Samsung Galaxy F36 5G brings 6 years OS upgrades and Gorilla Glass Victus+ under Rs 20,000
Samsung has introduced a new budget smartphone in India priced under Rs 20,000. It’s the Galaxy F36 5G offering the One UI 7, a refreshing design and colour palette, and Galaxy AI. For those unaware, Samsung’s F-series lineup is exclusive to the e-commerce platform Flipkart. Samsung is reviving this particular series after almost two years, skipping the Galaxy F35 5G, and the last model being the Galaxy F34, which launched in August 2023. The Galaxy F36 5G seems best suited for buyers who prioritise brand trust, software longevity, and visual appeal over raw specs.
The Galaxy F36 5G stands out in the sub-Rs 20,000 segment with its clean, understated design. It features a leather-textured back panel that adds both grip and a more refined in-hand feel. Available in Coral Red, Luxe Violet, and Onyx Black, the phone adopts a more minimalist approach compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy F34, and many rivals in this range, offering a subtle aesthetic that doesn’t try too hard to grab attention.
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The smartphone packs a 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging support. The battery capacity appears decent for this price segment, but some phones offer more, such as the Realme 14T’s 6,000mAh battery and the OPPO K13’s 7,000mAh battery. These phones also offer faster charging speeds of up to 80W. In comparison, the 25W support on the Galaxy F36 will seem relatively slow.
On the software front, the Galaxy F36 5G runs Android 15-based One UI 7 out of the box. Additionally, you will receive six OS upgrades and six years of security updates. If you plan to use the phone long-term, rest assured that it will be updated for an additional six years. The handset also supports Google’s Circle to Search AI feature that lets you find information on anything displayed on your phone screen, and Gemini Live AI assistant for all your queries.
Up front, there’s a 6.7-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2340 pixels) Super AMOLED display with a U-shaped notch, 120Hz refresh rate, and a durable Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. Samsung’s known for its displays, so the Galaxy F36 is expected to deliver a vibrant display. Additionally, the Gorilla Glass Victus+ is a highly durable glass protection, making the phone more resistant to drops and scratches compared to its rivals in the segment. However, the dated notch display might not appeal to everyone, especially when punch-hole displays have become the norm.
The Galaxy F36 5G features a triple camera setup on the rear, comprising a 50MP primary sensor (OIS), an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro camera. For selfies, the Galaxy F36 features a 13MP front camera. The smartphone supports 4K video recording on the front and back. You also get AI features like Object Eraser, Image Clipper, Edit Suggestions, and Night Portraits.
The new Samsung smartphone also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a USB Type-C port, and a vapour cooling chamber for heat dissipation. It comes with 128GB onboard storage that can be further expanded up to 2TB via a microSD card.
The Galaxy F36 starts at Rs 17,499 for the 6GB + 128GB variant, while the 8GB + 128GB model is priced at Rs 18,999. The smartphone is scheduled to go on sale from July 29th on Flipkart.
Who is the Galaxy F36 for?
The Galaxy F36 seems best suited for buyers who prioritise brand trust, clean design, and long-term software support over high-end performance specs. It’s a strong option for casual users, students, or first-time smartphone buyers looking for a dependable everyday phone under Rs 20,000. That said, power users or gamers might find better value in phones like the CMF Phone 2 Pro, which features the MediaTek 7300 Pro chipset, or the Moto G96, which is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2.
The handset boasts several strong points, including a vibrant display, a versatile camera setup, and a refined aesthetic. However, it enters a crowded segment where rivals often offer more powerful hardware and faster charging at similar prices.
