Samsung has officially unveiled its latest additions to the mid-range smartphone lineup: the Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G. These two models serve as moderate upgrades over their predecessors, bringing refreshed hardware, updated designs, and a few notable new features.
Galaxy A56 Returns to the U.S. Market
One of the more interesting developments is the reintroduction of the Galaxy A56 to the U.S. market. Its predecessor, the A55, skipped a U.S. release, likely due to overlap concerns with the Galaxy S24 FE. Now, the Galaxy A56 will be available stateside for $499. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A36 maintains the $399 price point set by the A35.
Both models share a similar design language, most noticeably a newly styled rear camera island. While this change doesn’t enhance functionality, it visually differentiates the A36 and A56 from earlier A-series phones and even from the flagship S models. Previous A-series designs closely mimicked the high-end lineup, but the updated camera layout now gives the mid-range models their own identity.
Displays Get Brighter and Larger
The Galaxy A56 and A36 come with slightly larger 6.7-inch AMOLED displays, boasting peak brightness levels of up to 1900 nits. This upgrade enhances visibility in bright environments and contributes to a better viewing experience overall, particularly when streaming video or gaming outdoors.
Charging Upgrades Lead the Feature Set
A major improvement across both devices is the introduction of 45W wired fast charging — a feature that is notably absent even from the upcoming Galaxy S25. This addition brings a much-needed boost to battery charging speeds in the mid-range category, addressing one of the most common user concerns.
Performance and Chipsets
Under the hood, the Galaxy A56 is powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 1580 chipset and includes 8 GB of RAM by default. In contrast, the Galaxy A36 is equipped with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip and starts with 6 GB of RAM. Those seeking additional memory in the A36 will need to opt for the 256 GB storage variant, which upgrades the RAM to 8 GB. The A56 also offers a 256 GB version, but RAM remains fixed at 8 GB across all configurations.
Storage and Memory Options
Both phones come with 120 GB of internal storage in their base models, with 256 GB options also available. The A36’s base version includes 6 GB of RAM, while the A56 ships with 8 GB regardless of storage tier. This gives the A56 a clear performance edge, especially for multitasking or AI-enhanced features.
Software Support That Goes the Distance
In a surprising move, Samsung has committed to providing six to seven years of software support for both devices. This includes security updates and Android version upgrades, making the A36 and A56 long-term investments in a market where two or three years of updates is still the norm for many competitors in the same price bracket.
Cameras: Slight Tweaks, Familiar Layouts
Camera setups remain largely unchanged from previous models. The Galaxy A36 features a 50 MP main sensor, 8 MP ultrawide, and a 5 MP macro lens. On the front, the selfie camera has been slightly downgraded to 12 MP from the A35’s 13 MP, although the difference is minimal in real-world use.
The Galaxy A56 retains the same trio as its predecessor: 50 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide, and 5 MP macro. While these specs may not impress on paper, they’re dependable for casual photography and social media sharing.
Design and Build
Samsung has slimmed down the Galaxy A36 slightly, bringing its thickness to 7.4 mm — nearly 1 mm thinner than the previous generation. The A56 remains similar in size but shares the same new camera module design. The switch to a unified camera island on the back is the biggest visual change and gives both phones a more modern and cohesive look.
Final Thoughts
The Galaxy A56 and A36 5G represent solid entries in Samsung’s mid-range portfolio. With brighter displays, faster charging, long-term software support, and refined designs, they offer considerable value for their price points. While they don’t reinvent the wheel, they bring meaningful improvements that make them worthy upgrades for users coming from older A-series devices.