Samsung launched the Galaxy M36 5G in India on June 27, 2025, at a starting price under ₹20,000, ₹17,499 for the 6 GB +128 GB model after bank discount. It was hyped with a bold tagline: “Now the Monster is back.” Samsung India rolled out a teaser video calling the M3x generation a “phenomenon… a movement.” That created an emotional expectation, especially from the youth who grew up associating the M-series with battery endurance, cameras, and value. They delivered Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection, a sleek 7.7 mm glass-decorated phone, a 120 Hz Super AMOLED display, and 6 years of software updates, but as many Indians later vocalized online, it felt more like a promise than a revolution.
The Hidden Compromise: Familiar Chipset, Smaller Battery, Old Notch
What Samsung didn’t spotlight loudly was that the Exynos 1380 is the same chipset found in last year’s M35, and that the battery capacity dropped to 5,000 mAh from M35’s 6,000 mAh. Forum posters and Reddit threads in India immediately picked up on this:
“They removed 6000 mha battery… same 3-year old Exynos 1380… For gimmicky AI…” and “M35 had punch-hole display, now they went back to notch?”
Also read: Why are People Still Talking About Redmi Note 14 Pro+ Even After 8 Months?
AI at the Price of Legacy Features
A big part of Samsung’s messaging was about new AI tools rolling out to this midrange device: Circle to Search powered by Google and Gemini Live for real-time visual chat. The idea was to democratize AI in mainstream smartphones, not let features stay limited to flagships. In India, where “AI phone” can capture headlines, that narrative initially landed. But social media users pointed out a trade-off, AI and long updates came at the cost of battery size and modern display hardware.
User Stories: Why They Feel Let Down
Here’s how some real Indian tech fans reacted:
From r/GadgetsIndia:
“M series without 6000mah same as A series now… what’s the point? M series will be cheaper then A… it’s all the same now.”
From r/samsunggalaxy:
“Notch is very old… Chinese brands are giving 6000mah or 7000mah in same price range with fast charger in box.”
They felt that Samsung had reversed what made M-series special, big battery and punch-hole displays. Instead they got a throwback notch and smaller cell.
But There Is Still Something to Like
Despite the undercurrents of disappointment, the M36 delivers on essentials:
- Brilliant 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel, 120 Hz refresh rate and Vision Booster, top-tier brightness even under Indian midday sun.
- A 50 MP OIS-equipped triple camera system, with auto night mode, 4K video on both rear and front camera, plus object eraser and photo remaster tools that appeal to social-media influencers on a tight budget.
- Strong build, ultra-thin 7.7 mm with Gorilla Glass Victus+, light weight and premium finish in colours like Serene Green and Orange Haze.
- Samsung’s long-term software promise, 6 generations of Android upgrades and 6 years of security support, unheard of at this price point.
So What Happens Next? A Quiet Winner or A Forgotten Hope?
By mid-July 2025, business reviewers called it a phone that quietly gets most things right but doesn’t make noise or take risks. That may sound lukewarm, but sometimes, consistency matters more to everyday users than hype.
For Indian buyers choosing between X-series flagships or Chinese imports offering massive batteries and 90 W chargers, the M36 stands apart as a balancing act: Indian brand trust, software assurance, AI features, and a clean-cut screen.
Read more: 6 Years of Updates, Powerful Battery and Amazing Screen – Samsung can do Wonders Again
Final Thought: The M36 Is a Mirror of Modern Indian Tech Expectations
The Galaxy M36 5G embodies the emotional tug-of-war in India’s smartphone market today. On one side, there’s demand for raw hardware, big battery, fast charging, modern display. On the other side, there’s growing value placed on software lifecycles, brand reputation, and the increasing allure of embedded AI features.
Samsung bet on the second side, but many young Indian consumers saw it as giving up legacy strengths. They were ready to pay ₹17K for a “monster” in battery and design, but instead got a “monster in updates and AI”, still worthy, but not exactly what they imagined.
If you’re sharing this with a friend, frame it like this: Samsung tried to reshape the M-series story, from battery champion to AI innovator. Indian users are asking, was that really the move they wanted?