Samsung Galaxy A56 Review: Rewriting the mid-budget phone rules 

Samsung’s Galaxy A56 landed in my hands a little over a week ago, and I’ve been putting it through its paces ever since. As someone who’s always on the lookout for a phone that delivers big without breaking the bank, I was eager to see if this mid-budget contender could live up to the hype. Spoiler alert: it’s not just good- it’s redefining what I expect from a phone in this price range. From its eye-popping display to a camera that’s got me rethinking my photography game, the A56 has left me impressed. Here’s my take after living with it day in and day out. 

Design: Feels like a flagship 

Picking up the Galaxy A56 for the first time, I couldn’t help but admire how premium it feels. The Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back catches the light beautifully, and the aluminum frame gives it a reassuring heft- 198 grams, to be exact. It’s like holding a mini slab of luxury, but I’ll be honest: it’s not the most pocket-friendly phone I’ve used. At 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4mm, it’s a bit of a stretch for my hands, especially when I’m juggling it one-handed while holding something in the other hand. Still, the trade-off is a bigger screen, and I’ve grown to love the immersive vibe it brings to everything from Netflix binges to late-night gaming sessions. 

What really won me over, though, is the IP67 rating. I accidentally splashed it with water while washing dishes, and it didn’t even flinch. Knowing it can handle a dunk up to a meter for 30 minutes gives me peace of mind, especially for someone as clumsy as me. It’s tough, stylish, and ready for life’s little messes. 

Display: A window to wow 

The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display is where the A56 starts flexing its muscles. I’ve been glued to this screen, whether I’m doom-scrolling Instagram, catching up on YouTube, or diving into a colorful game. The colors pop with that signature AMOLED vibrancy, deep blacks and punchy reds, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes every swipe smooth.

One sunny afternoon, I took it outside to snap some pics, and the 1900-nit peak brightness meant I could actually see what I was shooting- no squinting required. HDR10+ kicks in when I’m watching shows, making scenes look more alive with richer contrast. For a mid-budget device, this screen is a total treat. 

Battery: Goes a long way 

With a 5000mAh battery, the A56 has been a champ at keeping up with my hectic days. I’ve thrown everything at it- hours of Spotify, endless group chats, a few rounds of Candy Crush and Roblox, and even some video editing – and it still had juice left by bedtime. On one particularly busy day, it lasted from 7 a.m. to midnight with about 20% to spare. That’s the kind of reliability I crave. 

Charging it up is a breeze, too. The 45W wired fast charging had it from dead to 65% in about 30 minutes, perfect for those mornings when I forget to plug it in overnight. It hits 100% in just over an hour, which is clutch when I’m rushing out the door. No wireless charging is a bummer, sure, but I’m too hooked on the speedy plug-in power to care much. 

Camera: A good snapper

The Samsung Galaxy A56’s camera system already impressed me with its hardware, a 50 MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12 MP ultra-wide, a 5 MP macro, and a 12 MP front camera. But what really took it to the next level were the AI-powered features baked into the experience: Best Face, Object Eraser, and Photo Remaster to name a few. After a week of taking pics and playing with these tools, I can say they’re not just gimmicks—they genuinely transform how I capture and edit my shots. 

First up, Best Face became my secret weapon for group photos. I tested it at a friend’s birthday party, where getting everyone to smile at the same time felt like attempting to corral a bunch of butterflies. With Best Face, the A56’s AI snapped a burst of shots and let me pick the best expressions for each person, stitching them into one perfect frame. It’s like having a time machine for faces, someone blinked? No problem, the AI swaps in their wide-eyed moment from a split second earlier. It felt effortless and honestly saved me from

begging for retakes. The result was a vibrant, natural-looking group shot that had everyone asking, “How’d you pull that off?” 

Then there’s Object Eraser, which turned me into a photo-editing expert without needing a laptop. While walking through a mall, I snapped a great shot of an ice cream trolly, but a random trash can photobomb the frame. With Object Eraser, I brushed over it on the screen, hit “Erase,” and- it was gone. The AI filled in the gap with the related colours and patterns so seamlessly I had to double-check the original to believe it. It’s not flawless every time- complex backgrounds can trip it up, leaving a slight blur- but for quick clean-ups like removing power lines or stray passersby, it felt like magic. The processing took a few seconds, and I loved how intuitive it was straight from the Gallery app. 

Not to forget, the Photo Remaster breathed new life into my old pics. I pulled up a blurry, faded shot of myself from years ago, and with one tap, the A56 sharpened the details, boosted the colors, and made my photo look like it was taken yesterday.  The remastering happens fast, and seeing the before-and-after felt satisfying, like uncovering a hidden gem.  

It may not be perfect for super grainy images, but for most casual shots, it’s a game-changer. These AI tools didn’t just enhance the camera, they made it fun to use. Whether I was fixing a moment on the fly with Best Face, decluttering with Object Eraser, or reviving memories with Photo Remaster, the A56 played along really well. For a mid-budget phone, this level of smarts in the camera department is a standout, making every shot feel a little more polished and a lot more personal. 

Performance: Powerful show 

The Exynos 1580 chipset (4nm) powers this phone, and it’s been a zippy companion, apps launch in a snap, multitasking between Slack, Chrome, and Spotify is seamless, and even heavy games run without a stutter. I’ve been hooked on Asphalt 9, and the graphics are smooth, with no lag spiking my adrenaline in the wrong way. 

Running Android 15 with One UI 7, the software feels fresh and intuitive. Samsung’s promise of six major Android updates means this phone’s got legs – it’ll stay current well into the future. The bigger vapor chamber keeps it cool, too; even after an hour of gaming, it barely warmed up. For a mid-budget phone, this kind of performance is a steal. 

Verdict: A mid-budget star 

After a week with the Galaxy A56, I’m sold. It’s got a premium vibe, a display that’s tough to beat, a battery that doesn’t quit, and a camera that’s made me ditch my point-and-shoot. Sure, it’s a bit bulky for my taste, and I’d love wireless charging, but those hiccups feel minor next to everything it gets right. 

This phone is for anyone who wants flagship flair without the wallet-busting price- photographers, gamers, or just folks like me who need a reliable daily companion. Samsung’s Galaxy A56 isn’t just playing in the mid-budget league, it’s safe to say that it’s rewriting the rules.