Samsung’s Galaxy A-series has consistently bridged the gap between its flagship S-series and more affordable Galaxy M and F-series. Known for offering premium features at a competitive price, the A-series continues to be one of Samsung’s best-selling lineups.
Now, the brand is taking things up a notch with its latest additions—the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36. These smartphones bring refreshed designs, AI-powered features, and improved hardware, making them strong contenders in the mid-range segment.
Premium Design with a Glass Finish
Samsung has stepped up the design game with the Galaxy A56 and A36, offering a sleek glass back and a refined frame. The rear panel features a linear floating island, housing the camera modules. While this unique design makes the phones stand out, it also causes them to wobble when placed on flat surfaces.
In terms of color options, the Galaxy A56 comes in Awesome Lightgray, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Olive, and Awesome Pink, while the Galaxy A36 is available in Awesome Lavender, Awesome Black, Awesome White, and Awesome Lime. Both devices maintain a slim profile, making them comfortable to hold.
Display: Vibrant and Smooth Experience
Both smartphones sport a 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The screens deliver up to 1,200 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions.
To enhance durability, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protects both the front and rear panels, providing extra resistance against scratches and accidental drops. As expected from Samsung’s AMOLED technology, the display offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and impressive contrast levels.
Performance: Exynos vs Snapdragon
Under the hood, the Galaxy A56 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1580 processor, while the Galaxy A36 runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset. Both devices are available in multiple configurations, with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
Samsung has also packed both devices with One UI 7.0, based on Android 15. A major highlight is Samsung’s commitment to six years of OS upgrades and security patches, ensuring long-term software support.
AI Features: Bringing Galaxy S25 Perks to Mid-Range Phones
What sets these phones apart from their predecessors is the introduction of Galaxy AI features. Samsung has equipped the Galaxy A56 with several AI-powered tools, including:
- Circle to Search – Instantly find information by circling objects on the screen.
- Object Eraser – Remove unwanted elements from photos with a single tap.
- Best Face & AI Select – Automatically enhance portraits for the perfect shot.
- Instant Slo-Mo – Convert regular videos into slow-motion with AI assistance.
These AI features, previously seen in Samsung’s premium Galaxy S25 series, are now making their way into mid-range devices, enhancing both photography and usability.
Cameras: Upgraded Imaging Capabilities
Both the Galaxy A56 and A36 feature a triple-camera setup on the rear, led by a 50MP primary sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).
The Galaxy A56 is equipped with a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, while the Galaxy A36 has an 8MP ultra-wide lens. Both devices also include a 5MP macro sensor for close-up shots.
On the front, both phones feature a 12MP selfie camera with 10-bit HDR support, which is a rare offering in this price segment. While we haven’t fully tested the cameras in different lighting conditions yet, the hardware and AI enhancements suggest a promising imaging experience.
Battery & Charging: Bigger and Faster
Samsung has packed both devices with a 5,000mAh battery, ensuring long-lasting performance. The company claims the phones can provide up to 29 hours of video playback, though we’ll verify this in a detailed battery test.
A significant upgrade is the 45W fast charging support, which helps users get back to full power quickly. This is a notable improvement over the previous generation, making these devices more convenient for heavy users.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A56 | Samsung Galaxy A36 | Samsung Galaxy A26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | Launching soon in India | Launching soon in India | Launching soon in India |
| Display | 6.7″ 120Hz AMOLED | 6.7″ 120Hz AMOLED | 6.7″ 120Hz Notch AMOLED |
| Processor | Exynos 1580 SoC | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | Exynos 1380 chipset |
| OS Updates | 6 years of OS updates | 6 years of OS updates | 6 years of OS updates |
| Rear Camera | 50MP OIS + 12MP + 5MP | 50MP OIS + 8MP + 5MP | 50MP OIS + 8MP + 2MP |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Frame Material | Metal frame | Plastic frame | Plastic frame |
| Battery | 5000mAh battery | 5000mAh battery | 5000mAh battery |
| Charger | No charger in the box | No charger in the box | No charger in the box |
Final Thoughts: Can the A-Series Dominate Again?
The Samsung Galaxy A56 and A36 bring premium features at a mid-range price, making them compelling choices in their segment. From sleek design and AI-powered photography to long-term software support, Samsung has covered all the essentials.
However, the real test will be how these phones perform in real-world scenarios. With strong competition from brands like OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Realme, Samsung will need more than just software updates and AI features to stay ahead.
So, can the Galaxy A56 and A36 maintain the A-series’ reputation as the best-selling mid-range lineup?
