The Samsung Galaxy A36 didn’t make sense for $400, but I don’t have any complaints for $50

There have been plenty of smartphones this year that made no sense at their initial MSRP. Unfortunately, the Samsung Galaxy A36 fits that description. For $400, there were better options with more RAM. However, at a solid discount, those misgivings melt away. It’s easier to focus on the many positives of the Galaxy A36, such as its gorgeous display and extended software support.

Thankfully, Mint Mobile has a way to save a significant amount of money on the Galaxy A36. When purchased as a bundle, you can pick up a Galaxy A36 for $50, while also getting a Mint Mobile Unlimited plan for a year at 50% off — that’s $530 in total savings. If you’re already looking to switch carriers, it’s an excellent opportunity to keep some hard-earned money in your pocket on a solid smartphone.

What I like about the Samsung Galaxy A36

Outstanding display and solid battery life

The one feature on the Galaxy A36 worth the price of admission from the start is its display. The phone features a gorgeous 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen that’s bright and vibrant. Colors pop off the panel, and I’m impressed by the displays Samsung has put on its midrange phones.

It also features a solid build quality, with Gorilla Glass Victus+ protecting its front and back. It has a plastic frame, but I don’t find that detracts from the experience, especially if you’re using a case. I wish Samsung had added more than 6GB of RAM, but the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset powering the Galaxy A36 still does the job. It’s snappy for daily tasks, and light gaming isn’t a problem.

Software support is where the Galaxy A36 excels, especially at a discount. Samsung promises six years of OS upgrades and security patches, meaning you’ll get new versions of One UI for a long time. One UI is solid and definitely adds value to midrange phones. It’s feature-rich and well-optimized.

The 5,000mAh battery on the Galaxy A36 lasts me well into a second day on a single charge, and 45W wired charging isn’t bad for Samsung.

I even get decent photos from the phone’s 50MP primary sensor. The 8MP ultrawide and 5MP macro lenses are nothing worth writing about, but in decent lighting, you can get a good image from the Galaxy A36. All told, it’s an attractive package, especially if you’re only paying $50 for the phone.