It gets a spec bump and a physical one.
While many tech enthusiasts (myself included) were eagerly hoping for a sneak peek at the Galaxy S25 Edge ahead of MWC, Samsung had a different surprise in store during its pre-show briefing. And honestly, it’s a compelling one: the Galaxy A56 — a midrange smartphone that borrows some premium features from its flagship siblings, all while keeping the price pleasantly affordable.
Starting at just $499 (or £499 in the UK), the Galaxy A56 is set to make waves when it launches later this year, coming in slightly cheaper than Google’s Pixel 8a at launch. Alongside it, Samsung unveiled two other additions to the A series lineup: the Galaxy A36 and A26, priced at $399 and $299, respectively. Let’s dive into what makes these devices stand out in the ever-competitive midrange market.
A Refined Design with Thoughtful Tweaks
Samsung has made some thoughtful design changes with the Galaxy A56. The device is thinner than its predecessor, shrinking down from 8.2mm to an impressively slim 7.4mm, while still managing to house a larger 6.7-inch screen. The bezels — a telltale sign of budget devices in the past — have been trimmed down even further, giving the A56 a more modern, polished look.
One subtle but impactful design tweak is the new, slightly protruding bump on the side where the volume and power buttons reside. While asymmetrical, it surprisingly improves grip, making the large 6.7-inch phone feel less unwieldy. Even for someone used to smaller 6.3-inch devices, the A56 felt comfortable to handle — a testament to Samsung’s evolving design philosophy.
The brushed metal frame adds an extra layer of sophistication, inching the A56 closer to the premium aesthetic of the Galaxy S series. It comes in four color options: Graphite, Olive, Pink, and Light Grey — because, apparently, nothing says “awesome” like a lighter shade of grey (Samsung’s words, not mine).
Camera Upgrades with a Splash of AI Magic
The camera setup on the A56 is a mixed bag, but mostly in a good way. The front camera drops to 12 megapixels, but the rear camera system gets notable upgrades: a 50MP main sensor with an f/1.8 lens and optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens for those niche close-up shots.
What’s truly exciting, though, is the suite of AI-powered photography features making their way to the A56. Borrowing from the S25 family, the A56 gets improved image signal processing for better low-light performance and enhanced subject detection in portrait mode. It can now better recognize elements like skin, hair, and even grass to refine bokeh effects.
For editing, Samsung brings tools like Object Eraser to remove unwanted elements, auto trim for videos, and Create Filter, which lets you apply the color and tone of one image to another. And if you struggle to capture the perfect group shot, the Best Face feature lets you choose everyone’s best expression from multiple motion photo captures.
These aren’t groundbreaking features in the smartphone world, but their inclusion in a midrange device makes the A56 a standout option for casual photographers and content creators alike.
Performance, Battery Life, and Software Updates
Under the hood, the A56 is powered by Samsung’s own 4nm Exynos 1580 chip, delivering a claimed 18% boost in CPU performance over its predecessor. Paired with up to 8GB of RAM, the device promises smooth multitasking and enough power to handle most apps and games without breaking a sweat.
The 5,000mAh battery remains the same size as the A55’s, but charging speeds have been bumped up to 45W. Samsung claims you can fully charge the device in just over an hour — a welcome improvement for users constantly on the go.
Out of the box, the A56 will run One UI 7, Samsung’s latest Android skin, packed with new style flourishes and functional enhancements. Expect features like the Now bar, a redesigned notification panel, and scalable widgets that come in various shapes and sizes. Even better, Samsung promises six generations of OS updates and six years of security updates — up from the four years offered on the A55.
The Galaxy A36 and A26: Affordable Alternatives
For those seeking even more budget-friendly options, the Galaxy A36 and A26 bring many of the A56’s perks to lower price points. Both phones feature 6.7-inch screens with up to 120Hz refresh rates and peak brightness of 1,200 nits, ensuring vibrant, smooth visuals.
Camera-wise, the A36 and A26 come equipped with triple-lens setups, including a 50MP main sensor. However, their ultrawide lenses are capped at 8MP, and some of the more advanced AI features — like Best Face — are reserved for the A56.
Interestingly, the A36 swaps out the Exynos chip for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, while both devices come with 6GB of RAM. They share the same IP67 rating and 5,000mAh battery as the A56, making them solid choices for users who want core features without stretching their budget.
Pricing and Availability
The Galaxy A56 will be available for preorder in the UK starting March 2nd, with a full launch on March 19th. While US pricing is confirmed at $499, Samsung hasn’t yet announced a specific release date beyond “later this year.”
With the Galaxy A56, A36, and A26, Samsung is making a clear play to dominate the midrange market. And with features like AI-enhanced photography, faster charging, and long-term software support trickling down from the flagship Galaxy S series, it’s hard to ignore the value these devices bring to the table.
In a landscape where the iPhone 16e and the rumored Pixel 9a loom as competitors, Samsung’s A series refresh feels well-timed — and well-equipped — to win over smartphone shoppers looking for the perfect balance of price, performance, and polish.
Let the midrange battle begin.
