Samsung Galaxy M35 vs M36: Why the Older Model Still Wins in Real Life
Samsung Galaxy M36 5G Launched, But Galaxy M35 Still Wins Where It Matters.
Samsung lovers’ wait for the new entrant in its M-series lineup is over, with the launch of the Galaxy M36 5G in India.
The big question now is whether the M36 5G is better than the M35 5G, or is the M35 5G still holding its ground? Our research analysis tells us that the Galaxy M35 5G is still a better and stronger budget option if you are a Samsung user.
Samsung launched the M35 5G last year to provide the best budget option to its loyal users. And this smartphone has given users great performance along with reliable hardware and good software support.
The battery life of this phone has also impressed the users a lot. Its successor, M36 5G lags behind its predecessor in these matters.
As a Samsung user, if you are thinking of upgrading your mobile phone, you will definitely look at the price along with the features and specifications.
In this case also, if you are looking for a budget Samsung market under INR 20000, then M35 5G is still a good option for you. Even if seen practically, Galaxy M35 5G scores higher.
Bigger Display Isn’t Always Better
Talking about the display, Galaxy M35 5G offers a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display. It gets a 120Hz refresh rate.
This is why the phone delivers vibrant colours and super-smooth scrolling. We also get to see peak brightness of up to 1000 nits in the M35 5G.
The good thing about this is that even when we use the phone outdoors, screen visibility is not a problem. The Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection makes this phone even more sturdy.
The new entrant in the Samsung Galaxy M-series, the M36 5G offers you a slightly bigger display size than the M35 5G. Its display size is 6.7-inch.
And it comes with an Infinity-U notch. But in the overall experience, we did not see any significant change.
The frame design of both these phones is different. But both have AMOLED display and 120Hz refresh. That is why there is no significant difference in the visual display as well.
Although the Galaxy M35 5G was launched in the smartphone market last year, it has a cleaner Infinity-O punch-hole design.
This makes this phone look more modern. If you don’t like the older teardrop notch, then the M35 5G looks more stylish.
If you’re interested in a more experimental display form factor, the Xiaomi Mix Flip 2 might grab your attention.
Performance: Same Chipset, Same Story
The Galaxy M35 5G is a perfect budget phone for routine use and multitasking, and you won’t have to pay a heavy price for it.
If you are a gaming enthusiast, this phone handles moderate games pretty well. Both these phones are powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset.
As Samsung users, we were expecting the M36 5G to enter the mobile market segment with a SoC upgrade, but nothing has changed in that.
Hence, the performance of both the phones will remain more or less the same. The performance of your phone having more or less RAM i.e. 6GB or 8GB will not make much difference in the performance of the phone as 1380 will deliver One UI 7 lag free smooth performance.
If you use your phone continuously for a long time, then your phone also needs cooling. Galaxy M35 5G comes with vapor chamber cooling. And it helps in maintaining the thermal efficiency of your phone.
If you’re looking for alternatives with more performance boost, the Poco F7 leaks confirm massive 7,550mAh battery, flagship design & Android 15 or the Vivo T4 Ultra launched in India with Dimensity 9300+ power and flagship camera may offer more value.
Battery & Software Support, Which One is Better
For those who were waiting for the launch of Galaxy M36 5G, the battery could be a surprise. And this is also a contentious question.
You get Galaxy M35 5G with a massive 6000mAh battery. The same Galaxy M36 5G has degraded its performance on this front.
Samsung has launched its new entrant M36 5G with a 5000mAh battery. This battery capacity is less than the predecessor, M35 5G. M36 5G does support 25W fast charging but you will also get a surprise that there will be no charger in the box.
It seems that Samsung is following the footsteps of other brands that have now stopped providing chargers with the phones.
And most brands are doing this these days. The battery life of Samsung Galaxy M35 5G is quite impressive. If you are a moderate user, you can keep your phone for up to two days without charging it.
We found the body of M35 5G to be comparatively better. Whereas M36 5G is a bigger SIM than this. Its body is 7.7mm.
But Samsung users will notice a compromise in its battery. If battery backup is more important for you, then M35 5G is a better option.
Apart from this, Samsung has promised 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches for the M35 which is slightly less than the 6 years commitment of the M36.
Launched in 2024, the M35 will still remain updated for several years, which is rarely seen in this price segment.
If you talk about Android updates, the Galaxy M36 5G falls a bit short on its previous sibling. While the M36 promised 6 years of Android updates, the Galaxy M35 5G provides you with 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches. This is a good commitment for both the phones in this price segment.
If you are looking for more phones with excellent battery life, the Vivo T4 Lite 5G with 6000mAh battery could also be a good option.
Camera Setup Gets Your Job Done
The M35’s triple rear camera setup comes with a 50MP primary sensor that also has OIS. It is accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro lens.
This setup isn’t revolutionary but it is definitely consistent. The image quality is quite good in daylight, and the dynamic range is impressive too.
The Galaxy M35 5G’s camera setup is considered a revolutionary camera setup. This phone has a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor.
It is accompanied by an OIS 8MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro lens. It provides consistency to your image, and its dynamic range and image quality in daylight are also very impressive.
For selfie lovers, M35 5G gives you a 13MP front camera. If you are an enthusiast of social media-ready shots then it also provides good quality shots for you.
If we talk about the camera setup of the Galaxy M36 5G, then it has been upgraded well. This smartphone comes with a 10-bit HDR video recording feature for both cameras.
But you will get to see the benefit of this feature only if you are a professional content creator. It can prove to be a game-changer for professional content creation.
But if regular and general photography is your thing, then M35 gives you good quality content at a lesser price than M36.
If you’re looking for a phone with equally powerful camera features, the Vivo X200 FE 50MP Triple camera specifications or the newly launched Jovi V50 5G series with quad 50MP cameras are promising.
Price & Value: Galaxy M35 Still Makes More Sense
There is a price difference between the two phones. If you are thinking of upgrading, do compare the price and features as well.
The Galaxy M35 could be an even better option for SP. In terms of pricing. The 6GB+128GB variant of the M35 5G starts at just ₹16,999, and the top 8GB+256GB model is priced at ₹21,499.
This is much cheaper than the M36, whose base variant with the same configuration starts at ₹17,499, and the top model is priced at ₹21,999, that too with a smaller battery.
There is no upgrade in Android and camera setup in Galaxy M36 5G. If these two are not very important for you, then M35 5G can be a good choice for you because the user experience of both is more or less the same.
If you’re shopping in this segment, don’t miss value-rich launches like Realme C73 5G, OnePlus 13s launches in India, or the Vivo S30 Pro Mini, which also offers flagship features at a compact size.
Samsung Galaxy M35 vs M36: Full Specs Comparison
| Feature | Galaxy M35 5G | Galaxy M36 5G |
|---|---|---|
Display |
6.6″ FHD+ Super AMOLED, 120Hz, Infinity-O |
6.7″ AMOLED, 120Hz, Infinity-U |
Chipset |
Exynos 1380 |
Exynos 1380 |
RAM/Storage |
6GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB |
6GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB |
Battery |
6000mAh, 25W Fast Charging, charger in box |
5000mAh, 25W Fast Charging, no charger |
Rear Camera |
50MP (OIS) + 8MP Ultra-wide + 2MP Macro |
50MP (OIS) + 8MP Ultra-wide + 2MP Macro |
Front Camera |
13MP |
13MP |
Design |
Infinity-O punch-hole |
Teardrop-style notch |
Software Updates |
4 yrs Android + 5 yrs security |
6 yrs Android + 5 yrs security |
Price (INR) |
₹16,999 (6/128GB), ₹21,499 (8/256GB) |
₹17,499 (6/128GB), ₹21,999 (8/256GB) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is better: Samsung Galaxy M35 or Galaxy M36?
The Galaxy M35 is better for users who value battery life and price. It offers a 6000mAh battery and a lower price point, while the M36 has only minor upgrades but costs more.
Does the Galaxy M36 5G have a better display than M35?
Not really. The M36 has a slightly larger display (6.7-inch vs 6.6-inch), but both feature AMOLED panels with a 120Hz refresh rate. The M35’s Infinity-O design may appeal more to those who prefer modern aesthetics.
Is there a difference in performance between M35 and M36?
No, both the Galaxy M35 and M36 are powered by the same Exynos 1380 processor. Daily performance and gaming capabilities are nearly identical.
Which phone has better battery backup: M35 or M36?
The Galaxy M35 5G has a larger 6000mAh battery compared to the 5000mAh battery on the M36. For longer usage and better battery backup, M35 is the better choice.
What is the price difference between Samsung M35 and M36?
The M35 starts at ₹16,999, while the M36 starts at ₹17,499. Both top out around ₹21,499–₹21,999, but the M35 gives you better battery and nearly the same specs at a lower price.
QuestionaHow many years of Android updates do M35 and M36 get?
Samsung promises 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches for the Galaxy M35. The M36 gets 6 years of Android updates, but both offer excellent long-term support.
Our Take
To sum it up, Samsung Galaxy M36 5G definitely brings some subtle design changes and extended software support, but it misses the mark where it matters most — battery, pricing, and practical performance.
Galaxy M35 5G still stands strong as a value-for-money phone with reliable performance, long battery backup, and consistent camera results.
If you’re a Samsung user looking for a smart budget upgrade, M35 5G continues to be the better choice even after the M36’s launch.
Disclaimer: This article is independently written and published by gadgetsy.in staff after thorough research and analysis from publicly available resources and tipsters. Pricing may vary from region to region and availability.
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