{"id":15794,"date":"2025-04-03T09:09:07","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T09:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.penrestech.com\/?p=15794"},"modified":"2025-04-03T09:09:07","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T09:09:07","slug":"after-3-weeks-with-samsungs-galaxy-a56-im-closer-than-ever-to-ditching-my-iphone-for-androidbymax-delaney-published-3-april-25affordably-priced-excellence-but-it-could-do-with","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.penrestech.com\/after-3-weeks-with-samsungs-galaxy-a56-im-closer-than-ever-to-ditching-my-iphone-for-androidbymax-delaney-published-3-april-25affordably-priced-excellence-but-it-could-do-with\/","title":{"rendered":"After 3 weeks with Samsung's Galaxy A56, I'm closer than ever to ditching my iPhone for Android\n\n\nBy\n\nMax Delaney \n\npublished 3 April 25\n\n\n\nAffordably priced excellence, but it could do with a bit more power"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Samsung Galaxy A56 review: Two-minute review<\/span><\/h2>\n
Mid-range and budget smartphones are growing in popularity as flagship devices increasingly come with heftier price tags. That doesn\u2019t mean the best cheap phones are slower, less durable versions of their high-end counterparts \u2013 in fact, they offer unique value to budget-conscious buyers. In this category, the Samsung Galaxy A series is perhaps the best example, and the A56 carries on the tradition.<\/p>\n
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Having launched alongside the A36 and A26, the Galaxy A56 is the most premium of the trio, boasting more RAM and better cameras. That doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s expensive \u2013 far from it as it\u2019s priced at just $499 \/ \u00a3499 \/ AU$699. The three siblings, however, share key features, like a 120Hz refresh rate, a 5,000mAh battery and an IP67 water- and dust-resistance rating.<\/p>\n
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The Samsung Galaxy A56 is the ideal smartphone for the average user, offering seriously fantastic showings across its cameras, display, design and battery.<\/p>\n
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The Galaxy A56 exudes class with its metal and glass design, feeling just as premium in hand and on the eyes, with a finish reminiscent of high-end devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 or the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but at a fraction of the cost.<\/p>\n
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I received the Awesome Olive model for this review \u2013 though I must admit, I had my eyes on the pink variant. Regardless of color choice, the A56\u2019s build quality is undeniable. Improving upon the already impressive Galaxy A55 in every way, Samsung’s mid-range marvel is bigger, thinner and lighter.<\/p>\n
Featuring a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel, its display delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth visuals thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate. As someone who values high-quality screens for watching content, I was genuinely impressed.<\/p>\n
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<\/source> $\"Samsung$ <\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Every inch of the Galaxy A56 looks and feels premium <\/span>(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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This quality continues in its battery life. It sports the same 5,000mAh battery as its predecessor, but that’s still an impressive capacity in a budget phone \u2013 and my experience backs up Samsung’s claim of up to 29 hours of video playback. The Samsung Galaxy A56 has also seen an upgrade from 25W to 45W charging, making top-ups faster and more convenient for most users, with a charging speed now equal to that of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.<\/p>\n
Both serious and casual photographers will be happy too, as the Galaxy A56 rivals the Motorola Edge 50 Pro for the title of best budget camera phone, though it’s still far away from competing with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The setup includes a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP macro camera and a 12MP front-facing shooter. Whether you’re capturing night shots, macro details or everyday moments, the A56 delivers sharp, well-balanced images with a variety of useful features.<\/p>\n
Speaking of useful features, Samsung’s famous Galaxy AI isn’t present in its budget line of phones. However, the sprinkling of AI features Samsung does provide \u2013 like AI photo editing, note-taking, Google Gemini functionality and more \u2013 add a tasteful amount of flair without overwhelming users who may not want AI integration.<\/p>\n
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<\/source> $\"Fortnite$ <\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
I played Fortnite on the Galaxy A56 and it struggled <\/span>(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Ironically, the one area in which the A56 isn’t up to scratch \u2013 even compared to similarly priced phones \u2013 is its power. Don’t get me wrong: it’s still perfectly suited to the average user who wants to call, text, video chat, scroll socials, watch the best streaming services and play games like Clash Royale<\/em>, but I think it could do with a touch more grunt under the hood. It’s simply not the phone to buy if you need power from your handset. When playing Fortnite<\/em>, for example, gameplay was seriously choppy even at low graphics settings and the minimum 20FPS.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s not a deal breaker, though. At its price point, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is a fantastic choice for the cost-conscious user who wants a well-balanced phone that looks and feels premium.<\/p>\n
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: price and availability<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Launch price: $499 \/ \u00a3499 \/ AU$699<\/strong><\/li>\n
Released March 19 in the UK and March 27 in Australia<\/strong><\/li>\n
Landing in the US later in 2025<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is one of the best budget phones on the market in terms of value, offering a seriously good experience for a truly wallet-friendly $499 \/\u00a3499 \/ AU$699 price, with other phones either performing better at higher price points, or offering lesser experiences at a similar price.<\/p>\n
Unlike the Samsung Galaxy A55, which never made it to the US market, Samsung officially confirmed on March 1 that the A56 would debut in the US “later this year”, while the A36 and A26 became available on March 28 and 26 respectively.<\/p>\n
Australians enjoy the same price on the Samsung Galaxy A56 as they did with its predecessor. However, potential owners in the UK will have to fork out an extra \u00a360 compared to last year, with the A55 releasing for only \u00a3439.<\/p>\n
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is only available in the 8GB RAM, 256GB storage configuration in the UK, and comes in Awesome Olive, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Lightgrey and Awesome Pink.<\/p>\n
Importantly, while Australians only get two color options \u2013 olive and graphite \u2013 they also get two storage options, with a 128GB model priced at AU$699, and the 256GB model costing AU$799. There is also a 12GB RAM model available in select regions.<\/p>\n
The only other comparable phone in terms of price versus performance is the near-flagship Google Pixel 9a, releasing soon at $499 \/ \u00a3499 \/ AU$849. We haven’t reviewed the Pixel 9a yet, but if it continues the success of its predecessor, it makes the A56 harder to recommend in the US and UK given they are the same price.<\/p>\n
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: specs<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Dimensions:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4mm<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Weight:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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198g<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Display:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Resolution: <\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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2340 x 1080<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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High brightness: <\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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1,200-nits (1,900-nits outdoors)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Chipset: <\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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Exynos 1580<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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RAM: <\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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8GB (12GB in limited locations)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Storage: <\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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128GB, 256GB, no microSD support<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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OS:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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Android 15 with Samsung’s One UI 7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Cameras:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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50 MP main; 12MP ultra-wide; 5MP Macro<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Selfie Camera: <\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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12MP<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Battery: <\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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5,000mAh<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Charging: <\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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45W wired<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Colors: <\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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Awesome Graphite , Awesome Olive, Awesome Lightgrey, Awesome Pink <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: display<\/span><\/h2>\n
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120Hz refresh rate<\/strong><\/li>\n
1,900-nit peak outdoors<\/strong><\/li>\n
6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/source> $\"Watching$ <\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
Watching a nature documentary on the Galaxy A56 is a lovely experience <\/span>(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
I already loved the 6.6-inch display on the A55 \u2013 it struck a perfect balance between being comfortable to hold and offering an upgraded viewing experience over my 6.1-inch iPhone 15.<\/p>\n
Samsung has taken that a step further with the A56, making it even more comfortable in hand while increasing the screen size to 6.7 inches for an even better entertainment experience. Whether I was watching videos, reading, gaming or video calling, the 1080 x 2340 Super AMOLED display provided one of the best viewing experiences I\u2019ve had on a budget smartphone.<\/p>\n
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Peak brightness is fine on the Galaxy A56 home screen, but it could be better <\/span>(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
The only noticeable cost-cutting comes in the display\u2019s peak brightness. While I never struggled to see the screen, its 1,200-nit brightness is lower than I\u2019d like to see in 2025 \u2013 though it does bump up to 1,900 in direct sunlight. While this improves on the Galaxy A55\u2019s 1,000-nit peak, it falls short of competitors like the Google Pixel 9a (2,700 nits) and the Poco F6 Pro (4,000 nits).<\/p>\n
In every other aspect, though, the A56\u2019s display feels truly premium. It\u2019s even protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, adding durability against scratches and drops. While I didn\u2019t test a full 2m drop onto concrete, a few accidental drops left it completely unscathed.<\/p>\n
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Display score: 4.5\/5<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: design<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Thinner and lighter than the Galaxy A55<\/strong><\/li>\n
Gorilla Glass Victus<\/strong><\/li>\n
IP67 water and dustproof rating<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/source> $\"Samsung$ <\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
The Samsung Galaxy A56 in the Olive looks quite good even though it’s my least favorite color <\/span>(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
I loved the Samsung Galaxy A55, particularly its design \u2013 a blend of metal and glass that gave it a supremely premium feel at a truly budget price. The A56 improves on that in every way \u2013 refining an already impressive formula. I received the Awesome Olive colorway, which was probably my least favorite of the four options, yet I was still thoroughly impressed by how good it looks.<\/p>\n
The A56 features a slightly larger 6.7-inch display (up from 6.6 inches) and is about a millimeter taller and wider to accommodate the bigger screen. Bigger may not always be better, but Samsung has offset the increased size with a 0.8mm reduction in thickness and a significant 15g drop in weight \u2013 making an exceptional design near perfect.<\/p>\n
Or perhaps just perfect. Not only does the metal frame enhance the phone\u2019s premium feel and sturdy build, but Samsung has also added subtle ridges to the frame \u2013 something I don\u2019t recall seeing or feeling on the A55 when I reviewed it. The ridges didn\u2019t necessarily improve the grip for me, but they served as a satisfying fidget point when I ran my fingers across them.<\/p>\n
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The slightly ridged chassis edges don’t necessarily improve grip, but I don’t mind it at all <\/span>(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
That\u2019s about all the superlatives I can give the A56\u2019s design. It\u2019s everything you want a phone to look and feel like, regardless of its price. It\u2019s also protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, offering excellent resistance against scratches and drops.<\/p>\n
As with avoiding the 2m drop test, I didn\u2019t throw the IP67-rated Galaxy A56 in the bath; however, my colleagues and I have spent plenty of time with Gorilla Glass to know how good the durability can be \u2013 and I had absolutely no issue the few times I did get the phone wet while doing the dishes and walking in the rain.<\/p>\n
Big, beautiful, lightweight, and impressively durable, the A56 is an exceptionally designed piece of technology. The fact that it doesn\u2019t cost an arm and a leg makes it all the more impressive.<\/p>\n
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Design score: 5\/5<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: software<\/span><\/h2>\n
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No full Galaxy AI suite, but some \u201cAwesome Intelligence\u201d features are available<\/strong><\/li>\n
Six years of software and security support<\/strong><\/li>\n
Plenty of UI customizations with new Now Bar feature<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/source> $\"Galaxy$ <\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
The software package on Samsung’s cheaper phones are as good as that on the flagships <\/span>(Image credit: Future)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
From a software perspective, the Samsung Galaxy A56 might be the most impressive budget-focused phone I\u2019ve personally used. And that\u2019s despite my colleagues praising the Google Pixel 8a for bringing Google\u2019s AI tools to a wider audience. That\u2019s not to say the A56 misses out entirely on AI features \u2013 it has a smattering of useful ones that won\u2019t overwhelm the average user \u2013 but if AI is your top priority, you\u2019ll need to shell out for the Samsung Galaxy S25 or wait for the Pixel 9a.<\/p>\n
The AI-powered tools in the A56 aren\u2019t being called Galaxy AI, instead appearing under the branding \u201cAwesome Intelligence\u201d, although similarities abound.<\/p>\n
Samsung lays these features out neatly within the Settings menu and includes tools that let you remove objects from photos, capture the perfect group photo and receive AI-powered suggestions for improving images during editing.<\/p>\n