Thinner, lighter, with faster charging and several artificial intelligence features, this mid-range model clearly displays its ambitions. Enough to become a must-have this year?
Design and ergonomics: thinner, more elegant
Samsung has revised its aesthetics. At only 7.4 mm thick (compared to 8.2 mm for last year's A55) and a weight reduced to 198 grams, the Galaxy A56 (5G in the name, but simply 5G in reality) is easy to forget in your pocket while offering a pleasant grip. The device retains premium materials with a metal frame and a glass back protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, usually reserved for high-end models. The most visible new feature concerns the camera unit, now integrated into an oval island. While the change has the merit of giving the smartphone a certain identity, in line with the S25 range, it is also very bulky. Without a case to protect (and balance) everything, we're already worried about dropping it.
As is customary with the Galaxy range, the A56's finish is impeccable, with IP67 certification, 5G, an NFC chip, Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, to cover all eventualities. We also find the Key Island, this slight elevation around the volume and power buttons that makes them easier to locate by touch. There's no doubt about it, Samsung has an eye for detail. With its four colors: Black, Gray, Sage Green, and Pink, we appreciate the smartphone's ability to avoid fingerprints, a detail that is always appreciated on a daily basis.
Screen: always at the top
If Samsung excels in one area, it's screens. The Galaxy A56 is no exception with its 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel with Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels). The variable refresh rate goes up to 120 Hz, guaranteeing exemplary fluidity, whether navigating the interface, scrolling on social networks, or playing video games. We find a perfect brightness, even in bright light, and vibrant colors, with infinite contrasts. Protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, the panel doesn't have to suffer from the competition, even with more expensive models. The central punch is quickly forgotten, the overall experience is impeccable.
Performance: at the service of AI
Under the hood, the Galaxy A56 features the new in-house Exynos 1580 processor, octa-core and engraved in 4 nm. Coupled with 8 GB of RAM, the chip offers very satisfactory performance for a smartphone in this price range. Throughout our test, the terminal shone on multitasking, with use always fluid even on demanding 3D games.
| Screen | - 6.7’’ FHD+ Super AMOLED screen - 120 Hz adaptive refresh - 1200 nits brightness - Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®+ |
| SoC and GPU | - Exynos 1580 SoC 8 cores |
| Memory | - 8 GB of RAM - 128 or 256 GB of storage memory |
| Colors | - Pink - Sage green - Graphite - Gray |
| Camera | - 12 Mpx Super HDR Selfie Sensor (f/2.2) - 12 Mpx UGA sensor (f/1.8) - 50 Mpx main sensor (f/2.2) - 5 Mpx Macro Sensor (f/2.4) - 10x Digital Zoom - Photo suggestion via AI tools - 4K UHD video (3840 x 2160) 30fps |
| Battery | - 5000 mAh - 45W fast charging - No wireless charging |
| Connectivities | - Accelerometer - Fingerprint sensor - Gyroscope - Geomagnetic sensor - Light sensor - Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Software | - 6 years of updates guaranteed - One UI 7 - AI (Circle to search, object eraser, photo editing suggestion) |
| Size and Weight | - 198 grams - 162 x 77 x 7.4 mm |
| Introduction price | - €499 for the 128 GB version - €549 for the 256 GB version |
| Availability Date | March 2025 |
While the smartphone has some physical changes, it's under the hood that the most new features are present. On the software side, we find Android 15 with the One UI 7 overlay. A clear, customizable, and intuitive interface that guarantees six years of updates, and gives pride of place to artificial intelligence. No surprises there, but it's always pleasant. AI is no longer reserved for the Korean manufacturer's high-end models, but is now available on all of its models. We find the Gemini assistant, the Circle to Search function which allows you to search for information by simply surrounding an element on the screen, the magic eraser for photos, or the Now Bar, a quick access to useful information inspired by Apple's Dynamic Island.
Photography: a proven but effective configuration
Samsung has not revolutionized the photo part of its Galaxy A56, but the software optimizations bring real added value to the experience. The triple rear module consists of a 50 MP main sensor with optical stabilization, a 12 MP ultra-wide angle, and a 5 MP macro sensor. In favorable lighting conditions, the shots are detailed with very satisfactory colors. In low light, the progress is notable compared to the previous generation, even if we are obviously far from the performance of the Galaxy S range. On the front, the 12 megapixel selfie sensor (compared to 32 MP on the A55) delivers flattering portraits with a good level of detail.
Nothing very surprising then: the Galaxy A56 does not disappoint, but does not surprise either, with a rendering in the average of its category, and still the possibility of filming in 4K at 30 fps from its front sensor. Effective, but conventional.
Autonomy and charging
The 5000 mAh battery offers a comfortable battery life that can easily last a full day, or even two days with moderate use (which is obviously not our case). The real innovation is in the charging department: the Galaxy A56 finally switches to 45W fast charging, which allows it to recover 50% of the battery in 25 minutes. In everyday use, this is a real time saver, even if we still regret that the smartphone does without wireless charging, even at low power.
Price and availability
Starting at €499 for the 128 GB version and €549 for the 256 GB, the Galaxy A56 5G stands out as an interesting option in the mid-range segment. It succeeds in correcting the main weaknesses of its predecessor, notably with its faster charging and its refined design.
0 Comments