Samsung has unveiled a trio of powerful new mid-range smartphones – the Galaxy A56, A36, and A26 – with a promise to redefine the budget-friendly segment. With features like 6 years of software updates, advanced AI enhancements, and high-performance hardware, these devices bring flagship-level features to more accessible price points.
Following the debut of the premium Galaxy S25 series in January, Samsung is strengthening its position in the competitive mid-range market with these new Galaxy A series phones. The new A-series phones bridges the gap between budget and premium, offering long-term software support, 5G connectivity, and durable designs at competitive prices ranging from $299 to $549. With the mid-range market heating, these phones position Samsung to compete fiercely against rivals like OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Motorola. Here’s a deep dive into the features and specs that make these A-series phones a game-changer.
Design and durability
All three models – Galaxy A56, A36, and A26 – sport a large 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display, with 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1900 nits (1200 nits in high brightness mode). Plus, with an IP67 rating, these phones can withstand dust and submersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, says the company.
Performance
The Galaxy A56 leads the pack, powered by Samsung’s homegrown Exynos 1580 chipset, paired with the AMD Xclipse 540 GPU and 8GB or 12GB RAM variants with 128GB or 256GB of storage. The camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor featuring optical image stabilisation (OIS), a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP macro lens, complemented by a 12MP front camera for sharp selfies.
The Galaxy A36 opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, built on a 6nm process, and teams it with the Adreno 710 GPU. It matches the A56’s RAM and storage options, up to 12GB and 256GB. Its camera array mirrors the A56’s, swapping the 12MP ultra-wide for an 8MP version.
For those seeking affordability, the Galaxy A26 runs on the Exynos 1380 chip with a Mali-G68 MP5 GPU. It offers 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage, expandable up to 1TB via microSD, a feature absent in its brethren. A rare 3.5mm headphone jack is also seen in the smartphone. Its cameras include a 50MP primary, 8MP ultra-wide, and 2MP macro, with a 13MP selfie shooter.
AI smarts
Running One UI 7.0 based on Android 15 out of the box, all three phones come with Samsung’s promise of 6 years of OS updates and security patches, keeping them in use until 2031. This rivals even flagship devices from competitors. Additionally, Samsung has added some advanced AI features.
Battery life and charging speeds
Each model packs a 5,000mAh battery for all day power. The A56 and A36 support 45W fast charging, while the A26 settles for 25W. Note that, like many modern smartphones, no charger is included in the box.
Pricing and colour options
The Galaxy A56 starts at $499 for 8GB/128GB, rising to $549 (approx. ₹48,000) for 8GB/256GB. Colors include Awesome Lightgray, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Olive, and Awesome Pink. The affordable Galaxy A36 is priced at $399 for 6GB/128GB and $415 for 8GB/256GB, available in Awesome Lavender, Awesome Black, Awesome White, and Awesome Lime. The price of Galaxy A26 begins at $299 for 6GB/128GB, with the 8GB/256GB version at $375. Options are Black, White, Mint, and Peach Pink. Indian pricing will be revealed on March 3, 2025, with availability details to follow.
