Samsung has already started working on its mid-range smartphones for next year. For the first time, the Galaxy A36 has appeared, revealing what to expect from its processor, RAM, and operating system.
Galaxy A36 runs Android 15 out of the box
An unannounced Samsung smartphone with model number SM-A366B has appeared in Geekbench's database. Based on Samsung's model numbering and pattern, it is the Galaxy A36 with 5G connectivity.
As you can see in the screenshot below, the phone runs Android 15 (most likely One UI 7.0), which will likely be its pre-installed software. The device uses a combination of chipset and mainboard with the codename ‘Parrot.' The phone appears to have 6GB RAM, but there could be an 8GB RAM version of the Galaxy A36 when it launches early next year.
Its octa-core CPU has four high-performance CPU cores clocked at 2.4GHz and four power-efficient CPU cores clocked at 1.8GHz. Digging further into the Geekbench listing, we found that the chip uses the Adreno 710 GPU. So, the chip is either the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 or the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. Both chips are made using Samsung Foundry's 4nm (4LPX) fabrication process.
Since it uses a 4nm chip, it will likely have longer battery life compared to the Galaxy A35, which uses a 5nm chip. However, based on what we have seen about the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, the performance of the Galaxy A36 will be similar to the Exynos 1380-equipped Galaxy A35.
Since the Galaxy A16 5G was launched earlier this week with a promise of six major Android OS updates, it is likely that the Galaxy A36 will also get the same number of Android OS updates. So, Android 21 will likely be its last Android OS update.
The story continues after our Galaxy S24 FE camera review video.
Expected Galaxy A36 specifications
While we don't know other details of the Galaxy A36, Samsung could make improvements to the phone's display, bezels, and cameras. The phone will likely have a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, similar to the Galaxy A35. The company could increase the screen's brightness and trim down its bezels.
Another improvement that Samsung could bring is cameras. It could have a 32MP selfie camera and a 12MP ultrawide camera, similar to the Galaxy A55. Since the Galaxy A35 already has stereo speakers, an IP67 rating, and a 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging, the Galaxy A36 could carry forward the same specs.
