Samsung’s Galaxy A series has always been a fan favorite, offering premium features at an affordable price. The latest addition to the lineup, the Samsung Galaxy A56, is no exception. Packed with upgrades over its predecessor, the Galaxy A55, this phone delivers excellent value for money and even rivals some flagship models.
In this in-depth review, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the Galaxy A56, from its design and display to its performance, cameras, and battery life.
Key Specifications at a Glance
- Body: 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4mm, 198g; Gorilla Glass Victus+ (front and back), aluminum frame; IP67 dust/water resistance.
- Display: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 1,900 nits peak brightness, 1080 x 2340 resolution.
- Chipset: Exynos 1580 (4nm) with Xclipse 540 GPU.
- Memory: 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB, or 12GB/256GB (UFS 3.1 storage).
- OS: Android 15 with One UI 7.0; 6 years of major OS updates.
- Cameras:
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Rear: 50MP main (f/1.8, OIS), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2), 5MP macro (f/2.4).
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Front: 12MP selfie camera (f/2.2).
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- Battery: 5,000mAh with 45W fast charging.
- Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC.
- Extras: Stereo speakers, under-display fingerprint sensor, virtual proximity sensing, Circle to Search.
Design and Build: Premium and Practical
The Galaxy A56 retains the sleek design language of its predecessor but with a few notable improvements. It’s now thinner (7.4mm) and lighter (198g), making it more comfortable to hold. The phone features Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, paired with a sturdy aluminum frame, giving it a premium feel.
The camera island has been redesigned to resemble the Galaxy S25 series, with a slightly raised bump that houses the lenses. The frame has a brushed metal finish, adding a touch of elegance. Available in Pink, Olive, Graphite, and Lightgray, the A56 is as stylish as it is durable.
While the phone has an IP67 rating (dust and water-resistant up to 1 meter for 30 minutes), it’s worth noting that some competitors in this price range offer IP68 or even IP69 ratings. Still, the IP67 rating is a welcome addition for a mid-range device.
Display: Bigger, Brighter, Better
The Galaxy A56 features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, up from 6.6 inches on the A55. Thanks to thinner bezels, the phone manages to pack a larger screen without increasing its overall size. The display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and a peak brightness of 1,900 nits, making it one of the brightest displays in its class.
In real-world use, the screen is vibrant, sharp, and perfect for streaming, gaming, or browsing. The always-on display feature is handy for quick glances at notifications, and the adaptive refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling while conserving battery life.
Performance: Smooth and Reliable
Powered by Samsung’s new Exynos 1580 chipset, the Galaxy A56 delivers solid performance for everyday tasks and gaming. The octa-core CPU, paired with up to 12GB of RAM, ensures smooth multitasking, while the Xclipse 540 GPU (based on AMD’s RDNA 3 architecture) handles graphics-intensive games with ease.
On the software side, the A56 runs Android 15 with One UI 7.0, offering a clean and intuitive user experience. Samsung’s promise of 6 years of major OS updates is a standout feature, making this phone a great long-term investment.
Cameras: Familiar Hardware with AI Enhancements
The Galaxy A56’s camera system is largely unchanged from the A55, featuring a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro camera. However, the 32MP selfie camera has been replaced with a 12MP shooter, which surprisingly delivers better results.
The main camera captures sharp, detailed photos with excellent dynamic range, while the ultrawide lens is decent for wider shots. The macro camera is more of a novelty but can be fun for close-up photography. On the video side, the A56 supports 4K recording at 30fps with excellent stabilization, making it a great option for content creators.
Samsung’s AI enhancements improve image quality, especially in low-light scenarios, ensuring brighter and clearer photos even in challenging conditions.
Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Endurance
The Galaxy A56 packs a 5,000mAh battery, just like its predecessor, but now supports 45W fast charging. In our tests, the phone reached 65% charge in just 30 minutes, though a full charge takes about 1 hour and 13 minutes.
Battery life is solid, with the phone lasting a full day of moderate use. However, heavy users might need to top up before the end of the day, especially when gaming or streaming.
One downside is that the 45W charger is not included in the box, so you’ll need to purchase one separately to take advantage of the fast charging capabilities.
Audio and Extras
The Galaxy A56 features a hybrid stereo speaker setup, delivering warm and detailed sound. While it’s not the loudest, the sound quality is impressive, with deep bass and clear highs.
Other features include an under-display fingerprint sensor, which is reliable but a bit slow, and virtual proximity sensing, which works well but isn’t as accurate as a physical sensor. The phone also supports Circle to Search, a handy feature for quick searches directly from the screen.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Premium build with Gorilla Glass Victus+ and aluminum frame.
- Bright and vibrant 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display.
- Solid performance with the Exynos 1580 chipset.
- Excellent software support with 6 years of OS updates.
- Decent cameras with AI enhancements.
- Good battery life with 45W fast charging.
Cons:
- No charger included in the box.
- Fingerprint sensor could be faster.
- No microSD card support.
- IP67 rating lags behind some competitors.
Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is a fantastic mid-range smartphone that offers a premium design, a stunning display, and long-term software support. While it’s not without its flaws, it delivers excellent value for money and is a strong contender in its price segment.
If you’re looking for a reliable, stylish, and future-proof smartphone without breaking the bank, the Galaxy A56 is definitely worth considering.
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