyday Smoothness
Inside sits Samsung’s own Exynos 1380 chip paired with UFS 2.2 storage. In regular use — social apps, streaming, navigation, even mid-tier gaming — the phone stays brisk and cool thanks to a vapour-chamber cooling system.
It is not a flagship processor, but it comfortably beats the Dimensity 6100-series chips you’ll find in phones like the Realme 11x and Poco X6 Neo.
One UI 7 based on Android 15 feels polished, and Samsung promises six major Android upgrades plus seven years of security patches — almost unheard-of below ₹20K
Camera Capabilities
The triple-camera stack is headlined by a 50 MP sensor with optical image stabilisation and 4K video recording, joined by an 8 MP ultra-wide and a 2 MP macro lens.
Daylight photos are crisp, low-light shots benefit from OIS, and 4K footage looks steady. A 13 MP selfie camera also shoots 4K video, handy for creators on a budget.
Battery Life and Charging
A 5,000 mAh battery easily spans a full busy day, and sometimes more, thanks to the efficient 5 nm chipset.
The 25 W wired charging is adequate but slower than the 33 W to 45 W solutions on Redmi, Realme and Poco rivals.
If you are often in a hurry for top-ups, this is one of the few compromises.
AI Tricks and Extras
Samsung bakes its latest AI toolkit into the F36: Circle to Search, Gemini Live, AI Edit suggestions and Object Eraser bring premium-series software to a mid-range phone.
Add NFC with Samsung Wallet, a side fingerprint reader, IP54 splash resistance, stereo speakers and a dedicated microSD slot up to 2 TB — features that collectively strengthen the value story
Worth the ₹17,500?
If your priority is longevity, a reliable camera with OIS, a vibrant 120 Hz AMOLED screen and assured long-term software support, the Samsung Galaxy F36 absolutely justifies its ₹17,500 tag.
You will have to live with 25 W charging and an Exynos chip that is solid rather than blazing fast, but for most Indian users seeking a balanced phone that should stay secure and up-to-date for years, the F36 makes a convincing case.
Buyers who value raw charging speed or bigger megapixel counts over software and durability may still lean toward other brands, yet for a polished all-round experience, Samsung’s latest F-series entry is a smart, future-proof pick.
