The Samsung Galaxy A series has consistently offered consumers a mix of premium functionalities without breaking the bank. Previous models such as the Galaxy A55 garnered significant praise from Indian buyers, and this momentum continues with the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy A56, aiming to uphold the lineage. However, when it comes to the Galaxy A56, Samsung seems to be trying out some changes akin to saying "out with the old, in with the new." While these modifications might represent more of a trim rather than a complete overhaul – think fresh look but nothing too drastic.
Certainly, several aspects of the Galaxy A56 have piqued my interest – a sophisticated build, a spacious and vivid screen, reliable battery performance, and some entertaining artificial intelligence features (known as Awesome Intelligence). However, I'm left wondering whether these elements combine to create an exceptionally compelling offering within the competitive mid-tier smartphone segment. Let’s explore further.
Review of Samsung Galaxy A56: Design and Construction
Initially, you might wonder, "Isn't this just like the A55?" However, a more thorough look reveals some distinct variations. When you pick up the A56, its superior quality becomes instantly apparent due to the Gorilla Glass Victus+ covering both sides along with an enduring aluminum frame. This phone exudes craftsmanship and surprisingly offers a sleeker profile as well as being notably lighter compared to its forerunner.
A significant redesign element is the camera island. In earlier models, the cameras appeared to float independently, whereas Samsung has integrated them into a more organized structure for this model. Not only does this lend the phone a sleeker appearance, but it also sets the A56 distinctly apart from other Galaxy devices—even those at the high end. However, unfortunately, the bulging camera setup causes the device to become unstable on level surfaces. If you decide to get this gadget, cases featuring thick rims will provide much-needed stability.
However, even with a protective cover, I'm worried about the IP ratings. Given that the device costs more than Rs 40,000, IP68 and IP69 should be the benchmarks. Although I know that the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra also has an IP68 rating, anything lower like IP67 wouldn’t meet my expectations for a smartphone in this price range.
Review of Samsung Galaxy A56 – Screen Analysis
Samsung excels at playing this game. The display is undoubtedly one of the standout aspects of the Galaxy A56. This device boasts a sizable 6.7-inch AMOLED screen offering a crisp FHD+ resolution. Paired with its responsive 120Hz refresh rate, using the phone for tasks like browsing apps, scrolling through web pages, and viewing videos was both seamless and enjoyable.
Viewing media, playing games, and flipping through the monochrome Instagram feed — everything appears strikingly vivid on this brilliant Pro Max display. Additionally, you benefit from HDR10+ compatibility, making sure that watched material seems highly lifelike. The screen brightness performed well both indoors and outdoors under normal conditions. However, when exposed to intense direct sunlight, a slight boost in luminosity would be appreciated.
Regarding the display area, Samsung has marginally expanded the screen dimensions but maintained nearly identical total device size from before. As such, thinner borders have been achieved relative to the previous model; however, I observed that the lower border ('chin') is somewhat wider, which slightly diminishes the seamless viewing experience.
Review of Samsung Galaxy A56 – Camera
Before delving deeper into the Samsung Galaxy A56’s camera capabilities, I must mention that I find myself uncertain about whether the phone has truly succeeded in this aspect. You'll soon understand my hesitation.
Let’s quickly review the specifications.
- 50-megapixel main camera - Sony IMX906, f/1.8, OIS
- 12-megapixel ultrawide lens – Sony IMX258, f/2.2
- 5-megapixel macro camera – f/2.4, fixed focus (Seriously? A macro lens?)
Regarding the images, this is my take –
1. Primary camera
The Galaxy A56’s main camera excels in well-lit conditions. Its primary sensor produces clear and vivid images with Samsung’s characteristic color palette — which leans towards bold tones that many prefer over subtle, true-to-life colors. The dynamic range is commendable, and details are preserved nicely, particularly in outdoor shots. While it doesn’t match the sharpness found in flagships, this will be sufficient for everyday use.
2. Ultra-wide camera
The ultra-wide lens appears somewhat inferior compared to the primary sensor. It works well enough for taking pictures of scenery, gatherings, or imposing buildings, yet these photos exhibit reduced dynamic range and occasional distortions at the edges. The color reproduction doesn't align perfectly with what you get from the main camera, and under dimmer lighting conditions, this secondary sensor tends to produce more noise and softer details.
3. Macro camera
Similar to numerous mid-tier smartphones, the macro lens on the A56 seems more like a mandatory addition rather than an actually helpful component. While it serves its purpose when required, don’t count on it performing miracles. It can be entertaining for sporadic usage, yet it doesn’t really stand out as a remarkable feature. In reality, a specialized telephoto camera would have proven far more beneficial than having a macro one.
4. Night photography
It manages to capture reasonable images with enhanced brightness and clarity up to a certain limit. However, noise tends to creep in rapidly, particularly in pitch-black settings. Wide-angle photos taken after sundown frequently turn out to be overly grainy for practical use. While the Night Mode makes the most of the available equipment, the low-light capabilities are undoubtedly middle-of-the-road.
Review of Samsung Galaxy A56: Battery Life and Charging Capabilities
The battery is also one of the standout features of the Galaxy A56. One aspect I found impressive is that despite maintaining a physical size with a 5000mAh capacity, Samsung has somehow improved the screen longevity significantly.
- Minimal use: The battery can last up to 2 days without issue.
- Extensive use: It still runs for an entire day without any problems.
- Screen-on time (SOT): Remained consistently at approximately 8 hours during my testing.
However, let’s discuss the charging aspect — Samsung is promoting the A56 as the inaugural model in the A series to feature 45W "Super Fast 2.0" charging. The caveat being that no charger comes with the device.
With my MacBook’s PD charger, it took approximately 80 minutes to achieve a complete charge — not particularly swift, yet reasonable. Nonetheless, should you opt for an incompatible charger (such as ones from OPPO or Vivo), the charging speed significantly decreases.
Review of Samsung Galaxy A56 - Performance
Beneath the surface, the Galaxy A56 relies on a mid-tier processor—the Exynos 1580 coupled with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM. As stated by Samsung, this chip offers an improved CPU speed of up to 12%, enhanced GPU performance by 17%, and superior NPU capabilities by 18% compared to its predecessor. These enhancements collectively ensure smooth operation during everyday activities like navigating apps, juggling multiple tasks, and enjoying multimedia content. Nonetheless, under more demanding conditions or when benchmarked alongside rivals, it tends to fall short in comparison.
Within this pricing bracket, you can anticipate benchmark scores that are approximately twice as high compared to those achieved on the Galaxy A56, indicating a substantial improvement in performance for an equivalent investment. To assess the gaming capabilities of the Galaxy A56, I tested it with games like BGMI, Call of Duty, and Asphalt Legends Unite. Here’s a summary of my observations:
- BGMI: No availability of 90 fps mode. It’s disappointing since there's a device available for Rs 26,999 that supports up to 120 fps in BGMI.
- Following extended periods of playingBGMI andCOD, occasional glitches and lags cropped up from time to time. Nonetheless, when it came to less demanding games likeSubway Surfers, even after very lengthy sessions, these issues did not arise.
Samsung Galaxy A56 Review: Software and Remarkable Smart Features
Straight out of the package, the A56 comes loaded with Android 15 paired with Samsung’s refined One UI 7. In my experience, this user interface strikes me as both well-developed and rich in functionalities. It typically makes navigation easy and provides an array of personalization choices, ensuring seamless performance on the A56 model. Moreover, integrating “Awesome Intelligence” AI capabilities adds valuable upgrades such as enhanced ‘Ring to Search’ functionality and instant slow-motion video effects, along with several other elements previously featured in Samsung’s S-series devices.
One significant advantage is Samsung’s pledge to provide six years of substantial Android operating system and security upgrades. This is outstanding for ensuring long-lasting device performance, and I urge other manufacturers to learn from this approach and maintain their released products with timely updates over many years.
Samsung Galaxy A56: The Verdict
Therefore, having a better understanding, these are my concluding thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy A56.
Who should buy it?
- Samsung enthusiasts: Should you value Samsung's aesthetic design, the intuitive One UI interface, and seek a device that feels In your grasp is premium quality, and the A56 makes it happen.
- Display & battery focused users: Anyone prioritizing a top-notch AMOLED screen for videos and Browse, paired with excellent, reliable battery life for all-day use.
- For those aiming for long-term use: If you intend to hold onto your device for an extended period, the assurance of receiving six years of operating system and security updates becomes a considerable benefit.
- Daily users: On social platforms, browsing, streaming, communicating, and taking casual photos, the A56 offers a seamless and refined user journey.
Who should skip it?
- For power users and gamers who require exceptional processing capabilities for resource-heavy tasks, multitasking, or seamless high-frame-rate gameplay in graphic-intensive games, alternative options such as the iQOO 12, OnePlus Nord 4, Realme P3 Ultra, or iQOO Neo 10R might provide a superior performance experience.
- Photography lovers: Those seeking cameras with features like optical zoom may find the A56 insufficient when stacked up against more specialized competitors.
I believe the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G comes across as an uncertain high-end device. On one hand, it positions itself as a capable and frequently attractive mid-tier smartphone. However, upon using it extensively, several concessions made by the A56 become evident. Despite this, I do value its undoubtedly luxurious build quality, the dynamic 120Hz AMOLED screen, and its enduring battery performance. Additionally, Samsung’s promise of providing six years of software upgrades stands out as a significant advantage.
However, although the A56 handles routine jobs effortlessly, it falls short when subjected to heavier workloads compared to many rivals, including those priced more affordably. Its primary camera sensor performs well enough but doesn’t offer the flexibility provided by an optical zoom lens.
In the end, the A56 seems tailored for a particular type of user who prioritizes Samsung’s refined aesthetics, stylish design, superior display quality, and long-term software support over sheer processing power or versatile photography features.
Currently, its value proposition significantly strengthens when bought during sales or with discounts, particularly given the performance offered within the Rs 40,000 to Rs 45,000 price range.