Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 Review: Polished Looks Modest Upgrades

Samsung’s Galaxy A series: the sweet spot where premium meets pocket-friendly. Year after year, they redefine what you can expect without breaking the bank. Now, enter the 2025 contenders: the Galaxy A56 and A36. Think of them as the A55 and A35’s cooler, subtly evolved cousins. But with a nip here and a tuck there, is Samsung doing enough to stay ahead of the game? Or are these minor tweaks just… minor? Let’s dive in and see if these Galaxy A newcomers have what it takes to truly shine.

Let’s talk money, then colors. When the Galaxy A56 first hit the scene, you were looking at Rs. 41,999 for the 8GB RAM/128GB storage model. Its sibling, the Galaxy A36, debuted at a cooler Rs. 32,999 (also 8GB + 128GB). Samsung hooked us up with the Galaxy A56 in eye-catching Awesome Olive, while the A36 we’re putting through its paces rocks the equally appealing Awesome Lavender.

Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 Design: Premium

• Dimensions – 162.2×77.5×7.4mm (A56), 162.9×78.2×7.4mm (A36)
• Weight – 198g (A56), 195g (A36)
• Colours – Awesome Graphite, Awesome Light Grey and Awesome Olive (A56), Awesome Black, Awesome Lavender and Awesome White (A36)
• IP rating – IP67 (Both)

Forget plastic fantastic. Samsung’s Galaxy A series delivers a premium feel without the premium price tag, sneaking in design cues from its flagship Galaxy S siblings. Feast your eyes on the A56 and A36: both boast a stunning glass back shielded by tough Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+. The A56 elevates the experience further with a sophisticated aluminium frame flaunting a brushed finish, while the A36 keeps things stylish with a matte plastic frame. Both phones share a sleek, modern aesthetic, sporting flat frames, displays, and rear panels, proving that premium design doesn’t have to break the bank.

Both phones feature a glass sandwich design

From stem to stern, these phones are twins. Glance at the front, or admire the rear, and you’ll struggle to tell them apart. Both boast a distinctive, pill-shaped camera island, seemingly suspended in air, cradling a trio of lenses. A lone LED flash stands guard just outside. It’s a design evolution, a subtle departure from the Galaxy A55 and A35, which opted for a more traditional approach with three individual camera rings.

Along the right edge, sculpted seamlessly into the phone’s frame, you’ll discover the tactile Power and Volume controls, perfectly positioned for intuitive access. Journey to the base, where a modern USB Type-C port resides alongside a dual nano SIM card tray, twin microphones, and a finely tuned loudspeaker ready to unleash sound. Ascend to the phone’s crown and you’ll find two more microphones, diligently capturing every nuance.

The right frame features a bump, which houses the volume and power button

The phone’s face is a study in minimalist design. While bezels have undergone a serious slimming regime compared to last year, the chin stubbornly clings to a bit of extra padding. A discreet, centered hole-punch makes way for the selfie camera. Splashes and spills are no match for these devices, thanks to their IP67 dust and water resistance.

The phones feature a hybrid stereo speaker setup

These phones exude a premium, minimalist vibe, both in looks and feel. The flat frame nestles reassuringly in your palm, offering a surprisingly secure grip. But forget effortless one-handed operation – even those with sizeable mitts might find themselves needing two hands to tango with these beauties.

Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 Display: Brighter and bigger

• Screen size and type – 6.7-inch full-HD+ Super AMOLED (Both)
• Refresh rate – 120Hz (Both)
• Glass protection – Gorilla Glass Victus+ (Both)

Get ready for bigger and brighter displays on the new Galaxy A56 and A36! Continuing the trend, both models boast the same screen size, but this year, expect a visual feast with noticeably larger and more vibrant screens. Dive into silky smooth visuals with a shared high resolution and a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate. Customize your viewing experience by toggling between Adaptive and Standard refresh rates in the display settings. And for the ultimate in color and contrast, the A56 elevates your viewing with HDR10+ support – a feature the A36 doesn’t offer.

Both phones sport a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate

Both the Galaxy A56 and A36 boast displays that can blaze up to 1,900 nits. In practice, that translates to vibrant visuals indoors and impressive clarity even under direct sunlight. Binge-watching is a joy on both, but the A56 takes the crown with its HDR10+ support, delivering richer colors and deeper blacks for a truly immersive experience.

The phones feature an in-display optical fingerprint sensor that worked well during the review. However, the placement could’ve been better.

Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 Software: AI is here

• OS – Android 15
• UI – One UI 7

Forget planned obsolescence. The Galaxy A56 and A36 aren’t just phones; they’re future-proofed companions, launching with Android 15 and Samsung’s One UI 7. But the real kicker? A staggering six years of guaranteed Android OS upgrades and security patches. That’s right, Samsung is setting a new standard, offering flagship-level software support to its mid-range marvels, ensuring your device stays fresh, secure, and ready for whatever the future holds.

Beyond the expected One UI 7 enhancements, the upcoming Galaxy A56 and A36 pack a surprising AI punch. While not mirroring the extensive AI arsenal of the Galaxy S line, these phones offer intriguing possibilities. Forget just Gemini and Circle to Search; prepare for AI Select. Imagine extracting text from any photo, instantly crafting a shareable GIF or image clipping, or even conjuring a unique wallpaper, all from a single screenshot. The future of mobile is now, and it’s in the palm of your hand.

The Galaxy A56 and A36 offer a couple of AI features

Samsung’s Galaxy A56 isn’t just about taking pictures; it’s about perfecting them. Banish unwanted photo crashers with the surprisingly effective AI Object eraser hiding in the Gallery app. Ever struggle findingthatperfect group shot where everyone looks their best? Motion Photos’ Favourite Face feature swoops in to save the day. And when you’re ready to relax, let the Samsung Browser’s Read Aloud option transform articles into audiobooks – a treat on both phones.

Both the Galaxy A56 and A36 deliver a smooth and satisfying software experience that feels remarkably alike. Dive into a world of customization, effortlessly navigate the intuitive UI, and breathe easy knowing bloatware is kept to a minimum. Yes, the Glance lockscreen makes an appearance, but banishing it is a breeze. Simply dive into Settings – unless you banished it during setup, of course.

Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 Performance: Good enough for daily use

• Processor – Exynos 1580 (A56), Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (A36)
• RAM – Up to 12GB RAM (Both)
• Storage – Up to 256GB storage (Both)

Samsung’s upped the ante in its latest Galaxy A series! The A56 and A36 boast upgraded chipsets, delivering a noticeable performance boost. But here’s the twist: the A36 ditches the Exynos in favor of a Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC! Early benchmarks reveal the Galaxy A56 as a clear winner, outpacing its A36 sibling. The best part? Both models leave their predecessors in the dust.

The Galaxy A56 and A36 proved surprisingly capable in everyday use, handling everything I threw at them with ease. Gaming sessions, featuring titles like BGMI and Asphalt, were smooth and enjoyable. Even better, neither phone turned into a pocket furnace, staying remarkably cool whether I was racing down a virtual track or topping off the battery.

The Galaxy A56 features a larger vapour chamber compared to last year’s model

Overall, the Galaxy A56 and A36 offer good performance for multitasking, gaming, and other usage scenarios.

Crank up the volume! These phones boast a hybrid stereo speaker system that delivers impressive audio. Expect a surprisingly punchy sound, even some bass, from both the A56 and A36. The best part? You can max out the volume without a hint of distortion.

Both phones offer good loudspeakers and microphones

Microphone and earphone quality were also good on both phones. I also didn’t encounter any call drops during the review.

Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 Cameras: Does the job

• Main rear – 50-megapixel with OIS (Both)
• Ultrawide – 12-megapixel (A56), 8-megapixel (A36)
• Macro – 5-megapixel (Both)
• Selfie – 12-megapixel (Both)

The Galaxy A56 and A36 share a similar camera setup on paper – main, ultrawide, and macro lenses adorn both. But don’t be fooled by the spec sheet! While both boast 50MP main cameras, they utilize distinct sensors, hinting at different image processing and potential results. The ultrawide lenses also diverge, promising subtly varied perspectives. The macro lens, however, offers identical close-up capabilities. Samsung has bumped up the selfie game across the board, equipping both phones with a 12MP front-facing camera, though even these, surprisingly, differ internally.

The phones come with a redesigned rear camera module housing three sensors

The camera app puts creativity at your fingertips. Photo and video are just a tap away, alongside a carousel of other modes, all conveniently placed below the shutter. Essential toggles live at the top, while zoom controls hover right above the action, ready to bring your vision into focus. Unleash your inner photographer with the “More” option, diving into Pro mode for granular control or capturing stunning low-light shots in Night mode.

The Galaxy A56’s daytime photography pops with vibrant, almost painterly colors, capturing impressive detail. While you might want to dial back the brightness for truly stunning shots, the camera shines in sunlight. As dusk settles, the A56 still puts up a fight, though images soften, losing some crispness and vibrancy in the shadows.

Top to bottom: Two x Daylight, One x Lowlight images from the primary rear camera [Tap to expand]

In broad daylight, the ultrawide lens captures decent scenery, although the finer details soften and the dynamic range feels a bit muted. As night falls, image quality takes a nosedive; expect grainy textures and indistinct shapes. The macro lens offers fleeting amusement under bright conditions, but don’t expect stunning results. Thankfully, the selfie camera shines, delivering detailed portraits with impressive dynamic range.

Top – Daylight; Bottom – Lowlight ultrawide shots [Tap to expand]

Video capabilities on the Galaxy A56 are solid, offering 4K recording at 30fps across the board – excluding the macro lens. The main rear camera shines, delivering respectable footage day and night. Daylight videos boast sharp detail, vibrant colors, and minimal noise. Nighttime shoots introduce some noise, but the results remain surprisingly usable. The ultrawide and front cameras also impress in daylight, capturing detailed and colorful videos. Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is present on the primary camera, with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) kicking in for 4K recording. Stabilization is effective, though expect some wobble during intense movement like running. Finally, immersive 360 audio recording and playback are a welcome bonus.

Captured moments burst with life on the Galaxy A36, particularly when bathed in sunlight. The main camera seizes every nuance – vivid colors leap from the frame, details are crisp, and the dynamic range stretches to embrace both shadow and light. While occasional exposure hiccups might occur, the primary lens still pulls off impressive feats even as daylight fades, delivering images that are surprisingly good and undeniably shareable.

Top – Daylight photo; Bottom – Lowlight photo from the main rear camera [Tap to expand]

The ultrawide lens offers passable shots, acceptable in a pinch. The macro camera follows suit, delivering results that are just… there. But the selfie camera? In the sun’s embrace, it shines, capturing sharp details. However, as daylight fades, so does its performance, leaving you with images longing for light.

[Image of ultrawide lens daylight photography]

Top – Ultrawide daylight; Bottom – Ultrawide lowlight [Tap to expand]

Capture life in vibrant 4K at 30fps with both the A36’s main and selfie cameras. Daylight videos burst with detail and rich colors when shot with the main lens. When night falls, expect grain and a drop in clarity. The main camera’s stabilization handles bumps adequately, but expect some wobble. The ultrawide lens records in 1080p, delivering acceptable daylight footage, but struggles significantly in low light.

Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 Battery: Nothing great

• Capacity – 5,000mAh (Both)
• Charging speed – 45W (Both)

While packing the same 5,000mAh battery as before, don’t expect the same longevity. The vibrant, larger display and upgraded processors, while a treat for the eyes and performance, mean a noticeable dip in battery life compared to the A55 and A35.

The Galaxy A56 and A36 offer the same battery capacity as their predecessors

The Galaxy A56 and A36 battled it out in our PCMark Work 3.0 battery gauntlet. The A56 emerged victorious, clocking in at an impressive 12 hours and 13 minutes, narrowly edging out the A36’s solid 12 hours and 2 minutes. Real-world use mirrored these results: both phones easily powered through a full day, delivering a comfortable 4-6 hours of screen-on time, even with moderate usage.

Juice up time! Both the Galaxy A56 and A36 boast 45W fast charging. But here’s the catch: to unlock that lightning speed, you’ll need a 5A cable – the one in the box won’t cut it. In our tests, expect a full charge from 10% in around 80 minutes. So, plug in and power up – just make sure you’ve got the right cable!

Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 Verdict

Samsung’s Galaxy A56 and A36: Style Over Substance?

These mid-range contenders flaunt Samsung’s renowned software prowess, sleek designs, and vibrant displays. The cameras are passable, the performance acceptable. But the price? It places them shoulder-to-shoulder with rivals boasting superior horsepower, longer battery life, and camera systems that truly shine.

Think of the A56 and A36 as fashion-forward choices. If cutting-edge performance and marathon battery sessions aren’t your priority, and you crave that premium feel and Samsung’s commitment to software updates, then one of these handsets, budget depending, might just be your perfect fit. Just know, the competition is fierce.

Think the Galaxy A56 is the only option? Think again. If blistering speed, all-day battery, and camera prowess are your game, step away from the A56. The Nothing Phone 3a Pro, Motorola Edge 50 Pro, or OnePlus Nord 5 deliver a knockout punch in those categories. Feeling budget-conscious and eyeing the Galaxy A36? The Poco X7 Pro or Nothing Phone 3a offer incredible bang for your buck, packing flagship features without the flagship price tag.

Samsung’s Galaxy A56 and A36: Capable contenders, but facing a price-point predicament. Against a backdrop of fierce competition, these phones struggle to truly shine, especially when their price tags are factored into the equation.

Thanks for reading Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 Review: Polished Looks Modest Upgrades