Samsung has a unique way of addressing user needs, and the A series rightly delivers on this promise. If your budget is slightly constrained and you missed out on the flagship Galaxy S series, the latest Samsung Galaxy A56 offers cutting-edge features and AI tools at a more affordable price. However, unlike the S series, the A series continues with the Exynos processor. The new Galaxy A56 is powered by the Exynos 1580 SoC, and to explore its capabilities in detail, let’s dive right in.
Design
The Samsung Galaxy A56 retains the signature design language of its predecessor, the Galaxy A55, with a few subtle refinements. The most noticeable change is the new ‘Grouped Linear Floating Camera Island,’ replacing the individual camera rings with a sleek, pill-shaped module housing three sensors. This chrome-finished camera module creates a floating effect as it protrudes slightly from the back panel, though it does result in some wobbling when placed on a flat surface. Using a case can help balance this out.
Available in three colour options—Awesome Olive (review variant), Awesome Graphite, and Awesome Light Gray—the Galaxy A56 exudes sophistication. The glossy glass back panel, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, resists fingerprints and adds durability. Further enhancing its build quality, the smartphone boasts an IP67 certification, making it dust- and water-resistant.
I also liked how the new Galaxy A56 feels in hand – light and manageable (obviously not like the Galaxy S25). The phone features a “Key Island” design for the power and volume buttons, ensuring easy accessibility. At the bottom, there’s a USB Type-C port, accompanied by a speaker grille.
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Display
Samsung is known for its top-notch displays, and the Galaxy A56 is no exception. The device features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel with a Full HD+ resolution and a smooth 120 Hz refresh rate. The central punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera allows for an immersive viewing experience. With a peak brightness of 1,900 nits, the screen remains visible even under direct sunlight, making it ideal for outdoor use.
The display produces vibrant and punchy colours, which can be fine-tuned to individual preferences through the settings. It offers excellent viewing angles and deep contrast, ensuring an engaging visual experience. Surprisingly, the phone lacks HDR support. However, it does feature Widevine L1 certification.
OS and AI
The Samsung Galaxy A56 runs on One UI 7, layered atop Android 15. The software experience is smooth and intuitive, aligning closely with Samsung’s flagship lineup. One of its standout features is the inclusion of Galaxy AI tools, such as Circle to Search, which allows users to find relevant information instantly, and AI Select, which offers contextual options based on the content on the screen.
Additionally, the smartphone supports Samsung Pay and Knox security, ensuring a secure and feature-rich experience. The best part? Samsung is offering six years of major OS and security updates, making the Galaxy A56 one of the most future-proof devices in its segment.
Performance
The latest Galaxy A56 is powered by the Exynos 1580 SoC, paired with up to 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage. The phone handles everyday tasks like browsing, social media scrolling, and video streaming effortlessly. Casual gaming is smooth, but graphics-intensive titles like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile run at reduced settings, and the phone tends to heat up under prolonged gaming sessions.
In Geekbench tests, the Galaxy A56 scored 1,370 in single-core and 3,906 in multi-core, while the GPU achieved 6,534. These numbers are decent but fall short when compared with the OnePlus 13R, which boasts a 2,214 single-core score, 6,597 multi-core score, and a GPU score of 14,578. For users prioritising raw performance, the OnePlus 13R emerges as the superior choice.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy A56 houses a triple-camera setup on the rear, featuring a 50 MP primary sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and a 5 MP macro unit. On the front, there’s a 12 MP selfie shooter. Samsung has infused AI-powered features into the camera system, ensuring well-balanced and vibrant shots across different lighting conditions.
Galaxy A56 camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
In daylight, the 50 MP primary camera captures crisp and detailed shots with true-to-life colours and excellent dynamic range. Samsung’s image processing is well-tuned, ensuring that images retain natural saturation without excessive oversharpening. Even in complex lighting scenarios, the sensor manages highlights and shadows effectively, reducing overexposure and bringing out the finer details.
Galaxy A56 camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
The 12 MP ultra-wide lens expands the field of view, making it ideal for landscape and group shots. The phone maintains colour consistency between the primary and ultra-wide sensors, minimising the common issue of washed-out or oversaturated edges. The distortion correction also works well, keeping perspective lines intact. For users focused on close-up shots, the 5 MP macro camera enables detailed clicks of small subjects.
Galaxy A56 camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
Portrait mode continues to be a highlight, thanks to Samsung’s advanced edge detection and natural-looking bokeh effect. The AI-powered Best Face feature ensures subjects appear at their best by adjusting facial details without excessive smoothing.
Galaxy A56 camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
In low-light conditions, the Galaxy A56 benefits from Night Mode, which significantly enhances brightness while reducing noise. The images maintain the clarity and depth which I liked. The 12 MP selfie camera maintains excellent skin tones and sharp details, with HDR optimization ensuring well-balanced exposure even in backlit conditions. AI-assisted features subtly enhance facial details while keeping the results natural.
Samsung has also integrated AI-powered tools like Object Eraser and Remaster, allowing users to remove unwanted elements from photos and enhance clarity with just a few taps. These smart additions make the Galaxy A56’s camera system not just powerful but also user-friendly, ensuring great results with minimal effort.
Battery and Charging
The Galaxy A56 is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, providing reliable all-day usage. During my testing period, the phone lasted a day easily on moderate usage. Charging, however, isn’t the fastest. The device supports 45 W fast charging, but Samsung does not include a charger in the box. A full charge takes approximately an hour, which is reasonable but slower than some competitors.
Verdict
Starting at ₹41,999, the Samsung Galaxy A56 captures every aspect beautifully— it looks good, performs well at everyday tasks, and offers a solid set of specifications. Its sleek design, vibrant display, and AI-powered software features make it a strong contender in its segment. The long-term software support and IP67 rating further add to its appeal, ensuring durability and longevity.
However, when it comes to raw performance, the OnePlus 13R has the edge with its more powerful chipset. That said, the Galaxy A56 prioritises a more balanced experience. If you value a premium design, software longevity, and AI-driven features over sheer performance, the Galaxy A56 stands as a compelling alternative in its segment.
Published – March 21, 2025 03:05 pm IST