While I naively wanted to see the Galaxy S25 Edge ahead of MWC, that wasn’t what I saw recently at Samsung’s pre-show instruction. What I did see may interest numerous of you: a more affordable piece of Galaxy hardware in the type of the Galaxy A56. It will be offered later on this year, beginning at $499 (or ₤ 499 in the UK), which is somewhat more affordable than the Pixel 8a when it initially appeared. Samsung likewise revealed the Galaxy A36 and A26 today, and they’ll begin at $399 and $299 respectively.
A number of the A series upgrades this year match what we saw from the S25. The A56 is thinner than its predecessorto 7.4 mm from 8.2 mm, while loading a partially larger 6.7-inch screen. The bezels, which were generally among the most popular visual informs of an A series, have actually been shaved the gadget’s bezels down even more on the A56, too.
The hardware has actually been fine-tuned, with a brushed metal frame and a small style twist: a brand-new somewhat extending bump on the side where the volume and power buttons sit. When I got to manage the A56 briefly, I liked this. Asymmetry aside, it was much easier to deal with, which was unexpected because this was a 6.7-inch gadget, and I’m more utilized to 6.3-inch phones. The A56 felt less unwieldy. (Did Samsung’s designers read my unhinged editorial on the sides of phones and choose to muddy the waters even more? Maybe.)
It’s a variety on electronic camera specifications this year. The front of the A56 now has a lower-res 12-megapixel selfie electronic camera, while on the back sits an updated 12MP ultrawide, 50MP primary sensing unit with an f/1.8 lens and optical image stabilization. There’s still a 5MP macro lens for somebody out there.
Those brand-new video cameras include a lot of the current upgrades on the S25 household, consisting of enhanced image signal processing for much better low-light efficiency, in addition to a raft of AI functions, consisting of improved subject detection in picture mode. Samsung states the A56 will much better acknowledge sky, skin, deals with, hair and turf for enhanced bokeh impacts.
Relating to AI-powered image modifying, there’s likewise Object Eraser, automobile trim for videos and Create Filter, where you can pick an existing image and use its color and tone to a various picture. You’ll likewise get Best Face, which lets you select from several captures for everybody’s finest expression, as long as you have movement pictures allowed. These aren’t brand-new functions on smart devices, however their addition brings the midrange A56 more detailed to the Galaxy S25.
Through One UI 7, the A56 gets design flourishes and home screen enhancements like the Now bar, alert panel modifications and scalable widgets in various sizes and shapes. Samsung likewise guarantees 6 generations of OS updates (up from 4 on in 2015’s A55) and 6 years of security updates.
As you can inform by now, there aren’t any surprises here. The 5,000 mAh battery is the exact same size as the A55’s, although the charging speed is now 45W. The business states you can charge the gadget completely in simply over an hour. Samsung has actually switched to its own 4nm Exynos 1580 chip, too, with CPU increases of around 18 percent. The hardware, when again, inches closer to the quality and premium feel of what we usually see on Galaxy S gadgets.
It’s peak midrange phone season. The Galaxy A56 takes on the just recently introduced iPhone 16ewhile reports recommend Google’s Pixel 9a might break cover soon.
The Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A26
Samsung likewise revealed the Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G today, which both have 6.7-inch screens that get as intense as 1,200 nits and revitalize at as much as 120Hz. They feature One UI 7 also, consisting of functions like Circle To Search that formerly introduced on costlier phones. Plus, they likewise include triple video camera systems on the back with a 50MP primary sensing unit, though their ultrawide setup cam is not as sharp as the A56 at 8MP. A few of the software application functions, like Best Face, are likewise scheduled for the A56, though you’ll still discover the upgraded Object Eraser and Filters on the set of more affordable handsets.
Though the A36 and A26 have the very same IP67 score and 5,000 mAh battery as the A56, they’ll just load 6GB of RAM and the A36 utilizes the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor rather of the Exynos 1580 in the A56.
Galaxy A56 rate and schedule
In the UK, the Galaxy A56 will go on preorder on March 2nd and launch on March 19th. It’ll be available in 4 “remarkable” (Samsung’s phrasing) colors, Graphite, Olive, Pink and Light Grey. Due to the fact that absolutely nothing screams remarkable like a lighter shade of grey. While we do have United States rates, Samsung hasn’t shared more accurate timing for schedule than “later on this year.”
