Samsung is bringing its Android 16-based One UI 8 update to more affordable phones. After debuting with the 7th generation foldables — the Galaxy Z Fold7, Z Flip7, and Z Flip7 FE. The mid-range Galaxy A56 was spotted last month on the company’s test servers running an Android 16-based build.

Now, the software is being tested on budget-friendly models, including the Galaxy F34 and M36 — signaling that Android 16-based One UI 8 is on its way to a wider audience. In addition to appearing on test servers, the latter has also been spotted on Geekbench running the latest Android version.

Internal test builds point to early preparations for a stable rollout. Unlike Samsung’s flagship S25 lineup, which participates in a public beta program, the budget devices are expected to skip betas and jump straight to the final version — a typical move for Samsung.

One UI 8 introduces smarter features like enhanced Live Translate and Circle to Search, paired with a sleeker interface and smoother animations. While Samsung hasn’t confirmed an official timeline, signs point to a possible August release. And with the company now promising up to seven years of software support for many of its phones, even mid-range and budget models stand to benefit from long-term updates. The M36 5G, for instance, is set to receive up to six major Android updates

If all goes smoothly, Galaxy F34 and M36 users may soon enjoy the latest Android features without having to break the bank.

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Samsung may have already rolled out the Galaxy M36 5G, but the Galaxy M35 5G continues to hold its ground as a compelling budget pick in the brand’s mid-range arsenal.

Launched last year, the M35 offers just the right blend of dependable hardware, long software support, and massive battery life, something the new M36 doesn’t dramatically improve upon. For anyone looking for a budget Samsung phone under Rs. 20,000, the M35 is still a smart and practical choice.

Display That Still Feels Premium

The Galaxy M35 5G features a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. It gets bright too, up to 1000 nits of peak brightness, making it easy to use outdoors. Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection also gives it a durability edge in this segment.

While the newer M36 bumps the display size slightly to 6.7 inches and switches to an Infinity-U notch, it’s not a dramatic shift in experience. Both panels are AMOLED and 120Hz, so you’re essentially getting the same visual quality, only the design framing changes.

For those who prefer the cleaner Infinity-O punch-hole design over the older teardrop notch, the M35 actually looks more modern despite being older.

Performance That Holds Up

Powered by the Exynos 1380, the same chipset used in the newer M36, the M35 5G delivers solid performance for day-to-day tasks, multitasking, and even moderate gaming.

Samsung hasn’t upgraded the SoC for the M36, meaning performance is identical across both generations. Whether you go for the 6GB or 8GB RAM variant, the Exynos 1380 handles One UI 7 smoothly, with minimal stutter or lag.

You also get vapor chamber cooling on the M35, which helps with thermal efficiency during prolonged use.

Camera Setup You Can Trust

The M35’s triple rear camera setup is led by a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, flanked by an 8MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro lens. It’s not revolutionary, but it’s consistent, and image quality is respectable in daylight with good dynamic range. The 13MP selfie camera inside the punch-hole notch is more than enough for social media-ready shots.

The Galaxy M36 introduces 10-bit HDR video recording for both front and rear cameras, which is a welcome addition, but unless you’re doing professional-level content creation, it won’t be a game-changer for most users. For general photography, the M35 still holds its own.

Battery Beast with Long-Term Support

The Galaxy M35 packs a massive 6000mAh battery, larger than the M36’s 5000mAh, and supports 25W fast charging. Samsung doesn’t ship a charger in the box, but that’s now standard practice across most brands.

Battery life on the M35 is exceptional. This phone can comfortably last two days with moderate use. In comparison, the M36 is slimmer at just 7.7mm and lighter, but that comes at the cost of battery capacity. If endurance is a priority, the M35 wins hands down.

Plus, Samsung has promised four generations of Android updates and five years of security patches for the M35. That’s not far behind the M36’s six-year commitment. For a phone that launched in 2024, it still has years of updates left, which gives it longevity rarely seen in this price segment.

Pricing That Undercuts the Successor

Here’s where the Galaxy M35 makes even more sense: pricing. The M35 5G currently starts at just Rs. 16,999 for the 6GB+128GB variant and Rs. 21,499 for the top 8GB+256GB model.

That’s significantly cheaper than the M36, whose base variant starts at Rs. 17,499 for the same configuration and Rs. 21,999 for the top-tier model with a smaller battery.

If you’re not chasing marginal upgrades like Android 15 out of the box or a few grams less in weight, the M35 gives you nearly the same experience at a lower cost.

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Samsung’s newly launched Galaxy M36 5G has entered the Indian market with a slick promotional campaign, but it’s already facing heat online. A teaser video released on Samsung India’s YouTube channel has sparked backlash from fans, with many pointing out noticeable downgrades from the previous model — leading Samsung to briefly disable comments.

The Galaxy M36 5G went official on June 27, 2025, as an Amazon-exclusive device priced at ₹16,999 (with offers) for the 6GB + 128GB variant. On paper, it offers a solid mix of specs: a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate, Exynos 1380 chipset, 50MP OIS main camera, and a 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging. It ships with One UI 7 based on Android 15, and Samsung promises six years of software support.

However, it was the promotional video uploaded on June 30 that stirred controversy. Viewers quickly pointed out a few key downgrades compared to the Galaxy M35 — including the return of the older Infinity-U notch design instead of a more modern punch-hole, a smaller battery (5,000mAh vs 6,000mAh), and the lack of stereo speakers.

The feedback was swift and overwhelmingly negative. YouTube users criticized the design shift, with some calling the notch “outdated” and questioning the overall value of the device. Others expressed disappointment that the Exynos 1380 — the same chip used in the M35 — was reused without meaningful performance improvements.

At one point, Samsung India disabled comments on the teaser, likely in response to the wave of criticism. While the section has since been reopened, fresh complaints continue to roll in. The comment section now questions whether the M36 justifies its price given the limited upgrades.

Samsung is highlighting other aspects of the phone, such as its slim 7.7mm profile (vs 9.1mm M35), Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection, and Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search.

Whether its sleek design and software support can outweigh the criticisms remains to be seen.

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(Via)

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Samsung has launched the Galaxy M36 5G in India ahead of its upcoming Galaxy Unpacked event on July 9. This new addition to the M series brings several upgrades in display, performance, and software.

Samsung Galaxy M36 5G features

It features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1080 × 2340 pixels, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ to help reduce damage from minor drops and scratches. The phone is powered by the Exynos 1380 processor built on a 5nm process, paired with Android 15 and Samsung’s One UI 7. The phone is available in two configurations: 6GB + 8GB RAM and 128GB + 256GB. Storage can be expanded using a microSD card via the shared SIM slot.

The Galaxy M36 5G has a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 50MP main sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro camera. It supports 4K video recording at 30fps. On the front, the phone includes a 13MP camera that also supports 4K video capture.

New AI tools include Circle to Search with Google, Google Gemini Live for real-time visual Q&A, and AI Select for quick content creation and organization.

Audio is handled by stereo speakers, though the phone lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG, and satellite positioning support via GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, and QZSS. It does not support NFC or FM radio. The phone includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and standard sensors. It packs a 5000mAh battery with 25W wired charging support.

Pricing & availability

The Galaxy M36 5G will be available in three color options: Orange Haze, Velvet Black, and Serene Green. Open sales begin on July 12, 2025, through Amazon India, Samsung’s official website, and offline stores. The starting price is ₹16,499, including bank offers.

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