Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy A56, succeeding the A55, is set to launch in March 2025, featuring a revamped rear design and a slightly larger 6.7-inch AMOLED display. It will be powered by the Exynos 1580 chipset, promising enhanced performance and improved low-light photography. The device maintains a 5000 mAh battery with faster 45W charging. The camera setup remains largely unchanged, while the software will include One UI 7, potentially offering AI features. Pricing is expected to align with last year’s models.
The highly anticipated Galaxy A56 is set to launch in the upcoming months, succeeding the Galaxy A55 as Samsung’s flagship mid-range device. It will face stiff competition from smartphones such as the Pixel 9a and iPhone SE 4, along with two yet-to-be-announced premium models.
Redesigned Rear Aesthetic
Renowned leaker Evan Blass has unveiled images of the Galaxy A56 5G, revealing only minor physical changes. The device retains a flat screen, though the lower chin appears slightly larger compared to the rest of the frame. The right side still features the characteristic prominence for the side buttons.
The most significant alteration is found on the back, where the camera module has received a redesign. Unlike OnePlus, which was praised for its innovative camera layout on the OnePlus 13, Samsung’s redesign for the Galaxy A56 may raise eyebrows.
Transitioning from three distinct lenses elegantly positioned on the case to a pill-shaped module that clusters them together creates a more cramped look. This aesthetic shift could also lead to a thicker device, raising concerns about potential wobbling when laid flat without a case.
On the protection front, the Galaxy A56 is expected to mirror its predecessor, featuring Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, along with maintaining IP67 certification.
The finish will shift from glossy to matte backs, a strategic move to reduce fingerprints. Consumers can look forward to four color options: black, gray, green, and pink, which are more muted compared to the vibrant hues of the Galaxy A55.
Display Enhancements
The Galaxy A56 is rumored to feature a slightly larger 6.7-inch screen, an increase of 0.1 inches. While specific dimensions are still under wraps, it’s likely that Samsung has expanded the overall size, as evidenced by the noticeable black frame surrounding the display.
The screen will retain a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), leading to a slight decrease in pixel density (385 ppi compared to 390 ppi).
Expect the display to remain an AMOLED panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ compatibility.
We hope for enhancements in brightness and color accuracy, as these have been areas needing improvement, particularly highlighted by the recent Galaxy S25 and S25 Ultra models.
Performance Boost with Exynos 1580
Under the hood, the Galaxy A56 is set to house the Exynos 1580, a successor to the Exynos 1480 found in the Galaxy A55. Paired with 8 GB of RAM, this new chipset aims to deliver performance comparable to the Snapdragon 888 utilized in the Galaxy S21 Ultra, utilizing a cutting-edge 4 nm manufacturing process.
The graphics performance will also see a leap forward with the inclusion of an Xclipse 540 GPU based on AMD’s RDNA3 architecture, promising a 37% boost in performance over its predecessor.
Additionally, the Exynos 1580 is expected to enhance low-light photography capabilities through improved noise reduction, courtesy of its upgraded image signal processor (ISP). An advanced neural processing unit (NPU) is anticipated to better support Samsung’s AI features on the A56.
Furthermore, the Exynos 1580 will support Bluetooth 5.4, offering smoother interactions and improved energy efficiency compared to the previous version.
Camera Specifications Remain Steady
On the photography front, there are no significant updates regarding the camera setup. The most notable change appears to be the potential replacement of the 32 MP front sensor from the Galaxy A55 with a 12 MP sensor. While this might seem like a downgrade, it could actually be a wise choice as it mirrors the quality of the sensor used in the S25. It’s crucial to remember that higher megapixels do not necessarily equate to superior photos; sometimes, a better sensor makes all the difference.
Software with Enhanced AI Features
The Galaxy A56 is likely to launch with One UI 7, Samsung’s latest user interface introduced with the Galaxy S25.
This new interface is expected to feature several visual modifications, including a dual-section top menu for notifications and settings, an endless app drawer, and the Now Bar.
While some AI functionalities from the S25 may not be fully integrated, we can anticipate a selection of these features, potentially including:
Moreover, it’s reasonable to expect Samsung’s Cross App system to facilitate smoother interaction between Gemini and installed applications, as well as the Now Brief feature for daily summaries.
As for software updates, the promise of 7 years of Android and security updates should continue with this model.
Battery Capacity Maintained, Charging Speed Enhanced
Samsung is likely to stick with a 5000 mAh battery for the Galaxy A56. However, users can look forward to faster charging capabilities, increasing from 25 Watts to an impressive 45 Watts. For context, a full charge at 45 Watts takes around one hour, as demonstrated with the Galaxy S25+.
Anticipated Launch Date for the Galaxy A56
The Galaxy A56 is expected to be unveiled in March 2025, aligning with Samsung’s traditional release schedule. This timeframe mirrors the announcement of the Galaxy A55 last year. Additionally, we can anticipate the unveiling of more budget-friendly variants: A36, A26, and A06. The Galaxy A16 was launched at the end of the previous year, marking it as the first entry-level smartphone to offer 7 years of updates.
Estimated Pricing for the Galaxy A56
To gauge the launch price of the Galaxy A56, we can look to the Galaxy S25, which maintained last year’s pricing. It’s reasonable to predict that Samsung will adopt a similar pricing strategy for the Galaxy A56. If this holds true, the variants might be priced as follows:
In its quest to compete with the Pixel 9a and iPhone SE 4, these pricing strategies would position it favorably against the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G and Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G, both of which offer competitive specifications.