Samsung’s Galaxy A series has long been a cornerstone of the company’s mid-range and premium mid-range smartphone offerings, offering a balanced mix of affordability and innovation. The company recently launched the Galaxy A26, Galaxy A36, and Galaxy A56, succeeding last year’s Galaxy A25, A35, and A55 respectively. These new additions not only carry forward the A-series legacy but also introduce significant upgrades, including the debut of Samsung’s on-device “Awesome Intelligence” AI suite, enhanced hardware, and a promise of six years of OS updates.
Here is a closer look at the journey of the Galaxy A series and how these new models compare to their predecessors.
The Galaxy A series: A mid-range evolution
Since its inception, the Galaxy A series has been Samsung’s playground for delivering premium features to a broader audience without the flagship price tag. From humble beginnings with modest specs, the lineup has evolved into a competitive force, boasting Super AMOLED displays, robust cameras, and, more recently, extended software support. The A25, A35, and A55, launched in 2024, set a high bar with their vibrant displays, capable Exynos chipsets, and solid build quality. Now, the A26, A36, and A56 push the envelope further, refining design, performance, and user experience while integrating AI-driven capabilities that were once exclusive to Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S line.
Samsung Galaxy A26: Stepping up from the A25
The Galaxy A26 succeeds the A25, a phone praised for its 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display and reliable Exynos 1280 chipset. The A26 builds on this foundation with subtle yet impactful upgrades starting with the display. The screen size grows to 6.7 inches from 6.5 inches, retaining the FHD+ Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and adding a Corning Gorilla Glass layer for durability. The Exynos 1380 replaces the Exynos 1280, offering a performance boost for users. The durability aspect has also been taken care of this time. The phone comes with an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance – a new addition which was absent in the A25, making it more resilient.
- Software Support: Samsung ups the ante with six OS updates and six years of security patches, compared to the A25’s four OS upgrades.
- Camera: The triple camera setup remains consistent with a 50MP OIS main sensor, 8MP ultra-wide, and 2MP macro, paired with a 13MP front camera—unchanged from the A25 but enhanced by new AI editing tools.
- Battery: The 5,000mAh battery with 25W charging carries over, maintaining all-day power.
The Galaxy A26 is priced starting at USD 299.99 for the 6GB/128GB variant and comes in Black, White, Mint, and Peach Pink. The India pricing is yet to come.
Samsung Galaxy A36: A refined A35 experience
The Galaxy A36 follows the A35, much-loved for its 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display and Exynos 1380 chipset. The A36 refines this success recipe with few notable improvements:
- Display: The screen size increases to 6.7 inches from 6.6 inches, still featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, but now protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7+ instead of the A35’s unspecified Gorilla Glass.
- Processor: A shift to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 SoC replaces the Exynos 1380, promising improved efficiency and performance.
- Charging: Fast charging jumps from 25W to 45W, a significant upgrade for quicker top-ups on the 5,000mAh battery.
- Camera: The rear setup retains the 50MP OIS main sensor and 8MP ultra-wide but upgrades the macro lens to 5MP from 2MP. The front camera drops to 12MP from 13MP, though AI enhancements like improved Object Eraser compensate.
- Design: At 195 grams, it’s lighter than the A35’s 209 grams and comes with an IP67 rating and in-display fingerprint sensor intact.
- Software: Like its siblings, it offers Android 15-based One UI 7 with six OS updates.
Available in Awesome Lavender, Awesome Black, Awesome White, and Awesome Lime, the price of Galaxy A36 starts at Rs 32,999.
Samsung Galaxy A56: Elevating the A55 legacy
The Galaxy A56 takes over from the A55, a premium mid-ranger with a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display and Exynos 1480 chipset. The A56 introduces premium touches:
- Display: The screen grows to 6.7 inches from 6.6 inches, maintaining the 120Hz refresh rate and upgrading to Corning Gorilla Glass 7+ protection.
- Processor: The Exynos 1580 replaces the Exynos 1480, delivering a performance edge for demanding tasks.
- Charging: Fast charging rises to 45W from the A55’s 25W, paired with the same 5,000mAh battery.
- Camera: The rear features a 50MP OIS main sensor, 12MP ultra-wide, up from 8MP, and 5MP macro, while the front camera shifts to 12MP from 32MP- potentially optimised for better low-light performance with AI tools.
- Design: It’s slimmer and lighter at 198 grams versus the A55’s 213 grams, retaining the IP67 rating and in-display fingerprint sensor.
- Software: Android 15-based One UI 7 with six OS updates ensures long-term relevance.
Priced at Rs 41,999 for the 8GB/128GB variant, the A56 comes in Awesome Pink, Awesome Olive, Awesome Graphite, and Awesome Lightgray.
Awesome Intelligence: The AI boost
A standout feature across all three models is Samsung’s “Awesome Intelligence,” bringing on-device AI capabilities to the A series previously exclusive to the Galaxy S series phones. This includes an enhanced Circle to Search (now with music identification), advanced photo editing tools, and, exclusively on the A56, the Best Face feature for perfect group shots. The Galaxy A26, A36, and A56 mark a pivotal moment in the A-series journey, blending iterative upgrades with forward-thinking features like extended software support and AI integration. Compared to their predecessors, they offer larger displays, faster charging (on the A36 and A56), and refined performance, all while maintaining the A series’ reputation of being a value for money buy.
