While I had hoped to see the Galaxy S25 Edge before MWC, I was surprised to find out that it wasn’t part of Samsung’s pre-show briefing last week. Instead, what caught my attention was the introduction of the Galaxy A56, a more affordable option in the Galaxy lineup. Set to be released later this year, the Galaxy A56 will have a starting price of $499 (or £499 in the UK), making it slightly cheaper than the Pixel 8a when it first launched. Additionally, Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy A36 and A26, with starting prices of $399 and $299 respectively.
The improvements in the A series this year mirror those seen in the S25. The A56 is thinner than its predecessor, with a thickness of 7.4mm compared to 8.2mm, while sporting a slightly larger 6.7-inch screen. The bezels on the A56 have been further reduced, giving the device a sleeker look.
One of the notable design changes on the A56 is a protruding bump on the side where the volume and power buttons are located. This design tweak, along with the brushed metal frame, adds a unique touch to the device. The camera specs have also been upgraded, with a 12MP ultrawide, 50MP main sensor with an f/1.8 lens, and optical image stabilization on the back, and a 12-megapixel selfie camera on the front.
The A56 also features advanced AI capabilities for image processing, including enhanced subject detection in portrait mode. The device will offer features like Object Eraser, auto trim for videos, and Create Filter for image editing. The One UI 7 interface on the A56 brings style enhancements and home screen improvements, along with promises of six generations of OS updates and six years of security updates.
The Galaxy A36 and A26, also announced by Samsung, come with 6.7-inch screens that offer up to 120Hz refresh rates and brightness levels of 1,200 nits. These models feature triple camera systems with a 50MP main sensor, although the ultrawide camera on the A56 is sharper at 8MP. The A36 and A26 have the same IP67 rating and 5,000mAh battery as the A56, but with 6GB of RAM and a different processor.
In terms of availability, the Galaxy A56 will be available for pre-order in the UK on March 2nd and will officially launch on March 19th. It will come in four colors: Graphite, Olive, Pink, and Light Grey. As for the US release, Samsung has only mentioned that it will be available «later this year.»
FUENTE