David Bridges
While I had high hopes of catching a glimpse of the Galaxy S25 Edge before the Mobile World Congress (MWC), my expectations were not met during Samsung’s pre-show briefing last week. Instead, what caught my attention was an enticing new option for budget-conscious consumers: the Galaxy A56. This smartphone will be available later this year, starting at a competitive price of $499 in the US (or £499 in the UK), making it slightly more affordable than the initial launch price of the Pixel 8a. Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy A36 and A26, priced at $399 and $299, respectively, expanding the A series lineup.
This year’s upgrades to the A series closely mirror the enhancements seen in the flagship S25. The new Galaxy A56 boasts a slimmer profile, measuring just 7.4mm compared to its predecessor’s 8.2mm, while featuring a larger 6.7-inch display. Notably, the previously prominent bezels on A series devices have been significantly reduced on the A56, creating a more modern and sleek aesthetic that aligns with consumer preferences.
The design of the A56 has received thoughtful updates, featuring a refined brushed metal frame alongside a unique design element: a slightly protruding bump on the side, where the volume and power buttons are located. During my brief interaction with the A56, I found this new feature quite appealing. Despite its larger 6.7-inch size, the phone felt surprisingly ergonomic and easy to handle, especially compared to the smaller 6.3-inch devices I typically use. This improvement in grip and usability could be a game-changer for users seeking larger screen experiences without compromising on comfort.
Camera specifications present a mixed bag this year. The front of the Galaxy A56 features a modest 12-megapixel selfie camera, while the rear camera setup includes an upgraded 12MP ultrawide lens, a 50MP main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, and optical image stabilization. Additionally, there remains a 5MP macro lens for detailed close-up photography, catering to niche user needs.
These new camera features incorporate several advancements from the S25 series, such as enhanced image signal processing that improves low-light performance significantly. The A56 also benefits from a suite of AI enhancements, including smarter subject recognition in portrait mode. Samsung claims the A56 can better identify elements like the sky, skin tones, faces, hair, and grass, leading to more impressive bokeh effects that enhance the overall photographic experience.
On the front of AI-driven image editing, the A56 introduces features like Object Eraser, video auto trim, and Create Filter, which allows users to take the color and tone from one image and apply it to another. The Best Face feature lets users select the best expressions from multiple shots, provided motion photos are activated. While these features may not be groundbreaking, their inclusion brings the midrange A56 closer to the premium functionality typically reserved for the Galaxy S25.
With One UI 7, the A56 enhances user experience through various style updates and home screen improvements, such as the Now bar, revamped notification panel, and scalable widgets available in multiple shapes and sizes. Samsung has also committed to offering six generations of operating system updates, an increase from four on the previous A55 model, along with six years of security updates to ensure long-term usability and protection.
As expected, the 5,000mAh battery remains unchanged from the A55, but the charging speed has been upgraded to a robust 45W. Samsung asserts that users can fully recharge the device in just over an hour. Additionally, the company has transitioned to its own 4nm Exynos 1580 chip, delivering around an 18% performance boost. With these enhancements, the A56 continues to converge towards the premium quality and feel associated with the flagship Galaxy S series.
As we dive into the peak season for midrange smartphones, the Galaxy A56 will be competing against recently launched devices like the iPhone 16e, while whispers suggest that the Google Pixel 9a may be unveiled very soon, further intensifying the competition in this space.
Discover the Features of the Galaxy A36 and A26
In addition to the A56, Samsung has introduced the Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G, both featuring vibrant 6.7-inch displays that can reach brightness levels of up to 1,200 nits and refresh rates of up to 120Hz. Each model comes equipped with the One UI 7 interface, which includes features like Circle To Search that were previously exclusive to higher-end models. The devices also sport triple rear camera systems anchored by a 50MP main sensor, though their ultrawide cameras are limited to 8MP, which falls short of the A56’s capabilities. Some software features, such as Best Face, are exclusive to the A56, but users will still find updated features like Object Eraser and Filters available on these more affordable models.
Ultimately, while the A36 and A26 boast the same IP67 rating and 5,000mAh battery as the A56, they come with 6GB of RAM. Additionally, the A36 is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, a different chipset than the Exynos 1580 found in the A56, which may impact performance and user experience.
Find Out When the Galaxy A56 Will Be Available and Its Pricing
In the UK, the Galaxy A56 is set to go on preorder starting March 2nd, with an official launch date of March 19th. It will be available in four attractive colors described by Samsung as “awesome”: Graphite, Olive, Pink, and Light Grey. While the term “awesome” may be subjective, it highlights the variety of options available. While US pricing has been confirmed, Samsung has not provided a specific release date for the US market, only indicating that it will be available later this year.
Ethan Carter
