Samsung Galaxy M36 5G launches in India June 27 under ₹20K with AI camera, Circle to Search

Samsung is bringing its next mid-range champion - the Galaxy M36 5G - to India on June 27. Priced under ₹20,000, this new model packs modern features like AI-powered camera modes and Circle to Search with Google, a move that continues Samsung’s push to bring advanced features to affordable devices.

This isn’t just another spec-sheet launch. If you spend time in India’s bustling phone markets - like I recently did at a crowded electronics lane in Delhi’s Karol Bagh - you’ll hear Android fans buzzing about which brand offers the most “value.” Increasingly, Samsung is reclaiming attention in that conversation.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Galaxy M36 5G and why it matters for India’s price-sensitive yet tech-hungry market.

Galaxy M36 5G: Key Specs & Features

Thickness: Slim 7.7mm profile

Display protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus

Color options: Velvet Black, Serene Green, Orange Haze

Camera: Advanced 50MP OIS triple camera, 4K video recording on front and back, with Auto Night Mode boosting Samsung’s Nightography

AI features: Circle to Search with Google

Expected price: Below ₹20,000

Why This Launch Matters

In a competitive market packed with Xiaomi, Realme, and Vivo phones, Samsung’s mid-range Galaxy M-series has always walked a careful line: balancing “premium feel” with budget-friendliness.

But over the past year, Samsung’s India strategy has been getting sharper:

Aggressive AI-first positioning, seen in the Galaxy S24 lineup and now trickling down to M-series

Pricing under ₹20,000, targeting the huge <₹25k market sweet spot

Offline + Online retail focus, catching both younger online buyers and traditional retail customers

What Makes the M36 5G Different?

As one Bengaluru-based mobile dealer told me this week, “Customers now ask if a phone has AI tools or night photography. Samsung is smart to bring these premium-like features under 20k.”

That sentiment reflects the shifting demand: not just specs, but user experience, particularly for India’s social-media-heavy, camera-happy crowd.

The Circle to Search tool is another standout - letting users search anything on-screen with a simple gesture - it’s a feature Indian buyers previously saw only on Samsung’s flagship S-series.

The Competition Heats Up

With Realme and Redmi pushing sub-20k phones hard, Samsung’s AI-led approach is designed to pull Android fans who want Google tools and better cameras, but don’t want to jump to higher S-series price points.

US vs India: What’s Different?

In India, M-series devices hold a strategic role - competing aggressively on price and specs, often with country-specific models.

In the US, Samsung leans more on Galaxy A-series for mid-range, with AI updates arriving later to these lower-priced models.

So the M36 5G’s India-first launch (with AI features built-in) shows how Samsung tailors devices for local demand trends, a key reason its India smartphone share has stayed solid even amid Chinese competition.

Samsung’s Recent India Strategy Trends

AI-first messaging in every series, even sub-20k

Broader Bespoke AI ecosystem coming to India - Samsung just confirmed a June 25 launch of AI-driven appliances

Offline retail partner focus, blending Samsung Smart Cafés with online flash sales

Pushing affordable 5G phones - to match the fast-growing Jio and Airtel 5G networks

Personal Take

As someone who’s covered India’s smartphone scene for over a decade, this launch feels like a smart, timely move.

Just 2-3 years ago, many mid-range Samsung phones lagged in terms of AI and camera tools versus Xiaomi or Vivo.

But with Circle to Search, 4K video on both cameras, and AI-driven Nightography, the M36 5G finally matches Indian buyers’ current tastes: social-ready photos, smart AI, and price-conscious appeal.

Key Takeaways

Samsung Galaxy M36 5G launches in India on June 27, priced under ₹20,000

Features AI tools like Circle to Search, 50MP triple OIS camera, 4K video

Samsung India strategy focuses on affordable AI-first phones + fast 5G

Differentiates from US lineup - India gets more value-driven M-series

Competes directly with Xiaomi, Realme, Vivo in sub-20k market

Michael B. Norris is an experienced tech journalist who writes for TrendingAlone, covering the global smartphone industry.

With over 12 years of experience in mobile tech reporting, he has reviewed flagship and budget devices from every major brand.

Michael’s on-ground reporting from Indian tech markets brings a unique perspective to his coverage of emerging trends.

For official details and updates on Samsung’s Galaxy M-series lineup, visit the Samsung India smartphones page