Samsung is pushing the boundaries of its mid-range lineup with the new Galaxy A series, aiming to bring premium experiences to a wider audience. With the launch of the Galaxy A56 5G, alongside the A36 and A26, the brand is making a conscious effort to democratise its Galaxy AI features. While these models don’t offer the complete AI suite found in the flagship S-series, they give users a taste of what Samsung’s next-gen software is capable of—from smart photo editing to AI-powered productivity tools.
Samsung Galaxy A56
38,999
What Is Good?
- Sleek, stylish design
- Reliable day-to-day performance
- Six years software support, Smooth software
- Vivid, 120Hz AMOLED display with Gorilla Glass Victus+
- Good battery life
- Decent rear camera performance
What Is Bad?
- Charging speed lags behind some competitors
- Average gaming performance at high settings
- No IP68 rating
- No charger in the box
Leading the pack, the Galaxy A56 5G is the most premium of the trio, featuring Samsung’s Exynos 1580 chipset—an upgrade over last year’s Exynos 1480, offering a noticeable bump in everyday performance and efficiency. What’s even more notable is Samsung’s commitment to longevity, with the A56 promising up to six years of software and security updates. On paper, the smartphone checks a lot of boxes—but is that enough to make it the ultimate mid-range all-rounder? Especially with multiple alternatives available in this price range. Let’s find out in this review.
Design and Display
The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G doesn’t stray too far from the visual identity of its predecessor, the Galaxy A55. But look closer, and you’ll spot the refinements that elevate it. The most noticeable design shift is the new ‘Grouped Linear Floating Camera’ island—Samsung’s take on a clean, pill-shaped module that now houses all three rear sensors. This replaces the previously scattered individual camera rings and brings a more streamlined and cohesive aesthetic.
Samsung has also shaved off some bulk this time around, making the A56 about 10% slimmer and lighter than the A55. With just 7.4mm of thickness (down from 8.2mm), the phone feels impressively sleek in hand, yet surprisingly sturdy, thanks to the Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on both sides and an aluminium frame that adds a premium touch. That said, Samsung misses out on an IP68 rating which is quite common in this price range.
We tested the Awesome Olive colourway, and it’s, well… awesome. The subtle green tone has a classy vibe that catches light tastefully without screaming for attention, while the glossy glass back does a good job of keeping smudges at bay. Button placement is ergonomically sound, and Samsung’s attention to detail is evident in the slightly raised frame where your thumb naturally rests, ensuring you don’t accidentally press the volume rocker or power key.
| Design | Specifications |
| Weight | 198 grams |
| Thickness | 7.4mm |
| Colours | Awesome Graphite, Awesome Olive, Awesome Light Gray |
| IP Rating | IP67 dust and water resistant |
| Port and Button Placements | Bottom: Primary microphone, USB-C port, Speaker grille, SIM tray Top: Secondary microphone Right Side: Volume buttons and power button |
Flip the Galaxy A56 around, and you’re greeted by a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display that continues Samsung’s reputation for making some of the best panels in the game. It offers Full HD+ resolution, a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 1,900 nits, which means the screen holds its own even under harsh sunlight.
Colours are punchy, blacks are deep, and viewing angles are excellent—just what you’d expect from a Samsung device. Unfortunately, there is no HDR support in this phone. However, it is Widevine L1 certified, so you can stream your favourite shows in full HD on Netflix, Prime Video, and other OTT platforms.
| Display | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.7-inch |
| Type | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 60-120Hz |
| Peak Brightness | Claimed: 1900 nits |
As for audio, the smartphone features a hybrid stereo speaker setup with a bottom-firing primary speaker and an amplified earpiece. Together, they deliver decently loud output with minimal distortion, even at higher volumes. The audio won’t blow you away with bass, but it does the job just fine for casual content consumption, video calls, or scrolling through Reels and YouTube Shorts.
Hardware, Software, and AI
While the Galaxy A36, which launched alongside the A56 5G, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (SM6475-AB) built on the 4nm process, Samsung has taken a different route with the Galaxy A56 5G.
It is the first device to be powered by the in-house Exynos 1580 chipset, also based on a 4nm architecture and paired with the Xclipse 540 GPU. This hardware setup is tuned for smooth and consistent everyday performance. Our review unit featured the top-end configuration with 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, and it handled daily tasks like multitasking, app switching, and media streaming without breaking a sweat.
Synthetic benchmarks place it somewhere in the midrange zone, but the real-world experience remains fluid. As you can see above, in the AnTuTu tests, it is ahead of its sibling, Samsung Galaxy A26, but lags behind the recently launched Google Pixel 9a. Having said that, the device is perfectly suited for casual gaming and social media usage, though it may show some strain under heavier, graphics-intensive games at high settings. That said, most users won’t be left wanting in terms of day-to-day performance.
From the 12GB RAM, around 11.14GB is usable, and with default apps running, approximately 6GB is available. Samsung’s RAM Plus feature further adds up to 8GB of virtual RAM by intelligently utilising internal storage, but this is more of a gimmick and not actual RAM. As for storage, out of the 256GB available on our unit, 224.3GB remains free for user data and apps.
| Hardware | Specifications |
| Processor | Exynos 1580 |
| RAM | Up to 12GB |
| Storage | Up to 256GB |
| CPU Throttling Test | 90% of its max performance |
| Software Version | Android 15 (One UI 7) Six years of OS and security updates |
| Connectivity Details | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.3 |
On the software front, the Galaxy A56 5G runs Android 15 with Samsung’s latest One UI 7 layered on top. While the unit shipped with the January 2025 Android security patch, timely updates are expected. Samsung continues to set the bar when it comes to software longevity, offering six years of OS and security updates, even on its midrange devices like the A56 5G.
One UI 7 strikes the right balance between simplicity and customisation. I personally have a soft spot for this UI. Still, in my opinion, even novice users can personalise their phones thanks to intuitive features like wallpaper-based theming, redesigned widgets, and icon styling. Over time, the attention to detail becomes apparent—be it matching notification tray colours to your wallpaper or resizing lock screen widgets for a personalised look.
Like mentioned earlier, the highlight for the A series device this time is the AI features. The Galaxy A56 5G includes Generative Wallpapers, Best Face (which lets you choose the best expressions in group photos), Object Eraser, Auto Trim for videos, and Read Aloud. The handy Device Care hub lets you monitor and optimise battery, storage, RAM, and overall performance in one place.
The phone comes preloaded with a handful of third-party apps like Netflix, Facebook, Spotify, Truecaller, Blinkit, and Microsoft Office tools, including Outlook and OneDrive. Most of these are optional during setup. While you won’t encounter intrusive ads, you may see occasional notifications about new Samsung products. That’s an annoying thing to deal with considering the phone’s asking price.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, headlined by a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 5-megapixel macro unit. On the front, there’s a 12-megapixel selfie camera that also gets a meaningful upgrade vis-à-vis the Galaxy A55.
| Camera | Specifications |
| Primary Camera | 50-megapixel, OIS, f/1.8 aperture |
| Secondary Camera | 12-megapixel ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture |
| Tertiary Camera | 5-megapixel macro, f/2.4 aperture |
| Selfie Camera | 12-megapixel, f/2.2 aperture |
| Video Recording Capabilities | Up to 4K at 30fps |
Samsung has integrated AI-powered enhancements across the camera system, and the impact is noticeable in everyday use. The primary camera excels in delivering vibrant, true-to-life photos without going overboard on saturation, a common trait in Samsung phones. Shots look natural and balanced, even post-processing, which gives the A56 a reliable edge for point-and-shoot photography.
The 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens is ideal for landscape and group shots, offering a wider field of view without compromising too much on quality. What stands out is the colour consistency between the main and ultra-wide sensors—no dramatic shifts or dull edges here, just a smooth transition across both perspectives.
Portraits are classic Samsung: crisp subject separation, excellent edge detection, and that sweet spot of bokeh that’s neither too harsh nor too subtle. The AI-powered Best Face feature subtly refines facial details without veering into the over-smoothened zone—a refreshing balance between realism and enhancement.
There’s no dedicated telephoto sensor, but the 2x zoom toggle crops from the main sensor. While you do lose some sharpness, especially when compared to 1x shots, the results remain perfectly usable for social media or casual photography.
Low-light photography is where the Galaxy A56 pulls in the big guns with its Night Mode. It helps reduce grain, enhances shadows, and brings more accurate colours into play. While the detailing still falls a little short of flagship levels, it’s impressive for this price segment and more than enough for your nighttime Instagram stories.
Selfies deserve a shoutout, too. The upgraded 12-megapixel front camera captures sharp, well-detailed photos with vibrant colours and an impressive dynamic range. Whether you’re shooting in bright daylight or under indoor lighting, the results are clean and social-ready—no filter required.
Overall, the Galaxy A56 strikes a great balance between hardware and smart AI software, delivering an all-around dependable camera experience that’s just a notch below Samsung’s flagship territory.
Battery and Charging
The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G packs a 5,000mAh battery—a capacity that’s become more or less the norm in most smartphones today. Thankfully, it’s not just about the numbers on paper.
Samsung has optimised the battery well for day-to-day use. During my review period, the phone comfortably lasted a full day on moderate usage, which included social media, video streaming, a bit of multitasking, and the usual round of doomscrolling. By bedtime, I still had around 20–25% charge left.
| Battery | Specifications |
| Battery | 5,000mAh |
| Charging Adapter | 45W Wired Charging, no charger in-the-box |
| Charging Time | 1 hour 8 mins |
| PCMark Battery Test | 15 hours |
On days when I really pushed it—with extended camera sessions, video editing through Galaxy AI tools, and some casual gaming—the phone still managed to hold its own. I typically wrapped up the day with around 15% charge left, which is impressive considering the workload. For anyone who’s constantly on their phone, the A56 is dependable enough to get you through without mid-day battery anxiety.
Where things fall a bit short is on the charging front. The Galaxy A56 supports 45W wired fast charging, but Samsung continues its trend of not bundling a charger in the box. With a compatible charger, the phone takes roughly an hour to go from zero to full. It’s not exactly slow, but in a segment where rivals are pushing faster 65W or even 100W charging speeds, it does feel a little conservative.
All said and done, the Galaxy A56 delivers dependable battery life for both casual and heavy users, but the charging experience is more about patience than speed.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G feels like a solid refinement of what the brand already does well in the midrange segment, focusing on core essentials like a vivid display, sleek design, reliable performance, and long-lasting battery life. It doesn’t try to do anything radically different, and that’s exactly why it works. For most users, especially those who value brand trust, clean software, and assured long-term support, the A56 5G delivers a reliable, well-rounded experience.
While it’s not a performance powerhouse or camera marvel, it nails the everyday basics with confidence. The inclusion of six years of software and security updates, a vibrant AMOLED display, and stereo speakers makes it a dependable choice for anyone who wants peace of mind and longevity from their device.
That said, for its price, the Galaxy A56 faces a lot of competition from phones such as the OnePlus 13R, Xiaomi 14 CIVI, and Vivo V50, all of which offer fairly good cameras and more powerful performance. Not just that, you also get a good combo of battery life and blazing fast charging speeds. So, if that’s on your priority list, maybe going with the above options will be more beneficial.
But if you’re looking for a phone that keeps up with your lifestyle and doesn’t demand compromises in design, software experience, or daily usability, the Galaxy A56 5G is still a decent option.
