Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 Review: Refined Aesthetics with Modest Enhancements

Samsung’s Galaxy A series has carved out a significant niche in the smartphone market, offering stylish designs and features at prices that are far more wallet-friendly compared to the premium Galaxy S models. In 2025, the company introduced the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 as successors to last year’s A55 and A35 models. While these new models come with subtle design changes and minor upgrades, one can’t help but wonder if they can hold their own against fierce competition. Let’s dive deeper into these devices.

Pricing Insight

The starting price for the Galaxy A56 is Rs. 41,999 for the model equipped with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The Galaxy A36 comes in at a lower price point of Rs. 32,999 for the same RAM and storage configuration. For the review, the team got their hands on the Awesome Olive variant of the Galaxy A56, while the Awesome Lavender option for the Galaxy A36 was also assessed.

Design: Premium Appeal

The Galaxy A series has always managed to impress with its premium look and feel. The dimensions of the Galaxy A56 are 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm and it weighs 198 grams. Meanwhile, the A36 measures 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm and weighs slightly less at 195 grams. Users can choose from a beautiful selection of colours: the A56 is available in Awesome Graphite, Awesome Light Grey, and Awesome Olive, whereas the A36 comes in Awesome Black, Awesome Lavender, and Awesome White.

In terms of build quality, both models feature a glass back protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+. The A56 boasts an aluminium frame, while the A36 opts for a matte plastic finish. Visually, the phones are nearly identical, showcasing a pill-shaped camera module that hugs the phone’s exterior, housing three cameras and an LED flash.

The right side of both phones has the power button and volume control, while the bottom features a USB Type-C port, SIM tray (supporting dual nano SIMs), and microphones. Even though they have slightly thicker chins, the overall design is minimalist and premium.

Display: Bigger and Brighter

Both devices flaunt a 6.7-inch full-HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This year, users will enjoy slightly larger and brighter screens compared to previous models. They deliver peak brightness levels up to 1,900 nits, making them suitable for various lighting conditions. The A56 goes a step further by offering HDR10+ support, enhancing your viewing experience considerably.

Software: AI Integrated

Running on Android 15 with One UI 7, both models promise excellent software support with six years of updates and security patches. Samsung has incorporated some AI features that allow users to perform interesting tasks like grabbing text from photos or designing custom wallpapers.

Performance: Suitable for Everyday Tasks

Under the hood, the Galaxy A56 is powered by the Exynos 1580, while the A36 comes equipped with a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor. Both phones manage decent performance, with the A56 outperforming the A36 in synthetic benchmarks. Real-world usage shows that they handle daily tasks comfortably, and users can expect good performance in gaming apps like BGMI and Asphalt without overheating.

Camera Capabilities: Adequate, Not Exceptional

Both models feature a similar camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide lens for the A56—while the A36 has an 8MP ultrawide. The main cameras do a good job in daylight conditions, though low-light performance leaves something to be desired. Selfie lovers will appreciate the upgraded 12MP front camera, which takes decent selfies, particularly in bright conditions.

Battery Performance: Meets Expectations

Both models come with a 5,000mAh battery, consistent with their predecessors. However, the brighter displays and enhanced performance may lead to slightly reduced battery life. Both devices support 45W fast charging, allowing users to recharge quickly, but you’d need a suitable 5A cable for optimal charging speed.

Verdict: Solid Mid-range Choices

In summary, the Galaxy A56 and A36 offer a quality combination of design, display, and software support. While they undoubtedly provide a premium feel, potential buyers should consider other options if performance, battery life, and camera quality are higher up on their checklist. Those looking at the Galaxy A36 might want to explore alternatives like the Nothing Phone 3a or Poco X7 Pro for better overall value.

In a crowded market, the Galaxy A56 and A36 are solid contenders, but their upgrades might not be enough for everyone to overlook the competition.

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Original Text – https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/reviews/samsung-galaxy-a56-a36-review-9012820