Samsung Galaxy A56 5G Review: Affordable AI Features and Impressive Performance at a Great Price

Samsung’s A-series lineup has long been a staple in the mid-range smartphone market, delivering flagship-like performance and features at more accessible prices. The latest in the lineup, the Galaxy A56 5G, builds upon this foundation by offering a mix of upgraded performance, enhanced design, and the introduction of AI capabilities. With a price tag aimed at the mid-range segment, Samsung’s goal is clear: to provide users with a feature-packed device without breaking the bank. But does it succeed? Here’s our in-depth review of the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G.

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G: Design and Display

One of the first things that stands out with the Galaxy A56 5G is its redesigned camera bump. Gone is the individual lens placement of its predecessor, replaced with a sleek, pill-shaped setup that is blacked out for a more premium look. The phone's back panel is crafted from glass with a frosty matte finish, offering a blend of gloss and sophistication that gives it an upscale feel.

The Galaxy A56 5G is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, making it comfortable to hold with its flat side rails and rounded corners. Whether you're using the phone with one hand or two, the size feels just right for most users, though those with smaller hands may need to adjust their grip.

Samsung has also ensured the phone’s durability with an IP67 water and dust-resistant rating, offering peace of mind if the phone encounters an accidental splash or dust exposure.

Moving to the front, the phone boasts a 6.52-inch SuperAMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340). With a 120Hz refresh rate, this display delivers an ultra-smooth experience, whether you're scrolling through social media, playing games, or watching videos. The color contrast is vibrant, and the overall brightness is impressive, making this one of the best displays in its class for content consumption. For gaming enthusiasts, the 120Hz refresh rate enhances fluid gameplay, with a panel that’s equally adept at delivering vibrant visuals. Added protection comes in the form of Gorilla Glass Victus, further ensuring the phone can withstand daily wear and tear.

Performance and Power: Exynos 1580 Processor

The heart of the Galaxy A56 5G is its Exynos 1580 chipset, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. Samsung’s focus on enhancing performance is evident, especially when it comes to demanding tasks like AI processing, photo/video editing, and gaming. While the Exynos 1580 may not be the fastest processor in the segment, it does offer a smooth and responsive experience for everyday use.

During testing, I found the A56 5G to be consistently snappy with near-zero lag, whether I was switching between apps, browsing the web, or multitasking. However, when pushed to its limits with heavy gaming or resource-intensive apps, some stutter was occasionally noticeable, but it was never a dealbreaker. For most users, the A56 5G’s performance is more than adequate, handling daily tasks and occasional gaming with ease.

In terms of gaming, the A56 5G delivered decent frame rates in titles like Call of Duty Mobile, Asphalt 9 Legends, and BGMI. However, graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact did require a resolution drop to maintain smooth performance. Lighter games, such as Subway Surfers, ran without any issues.

AI Features: Bringing Intelligence to the Mid-Range

Samsung has integrated several AI-driven features into the Galaxy A56 5G, making it stand out from other mid-range devices. Some of the key AI enhancements include Circle to Search, AI Object Removal, AI Shadow Removal, and the "Best face" feature for portrait photos. These features are practical, user-centric, and add significant value to the overall experience.

Circle to Search, which I first saw on the Galaxy S24 series, is a standout tool. With a simple press of the home button, users can circle any object on their screen, and the AI will search for it online without needing to leave the current app. This function is especially useful when you're browsing and spot something interesting that you want to learn more about instantly.

Another noteworthy AI addition is the Best face feature, which ensures that your portrait photos come out flawless by automatically fixing blurry or closed eyes. This feature works impressively well, even in group shots, providing a polished and professional result every time.

Samsung has also added custom filters for photos, allowing users to upload an image and apply its edits to a new photo, as well as an object removal tool that effortlessly removes unwanted items from your photos, including shadows and reflections. These AI features are practical and accessible, even for users who are not tech-savvy.

Software Experience: One UI 7 on Android 15

The Galaxy A56 5G runs on Samsung’s One UI 7, based on Android 15. One of Samsung's strengths has always been its software, and the A56 5G continues this tradition. The One UI 7 experience feels remarkably similar to what you'd find on Samsung's flagship devices, such as the Galaxy S25 series, with smooth animations, intuitive transitions, and an overall premium feel.

While some features, like the AI-powered Now Brief, are missing, Samsung has optimized One UI 7 for the A56 5G without sacrificing its key features. The phone also promises up to 6 years of software updates and security patches, which is an impressive offering for a mid-range device. This extended support period ensures the phone remains relevant and secure for years to come.

Camera Quality: A Triple-Camera Setup for Versatile Shots

The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G features a triple-camera setup on the rear: a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 5MP macro sensor. The main camera delivers sharp, detailed, and vibrant images, with great dynamic range and contrast. In daylight conditions, photos come out looking sharp and clear, though there's a slight saturation boost, a characteristic of Samsung’s photo processing.

In low light, the camera struggles a bit without night mode, but with it enabled, the results are impressive. The details are well preserved, and the photos retain sharpness, with noise levels kept to a minimum. The ultra-wide sensor is solid, offering good color reproduction and sharpness, though details drop slightly when compared to the main sensor.

The front-facing 12MP Super HDR selfie camera is another upgrade, offering sharp, detailed images with better skin tone accuracy, thanks to the SuperHDR support. Whether you're snapping a selfie or recording a video, the quality is more than sufficient for everyday use.

Battery Life and Charging: Long-lasting Performance

The Galaxy A56 5G is equipped with a 5000mAh battery and supports 25W fast charging. Samsung claims up to 29 hours of video playback, and in real-world usage, the phone easily lasted throughout the day with moderate use. After a full day of calls, texting, social media browsing, and some gaming, I still had about 25% battery left. This means the A56 5G should easily get you through a full day, even with heavier usage. The phone’s adaptive brightness and 5G connectivity don’t significantly impact battery life either.

For most users, the 5000mAh battery will last a day and a half on a single charge, making it a solid performer in the battery department.

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G – A Mid-Range Contender Worth Considering

The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G is a standout device in the mid-range smartphone segment, offering strong performance, solid AI features, impressive camera capabilities, and a sleek design. With its long software support and overall user-friendly experience, it’s a device that will appeal to anyone looking for a reliable, feature-packed smartphone at a reasonable price.

At its price point, the A56 5G delivers an exceptional user experience, making it a top contender for those in the market for a mid-range device. Whether you're a casual user or someone who enjoys gaming and photography, the A56 5G is more than capable of meeting your needs. If you’re looking for a solid smartphone that won’t break the bank, the Galaxy A56 5G is undoubtedly worth considering.