Samsung Galaxy M36 Teased Ahead of India Launch

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy M36 is gearing up for its launch in India, as teased through a promotional banner on Amazon. The teaser offers a first look at the phone’s rear camera design, hinting at a refreshed aesthetic. While the official launch date remains unconfirmed, the teaser follows recent sightings of the Galaxy M36 on the Samsung India website and Geekbench, where several key specifications were revealed.

Samsung Galaxy M36 India Launch: What We Know So Far

The Galaxy M36 is officially confirmed to launch in India, with Amazon teasing it as a “Monster AIcon” — clearly emphasizing the device’s AI-powered features. Although Samsung hasn’t shared an exact release date yet, the official teaser suggests the announcement is just around the corner.

From the teaser image, it's clear the phone will sport a triple rear camera setup arranged vertically. The design appears to be slightly updated compared to the Galaxy M35, indicating Samsung is aiming for both aesthetic and performance upgrades in this new model.

Samsung Galaxy M36 GeekBench Listings 

The Samsung Galaxy M36 has surfaced on a well-known benchmarking platform, offering early insights into its chipset, RAM, and Android version. While Samsung has yet to officially confirm the device’s existence, it's widely believed to be the successor to the Galaxy M35 5G, which launched in India in July 2024. That model featured the Exynos 1380 processor and offered up to 8GB of RAM. The Galaxy M35 ran on Android 14 with One UI 6, and its successor—the Galaxy M36—is also expected to debut with an Exynos chipset, likely continuing Samsung’s trend in this series.

According to a recent Geekbench listing, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy M36 is expected to be powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset—the same processor used in its predecessor, the Galaxy M35. While this chipset delivers solid mid-range performance, it's somewhat surprising that Samsung is opting not to upgrade the processor for a phone launching nearly a year later.

Despite this, the Galaxy M36 is anticipated to bring notable improvements, particularly in the area of AI integration, as highlighted in early teasers. On Geekbench, the device recorded 1004 points in the single-core test and 2886 points in the multi-core test.

The benchmark listing also reveals that the Galaxy M36 will feature 6GB of RAM and will come pre-installed with Android 15, layered with Samsung’s One UI 7.

Samsung Galaxy M36 Expected Specifications

The rumored Samsung Galaxy M36 has surfaced on Geekbench, carrying the model number SM-M366B, which likely corresponds to its global variant. The listing reveals the presence of an octa-core processor with four high-performance cores clocked at 2.40GHz and four power-efficient cores at 2.0GHz. This configuration closely matches the Exynos 1380 SoC, the same chip used in the Galaxy M35.

According to Geekbench, the Galaxy M36 will also feature an Arm Mali-G68 GPU, at least 6GB of RAM, and run Android 15 layered with Samsung’s One UI 7. In terms of performance, the device scored 1,004 points in the single-core test and 2,886 in the multi-core test.

Given that the Galaxy M35 shared many similarities with the Galaxy A35 5G, it’s reasonable to expect the Galaxy M36 might adopt features from the recently launched Galaxy A36 5G, which debuted in India in March. However, the A-series phone is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, indicating Samsung may continue to differentiate its M and A lineups based on processors while offering overlapping hardware.

The Galaxy A36 5G boasts a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. It includes a triple rear camera setup featuring a 50MP main sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro unit. For selfies, there’s a 12MP front-facing camera. The A36 also offers IP67-rated water and dust resistance and is fueled by a 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy A26 5G also runs on the Exynos 1380 chipset and shares some specs with the A36. However, it comes with a 13MP selfie camera and supports 25W wired charging, reflecting subtle downgrades for a more budget-friendly positioning.

The Galaxy M36 may follow a similar strategy—offering a powerful and balanced experience at a competitive price, possibly blending performance from the M-series and features from the A-series.

Final Thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy M36

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy M36 appears to be shaping up as a compelling mid-range smartphone that builds on the strengths of its predecessor, the Galaxy M35. With its recent Geekbench appearance, some of its core specifications have already come to light, suggesting a familiar yet refined approach by Samsung.

Powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset, the Galaxy M36 is expected to deliver solid performance for everyday use, multitasking, and moderate gaming. While some users might have anticipated a newer or more powerful chipset, the Exynos 1380 has proven itself capable in previous models, striking a balance between performance and energy efficiency. The inclusion of Android 15 with One UI 7 also ensures users get the latest software experience with added features and security improvements.

The teaser images hint at a redesigned rear camera layout, and rumors suggest improvements in AI capabilities, which could enhance photography, performance, and overall user interaction. If Samsung continues with the same 6,000mAh battery and 50MP camera setup seen in the M35, we can expect the M36 to offer impressive endurance and reliable camera output as well.

Samsung’s M-series has always been about value for money, and the M36 will likely maintain that philosophy. Whether it borrows additional features from the A-series lineup, like fast charging or IP ratings, remains to be seen. However, the focus on AI and the refreshed design suggest Samsung is trying to give the M36 a distinct identity in the mid-range space.

In conclusion, the Galaxy M36 looks promising for users seeking a reliable smartphone with long battery life, a clean software experience, and potential AI enhancements. If priced competitively, it could be a strong contender in India’s crowded mid-range smartphone market.