Samsung Galaxy A56 vs Galaxy A36 preview: Almost the same phone
Intro
Samsung’s new mid-range offerings, the Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G, are shaping up to be strong contenders in the affordable smartphone market.
While both devices share several similarities—such as a 6.7-inch displays, Gorilla Glass protection, and a 5,000 mAh battery—there are some key and intricate differences that set them apart.
The A56 5G features a more premium aluminum frame, a slightly more powerful chipset, and faster 45W wired charging. It also seems to have an edge in the camera department, with a higher-resolution ultra-wide and front camera compared to the A36 5G.
Meanwhile, the A36 5G sticks with a plastic frame and slightly lower-end hardware, but it could still be a great option for budget-conscious buyers.
And get this––the Galaxy A56 is making a return to the US' mid-range market, aiming to battle it out with the Pixel 9a and the iPhone 16e.
Here's the nitty-gritty of the two new phones.
Galaxy A56 5G vs Galaxy A36 5G differences & similarities:
| Galaxy A56 | Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|
| Same size but with an aluminum frame, IP67 | Lighter thanks to its plastic frame, IP67 |
| 6.7" display with 1,200 nit brightness | 6.7" display with 1,200 nit brightness |
| Exynos 1580 chipset | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 |
| Android 15 and One UI 7 | Currently on Android 14/One UI 6.1 |
| 45W wired charging | Same 45W wired charging |
| 50MP main camera with Best Face, enhanced Nightography | 50MP main camera |
| 12MP ultrawide | 8MP ultrawide |
| 5,000 mAh battery | 5,000 mAh battery |
| Six years of OS updates | Six years of OS updates |
Table of Contents:
Read more:
- Galaxy A36 and A56 expected features, prices, specs, and upgrades
- Samsung Galaxy A36 5G vs Galaxy A35 5G: Main differences to expect
- Samsung Galaxy A56 vs A55 vs A54: Breaking down the evolution in Samsung’s mid-range series
- Galaxy A36 and A56 expected features, prices, specs, and upgrades
Design and Size
The A36 5G might still have a plastic frame, while the A56 5G is expected to rock an aluminum one
Two similar yet so different Galaxies (Image by PhoneArena)
The new Galaxy A series look very similar to their predecessors, but both feature a key change: instead of having the rear cameras separated, they are bundled together in one vertical pill-shaped island. Nothing but a design choice that by no means affects the usability or the camera capabilities of the two devices.
The more expensive A56 comes with an aluminum frame, instead of the plastic one on the Galaxy A36. The former surely feels decidedly more premium in the hand at the expense of just 3 grams, which one can hardly notice.
Fairly thin, but with a meaty battery inside (Image by PhoneArena)
The dimensions of both are almost identical: the Galaxy A36 measures 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm, while the Galaxy A56 stands at 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm. The phones weigh 195 and 198 gr, respectively.
Oh, and if you wondered what has happened with the Key Island design feature, rest assured it is still here, for better or for worse.
The signature feature of the Galaxy A-series (Image by PhoneArena)
Both phones keep the same IP67 dust and water resistance rating as earlier models. It's a step-down from the IP68 flagship standard and offers slightly inferior water-resistance.
Display Differences
Samsung has slightly increased the screen size, from 6.6 inches on the previous models to 6.7 inches on the Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A56. The resolution is the same as before (FHD+), and both phones support 120Hz refresh rate.
The peak brightness on both is 1200 nits, a very decent upgrade that will make them that much more legible outside.
Both phones' screens are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus.
Performance and Software
Where the A56 is certainly ahead
Performance is where the pricier Galaxy A5x model usually differs from the A3x, and that's precisely the case with the Galaxy A56 and the Galaxy A36.
There's an Exynos 1580 chip inside the Galaxy A56 5G, which offers better performance than the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 that's humming inside the Galaxy A36.
As per our benchmark tests, it's the Exynos-powered Galaxy A56 that's decidedly ahead. It beats the Galaxy A36 in both the CPU and GPU benchmarks we ran.
Another important change is in the memory department. The Galaxy A56 comes with 8GB of RAM, which allows it to boast more AI features, which are here called "Awesome Intelligence". Yes, these are the same Galaxy AI features you'd find on the Galaxy S25 series, but integrated into the Galaxy A series. These include the Best Face feature, enhanced nightography, Object Eraser, and custom filters that extract colors and styles from existing images.
The Galaxy A36, on the other hand, has just 6GB of RAM, but still supports some Awesome Intelligence features, like Object Eraser and the new filters.
Both the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 start with 128GB of storage.
The duo comes with Android 15 and One UI 7, ahead of the Galaxy S24 series. Interestingly, Samsung will support the new phones for six years with major OS and One UI upgrades, as well as security patches, which is great for a mid-range phone.
Camera
Similar camera quality
The Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 come with 50MP main and gimmicky 5MP macro cameras, but the Galaxy A56 has an edge with a 12MP ultrawide camera, while the Galaxy A36 has an 8MP one.
Here are the detailed camera specs on both:
Galaxy A56 camera specs:
Galaxy A56 camera specs:
- Main — 50 MP resolution, f/1.8 aperture, 1/1.56" sensor size, 1.0µm pixel size, PDAF, optical image stabilization (OIS)
- Ultra-wide — 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 1/3.06", 1.12µm
- Macro — 5 MP, f/2.4
- Front — 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm, 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Galaxy A36 camera specs:
- Main — 50 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.96", PDAF, OIS
- Ultra-wide — 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 1/4.0", 1.12µm
- Macro — 5 MP, f/2.4
- Front — 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm
As you can see, the A56 5G uses a slightly bigger sensor for the main and ultra-wide cameras, and it also has a better front camera. There is no dedicated telephoto zoom lens on either one.
Of the two phones, only the Galaxy A56 comes with the Best Face feature and the enhanced nightography. At the same time, however, both score 10-bit HDR video recording on their front cameras.
Here are our first camera samples with both devices.
More Galaxy A56 vs Galaxy A36 camera samples
Battery Life and Charging
Same batteries, but likely different battery life
Both phones feature 5,000 mAh batteries, and surprisingly enough, both support 45W wired charging, which is exceptional, given that even the Galaxy S25 flagship doesn't support that. However, wireless charging remains terra incognita for both models.
Additionally, Samsung is not expected to include a charger in the box with the A56 5G, so buyers will need to purchase a compatible 45W charger separately.
Additionally, Samsung is not expected to include a charger in the box with the A56 5G, so buyers will need to purchase a compatible 45W charger separately.
Specs Comparison
Here's a quick overview of the expected Galaxy A56 vs Galaxy A36 specs. Keep in mind that all of these are based on rumors and our own educated guess, so take them with a grain of salt.
| Galaxy A56 | Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|
| Size: 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm, 198 gr | Size: 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm, 195 gr |
| Screen: 6.7" Super AMOLED 1080 x 2340 pixels 1200 nits peak brightness 120Hz refresh rate | Screen: 6.7" Super AMOLED 1080 x 2340 pixels 1200 nits peak brightness 120Hz refresh rate |
| Processor: Exynos 1580 4nm | Processor: Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 5nm |
| Versions: 8GB/128GB 8GB/256GB LPDDR5 memory UFS 3.1 storage | Versions: 6GB/128GB 8GB/256GB LPDDR5 memory UFS 3.1 storage |
| Cameras: 50MP main 12MP ultra 5MP macro 12MP front | Cameras: 50MP main 8MP ultra 5MP macro 12MP front |
| Battery: 5000 mAh | Battery: 5000 mAh |
| Charging: USB-C 45W wired | Charging: USB-C 45W wired |
Summary
At the end of the day, the Galaxy A56 5G and A36 5G appear to be more similar than different. The main difference that will make the biggest impact is the processor speed: that's likely the thing that will matter the most, as the rest is already extremely similar.
The more upscale Galaxy A56 is launching at $500 later this year, while the Galaxy A36 will cost $400. We don't know if the A36 will come to the US, but the Galaxy A56 is certainly coming to the US!
Stay tuned for our full review!
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