Samsung is gearing up to introduce a fresh design approach with the upcoming Galaxy A36, signaling a departure from the established look of its A-series smartphones. Recent 3D renders, shared by Giznext and OnLeaks, provide a glimpse of these changes, particularly highlighting the back design and a thinner overall build. The renders suggest that the Galaxy A36 could bring a refined and modern aesthetic, blending familiar elements with a touch of nostalgia.
A Fresh Take on the Camera Layout
One of the most notable changes seen in the Galaxy A36 renders is the redesign of the camera module. Unlike the recent A-series models, where individual camera lenses were positioned separately, the A36 will feature a vertical camera island that groups the lenses together. This is a callback to older designs, such as the Galaxy A30s, where the cameras were similarly arranged.
The vertical alignment of the lenses in a single module not only simplifies the overall appearance but also adds a sense of cohesion to the back design. This subtle nod to Samsung’s past, while still maintaining modernity, could appeal to those who appreciate a clean and organized aesthetic.
Retaining Some Familiar Design Features
While the Galaxy A36 introduces new elements, it still retains some of the signature design aspects of Samsung’s A-series. One such feature is the “Key Island,” which refers to the bump housing the power and volume buttons. This design choice has been a staple of the A-series, ensuring that key functions are easily accessible without disrupting the device’s sleek appearance.
Despite the changes in the back design, the front of the Galaxy A36 remains similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy A35. The renders show a flat display with slightly asymmetrical bezels and a centered punch-hole for the selfie camera, which has become a hallmark of modern Samsung smartphones. Additionally, the device will retain an in-display fingerprint reader, which has become a standard feature in recent Galaxy A-series models.
A Slightly Larger and Slimmer Build
In terms of dimensions, the Galaxy A36 will see slight adjustments compared to its predecessor. The device will be marginally taller, measuring 162.6mm compared to the A35’s 161.7mm. This increase in height is partially due to a slight bump in screen size, with the Galaxy A36 offering a 6.64-inch display, up from the 6.60-inch screen of the A35. The larger screen will likely enhance the viewing experience, making the phone more suitable for media consumption, gaming, and productivity.
However, the most significant change comes in the form of the device’s thickness. The Galaxy A36 is expected to be slimmer than the A35, measuring just 7.4mm in thickness, a noticeable reduction from the 8.2mm thickness of its predecessor. Despite the thinner profile, the phone’s camera bump will add some depth, bringing the total thickness to 9.6mm when including the camera island.
The reduced thickness could make the Galaxy A36 more comfortable to hold and use, especially for users who prefer lightweight devices. Unfortunately, there is no official information yet regarding the battery capacity of the A36, but with the trend toward thinner devices, it will be interesting to see how Samsung balances battery life with the slimmer design.
Performance Expectations: New Chipset and Android 15
Performance-wise, the Galaxy A36 is shaping up to be a solid mid-range contender. The device was recently spotted on Geekbench, running Android 15, which suggests that it will be one of the first A-series phones to launch with the latest version of Google’s operating system. The new software should bring a host of new features, performance improvements, and enhanced security to the device.
As for the chipset, the details are still somewhat unclear. Reports suggest that the Galaxy A36 could be powered by either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 or the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2. This represents yet another shift in suppliers for Samsung’s A3x series, which has previously used MediaTek’s Dimensity 1080 chipset in the Galaxy A34 and Samsung’s own Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A35. Whichever processor Samsung ultimately chooses, the Galaxy A36 should offer improved performance, particularly in terms of multitasking, gaming, and overall speed.
Release Timeline and Other Leaks
While the excitement around the Galaxy A36 is growing, it’s important to note that the official release could still be several months away. Based on Samsung’s previous launch patterns, the Galaxy A36 is expected to make its debut sometime in early 2024, likely around March. The same timeline could apply to the Galaxy A56, which has also been the subject of recent leaks.
The Galaxy A56 is rumored to come with a new Exynos 1580 chipset, complete with AMD RDNA graphics, which would offer a significant boost in graphical performance compared to previous models. However, both the A36 and A56 are still months away from an official announcement, so fans will have to wait for more details as the release date approaches.
The Samsung Galaxy A36 looks set to introduce a fresh design while maintaining some of the familiar elements that have made the A-series popular. With a new camera island design, a slightly larger display, and a slimmer profile, the Galaxy A36 is shaping up to be a sleek and modern device that will appeal to a wide range of users. Add in the possibility of a powerful new chipset and the latest Android software, and it’s clear that the Galaxy A36 could be a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market when it launches in 2024.
