Samsung Galaxy A56 Review: A Stylish Mid-Ranger With a Stellar Display and Solid Everyday Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A56 continues the legacy of the A-series with a refined design and a focus on everyday reliability. While it shares a lot of visual DNA with its predecessor, the Galaxy A55, the A56 brings subtle yet noticeable upgrades—especially in the camera department and user experience.
Design: Familiar, Yet Fresh
At first glance, the Galaxy A56 looks strikingly similar to the A55, but Samsung has made a few thoughtful refinements. The most noticeable change is on the back—where the A56 sports a single, capsule-shaped camera module that slightly protrudes, replacing the three individually placed lenses seen in the previous model. The chrome-accented camera unit includes an LED flash and gives the back a sleeker, more unified appearance, though it does cause the phone to wobble slightly on flat surfaces.
We received the Awesome Olive variant, which has a subdued olive hue that could appear grey in certain lighting. The back features a slightly darker Samsung logo near the bottom and boasts a smooth glass finish, adding a premium touch. The phone is framed in aluminum with flat sides, in line with current design trends. The power and volume buttons are placed on a slightly contoured “key island” on the right side, making them easy to access. The SIM tray, USB-C port, and speaker grille are housed at the bottom, while the top and left sides are left clean.
At 7.4 mm thick and 198 grams, the Galaxy A56 feels slim and reasonably light for a 6.7-inch phone. While not ideal for one-handed use due to its height (162.2 mm), it sits comfortably in hand and exudes understated elegance.
Display and Everyday Performance: A Delightful Duo
The Galaxy A56’s highlight is undoubtedly its 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. True to Samsung’s reputation, the screen is vivid, offers deep blacks, and remains bright even in harsh lighting conditions thanks to its peak brightness of 1900 nits. It’s a fantastic display for streaming content, gaming, or just browsing.
Under the hood, the phone runs on Samsung’s Exynos 1580 chipset, and it comes in three RAM/storage combinations: 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB, and 12GB/256GB. We tested the top-tier model and found it more than capable of handling daily tasks—browsing, social media, messaging, and multitasking were all smooth. Even casual gaming is handled well.
However, performance takes a hit when pushing the device with graphically demanding games like Call of Duty: Mobile, BGMI, or Fortnite. Despite reducing in-game settings, we experienced frame drops and heating during prolonged play. So, while the A56 shines in general use, it’s not built for heavy-duty gaming.
Audio, Biometrics, and Software Experience
Samsung complements its display with stereo speakers that offer rich and immersive sound, making the A56 an excellent multimedia device. The in-display fingerprint sensor works reliably, and call quality is solid. The phone ships with the latest version of One UI, adding to a clean and intuitive user experience.
The IP67 rating means the A56 can withstand dust and accidental water exposure, and Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection on both front and back enhances durability.
Camera: The Main Sensor Steals the Show
The Galaxy A56 features a triple rear camera setup:
50MP primary camera with OIS
12MP ultra-wide camera
5MP macro sensor
The 50MP main camera delivers sharp images with excellent detail and dynamic range. However, it tends to oversaturate colors, which might appeal to some users but could be off-putting for those preferring natural tones. Low-light performance is decent, though not class-leading. The Night mode improves image quality slightly but doesn’t deliver dramatic results.
The ultrawide and macro lenses are usable, but they don’t match the main camera’s performance. The ultra-wide is great for landscape shots, while the macro lens is more of a bonus feature for close-ups.
Final Verdict: Worth the Buy for Most Users
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is a classy, capable mid-range device that impresses with its design, display quality, and overall day-to-day performance. While it may not cater to hardcore gamers or photography purists, it ticks most boxes for average smartphone users. The premium feel, dependable camera, vivid display, and Samsung’s software support make it a strong contender in its price segment.
Pros:
Gorgeous Super AMOLED 120Hz display
Sleek and durable design
Solid main camera performance
Smooth everyday performance
IP67 rating and Gorilla Glass protection
Cons:
Not suitable for high-end gaming
Color reproduction may be too punchy for some
Secondary cameras are average
