Samsung Galaxy A56 Review – Premium Features, Flagship Design, and AI Power

Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy A56, the latest addition to their A-series lineup. Although this device has been announced for a while, it took some time for the retail version to become available. Now that it’s here, we’ve had the chance to explore it fully, and it’s clear that Samsung has raised the bar for mid-range smartphones. The device is currently available in multiple configurations, including options with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage or 8GB of RAM with the same internal storage. Pricing for these models in Pakistan is set at 151,000 PKR and 138,000 PKR respectively.

Color options include Awesome Light Grey, Pink, Olive, and Graphite, with the Light Grey version being the one used in this hands-on experience. The retail box is minimal, including the phone, a USB Type-C cable, and a SIM ejector tool, following the now-standard approach of excluding a charger in the box. The Galaxy A56’s design is clearly inspired by Samsung’s flagship models. It features a glass back protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, giving it a premium and durable feel. The brushed aluminum frame adds to the sleekness, and despite being just 7.4mm thick and weighing around 198 grams, the phone feels solid and premium in the hand.

On the back, Samsung has used its new design language with a clean vertical camera alignment. The light grey finish adds a touch of elegance, making the phone look refined without being flashy. The phone is also IP67 certified, meaning it is both dust and water-resistant for up to 30 minutes in 1.5 meters of water. Moving to the display, the A56 sports a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel with Full HD+ resolution, offering vibrant colors and deep contrasts. The 120Hz refresh rate provides smooth scrolling and interaction, while the peak brightness of 1900 nits ensures excellent visibility, even under direct sunlight. The display also includes HDR10+ support, and an optical in-display fingerprint scanner is integrated, which responds quickly and accurately.

Samsung has paid attention to the audio experience on the A56, equipping it with stereo speakers that offer clear and well-balanced sound. The bottom-firing speaker delivers the primary audio, while the secondary speaker is embedded within the earpiece. In terms of haptics, there’s been a noticeable improvement, and the feedback during navigation and typing feels tight and refined. Under the hood, the Galaxy A56 is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1580 chipset, built on a 4-nanometer process. The octa-core CPU is clocked at 2.9GHz, and it’s paired with the Xclipse 540 GPU. The result is a fluid performance in daily tasks and reliable gameplay for graphically intensive titles like PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile, both of which support 60fps modes on this device.

Multitasking is handled with ease, thanks to LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. Whether you’re switching between apps, rendering videos, or playing games, the phone remains smooth and responsive without any significant overheating. The software experience is equally impressive. The Galaxy A56 comes preloaded with One UI 7, based on Android 15. Samsung promises six years of updates for this device, including four years of major Android OS upgrades and two years of security patches. This extended software support gives users peace of mind that their phone will remain up-to-date through 2031.

AI features have been a major focus for Samsung this year, and the A56 includes many of the Galaxy AI tools seen in flagship devices. These include Object Eraser, Edit Suggestions, and the ability to create custom filters directly within the gallery app. There’s also Bixby voice support, allowing users to control certain functions hands-free. Interpreter mode, however, is not currently available but may be introduced in future updates. The device supports features like NFC, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and 5G across all major bands, ensuring strong and reliable connectivity.

Battery life is another area where the Galaxy A56 excels. It houses a 5000mAh battery, now paired with 45-watt fast charging support, which charges the phone fully in just over an hour. Coupled with One UI’s power efficiency, the battery comfortably lasts a full day of heavy use. The camera system is headlined by a 50-megapixel main sensor with optical image stabilization, accompanied by a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor. Photo quality in daylight is sharp and vibrant, with accurate color reproduction and good dynamic range. Video recording supports up to 4K at 30fps from both the front and rear cameras, and 1080p at 60fps. The front-facing 12-megapixel camera captures natural-looking selfies with balanced skin tones and solid HDR performance.

One useful feature within the gallery is the ability to match the filter of one photo to another by long-pressing and copying the style, streamlining the editing process. Portrait mode is effective with good edge detection, and slow-motion video recording is available for more creative captures. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A56 delivers a flagship-like experience in a mid-range package. From its premium materials and impressive display to its powerful performance, advanced AI tools, and long-term software support, it offers exceptional value. It’s an ideal choice for users who want a top-tier experience without stepping into the flagship price bracket.