Samsung Galaxy A56 vs Galaxy A36 preview: Almost the same phone
Intro
Samsung’s upcoming mid-range offerings, the Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G, are shaping up to be strong contenders in the affordable smartphone market. While both devices share several similarities—such as a 6.64-inch display, Gorilla Glass protection, and a 5,000 mAh battery—there are key differences that set them apart.
The A56 5G is expected to feature a more premium aluminum frame, a slightly more powerful chipset, and faster 45W wired charging. It also seems to have an edge in the camera department, with a higher-resolution ultra-wide and front camera compared to the A36 5G. Meanwhile, the A36 5G is likely to stick to a plastic frame and slightly lower-end hardware, but it could still be a great option for budget-conscious buyers.
With rumors suggesting that both models may include Galaxy AI features, battery performance and overall efficiency will be worth watching. As we await their official launch in March 2025, this preliminary comparison highlights what we know so far and what to expect from Samsung’s latest mid-range lineup.
Galaxy A56 5G vs Galaxy A36 5G differences:
| Galaxy A56 | Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|
| Same size but with an aluminum frame | Lighter thanks to its plastic frame |
| 6.64" display with Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Same display |
| Exynos 1580 chipset | Slightly slower chip Either Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 OR Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 |
| Expected to have Android 15 and One UI 7 | Same: Android 15 and One UI 7 software |
| 45W wired charging | 25W wired charging |
| Expected 5,000 mAh battery | Expected 5,000 mAh battery |
Table of Contents:
Read more:
- Galaxy A36 and A56 expected features, prices, specs, and upgrades
- Samsung Galaxy A36 5G vs Galaxy A35 5G: Main differences to expect
- Samsung Galaxy A56 vs A55 vs A54: Breaking down the evolution in Samsung’s mid-range series
- Galaxy A36 and A56 expected features, prices, specs, and upgrades
Design and Size
The A36 5G might still have a plastic frame, while the A56 5G is expected to rock an aluminum one
The new Galaxy A series will mostly look similar to their predecessor with one more noticeable change: instead of having the rear cameras separated, they will be in one vertical pill-shaped island.
The more expensive A56 is also expected to come with an aluminum frame, instead of the plastic one on the Galaxy A36.
Dimensions are expected to be almost identical, coming in at about 6.34 x 3.05 x 0.32 inches.
The weight, however, will be different since the A36 and its plastic frame weigh less than the A56's aluminum one. Other than that, both are expected to have the same Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection for the display and glass back panel.
We also suspect both phones will keep the same IP67 dust and water resistance rating as earlier models.
Display Differences
Samsung is expected to slightly increase the screen size, from 6.6 inches on the previous models to 6.64 inches on the new ones. The resolution will likely stay 1080p and you will have the same 120Hz smooth refresh rate.
Our biggest hope is Samsung bumps the brightness levels. The previous A series models scored 930 nits of max brightness, which makes them a bit hard to use outdoors in bright sunlight.
Leaked images show relatively slim bezels for the A56 5G and A36 5G, but you still have the slightly larger "chin" on both models.
Performance and Software
Where the A56 will certainly be ahead
Performance is where the pricier Galaxy A5x model differs from the A3x.
Early Geekbench results reveal the Galaxy A56 5G could get an Exynos 1580 chipset, while the A36 5G is rumored to have a slightly less capable processor, either a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 or Snapdragon 7s Gen 2.
The previous models, despite different chips, had comparable real-world performance, so we are curious to see if this changes with the new models.
As for memory, the leaked Geekbench listing also hints at a jump from 6GB to 8GB, although that is only for the Galaxy A56. Samsung might stick to 6GB on the A36 to keep its price down.
8GB of memory, however, is the minimum requirement for Galaxy AI, and if Samsung intends to offer its AI features for both models, it would need to bump up the RAM for both.
Speaking of AI, we see no reason why the A56 and A36 wouldn't get all of the Galaxy AI features, since the Galaxy S24 FE also comes with 8GB of memory and supports them.
As for the software update situation, our expectations are that Samsung will stick to 4 years of major Android and One UI updates for the A56 and A36, just like with the current models.
Both phones should launch with Android 15, which is good news. The new platform supports Satellite connectivity, which would be great, but keep in mind that enabling this feature requires specialized hardware and it might only arrive to the flagship models and not the A series.
Camera
Similar camera quality
Despite a new styling for the camera housing, there are no rumors about an overhaul to the camera specs.
Here are the expected cameras on both:
Galaxy A56 camera specs:
Galaxy A56 camera specs:
- Main — 50 MP resolution, f/1.8 aperture, 1/1.56" sensor size, 1.0µm pixel size, PDAF, optical image stabilization (OIS)
- Ultra-wide — 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 1/3.06", 1.12µm
- Macro — 5 MP, f/2.4
- Front — 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm, 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Galaxy A36 camera specs:
- Main — 50 MP, f/1.8, 1/1.96", PDAF, OIS
- Ultra-wide — 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 1/4.0", 1.12µm
- Macro — 5 MP, f/2.4
- Front — 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm
As you can see, the A56 5G uses a slightly bigger sensor for the main and ultra-wide cameras, and it also has a better front camera. There is no dedicated telephoto zoom lens on either one.
There are also the new chipsets to consider, which can easily affect the image quality from each camera, and introduce new video recording capabilities such as new framerates and photo/video modes.
The increase in memory and the addition of AI has an even greater potential to impact the camera experience on both the A56 and A36.
Battery Life and Charging
Possible increase in battery life
Both phones are expected to have a 5,000 mAh battery, but the A56 5G will charge significantly faster at 45W, compared to 25W on the A36 5G. However, wireless charging remains unlikely for both models.
Additionally, Samsung is not expected to include a charger in the box with the A56 5G, so buyers will need to purchase a compatible 45W charger separately.
Additionally, Samsung is not expected to include a charger in the box with the A56 5G, so buyers will need to purchase a compatible 45W charger separately.
Specs Comparison
Here's a quick overview of the expected Galaxy A56 vs Galaxy A36 specs. Keep in mind that all of these are based on rumors and our own educated guess, so take them with a grain of salt.
| Galaxy A56* | Galaxy A36* |
|---|---|
| Size: 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm, 213 g | Size: 161.7 x 78 x 8.2 mm, 209 g |
| Screen: 6.6" Super AMOLED 1080 x 2340 pixels 120Hz refresh rate | Screen: 6.6" Super AMOLED 1080 x 2340 pixels 120Hz refresh rate |
| Processor: Exynos 1580 4nm | Processor: Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 OR Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 |
| Versions: 8/128GB 8/256GB LPDDR5 memory UFS 3.1 storage | Versions: 8/128GB 8/256GB LPDDR5 memory UFS 3.1 storage |
| Cameras: 50MP main 12MP ultra 5MP macro 32MP front | Cameras: 50MP main 8MP ultra 5MP macro 13MP front |
| Battery: 5000 mAh | Battery: 5000 mAh |
| Charging: USB-C 25W wired Possible introduction of wireless charging | Charging: USB-C 25W wired No wireless |
*Expected specs
Summary
At the end of the day, the Galaxy A56 5G and A36 5G appear to be more similar than different.
The A56 5G is expected to get an aluminum frame, a marginally faster chip, a slightly better camera and fast charging, but those are not such huge differences.
The big question is whether both of these phones will support Galaxy AI, and we still don't have the answer.
Leaks are already pouring in so we should have more details before the official launch, expected in March 2025. We will be updating this article with everything new, so check back here for the latest on Samsung's new A series.
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