Although I had hoped to catch a glimpse of the Galaxy S25 Edge before MWC, that’s not what I saw at Samsung’s pre-show briefing last week. Instead, I was introduced to a more affordable option from the Galaxy series: the Galaxy A56. This device is set to become available later this year, with a starting price of $499 (or £499 in the UK), which is slightly lower than the Pixel 8a’s initial price. Alongside the A56, Samsung also announced the Galaxy A36 and A26, with prices starting at $399 and $299, respectively.

Many of the upgrades in the A series this year are similar to those seen in the S25. The A56 is thinner than its predecessor, measuring 7.4mm instead of 8.2mm, and it features a slightly larger 6.7-inch screen. The bezels, which were often a noticeable visual indicator of an A series device, have been further reduced on the A56.

The hardware has been refined, featuring a brushed metal frame and a subtle design tweak: a slightly protruding bump on the side where the volume and power buttons are located. When I had the chance to handle the A56 briefly, I found this design element to be pleasant. Despite the 6.7-inch size, which is larger than the 6.3-inch phones I’m used to, the A56 felt more manageable due to its asymmetrical design. (It’s possible that Samsung’s designers read my unhinged editorial on phone sides and decided to further blur the lines.)

The camera specifications are a mixed bag this year. The front of the A56 now has a lower-resolution 12-megapixel selfie camera, while the back features an upgraded 12MP ultrawide, 50MP main sensor with an f/1.8 lens and optical image stabilization. There’s also a 5MP macro lens, which might still be useful for some users.

The new cameras incorporate many of the latest upgrades found in the S25 family, including improved image signal processing for better low-light performance and various AI features like enhanced subject detection in portrait mode. According to Samsung, the A56 will better recognize sky, skin, faces, hair, and grass for improved bokeh effects.

Regarding AI-powered image editing, the A56 includes features like Object Eraser, auto trim for videos, and Create Filter, which allows you to apply the color and tone of an existing image to a different photo. You’ll also find Best Face, which lets you choose the best expression from multiple captures, provided you have motion photos enabled. While these features aren’t new to smartphones, their inclusion brings the midrange A56 closer to the Galaxy S25.

Through One UI 7, the A56 receives style enhancements and home screen improvements like the Now bar, notification panel changes, and scalable widgets in different shapes and sizes. Samsung promises six generations of OS updates (up from four on last year’s A55) and six years of security updates.

As you might have noticed, there are no significant surprises here. The 5,000mAh battery remains the same size as the A55’s, although the charging speed has been increased to 45W. Samsung claims that the device can be fully charged in just over an hour. The company has also switched to its own 4nm Exynos 1580 chip, which provides CPU boosts of around 18 percent. The hardware, once again, inches closer to the quality and premium feel typically found in Galaxy S devices.

We’re currently in the midst of midrange phone season. The Galaxy A56 will compete with the recently launched iPhone 16e, and rumors suggest that Google’s Pixel 9a may be announced soon.

The Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A26

Samsung also announced the Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G, both of which feature 6.7-inch screens that can reach a brightness of 1,200 nits and refresh at up to 120Hz. They come with One UI 7, including features like Circle To Search, which was previously available on more expensive phones. Additionally, they have triple camera systems on the rear with a 50MP main sensor, although the ultrawide setup is not as sharp as the A56’s at 8MP. Some software features, like Best Face, are exclusive to the A56, but you’ll still find the updated Object Eraser and Filters on the cheaper handsets.

Finally, while the A36 and A26 have the same IP67 rating and 5,000mAh battery as the A56, they will only come with 6GB of RAM, and the A36 uses the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor instead of the Exynos 1580 found in the A56.

Galaxy A56 price and availability

In the UK, the Galaxy A56 will be available for preorder on March 2nd and will launch on March 19th. It will come in four colors: Graphite, Olive, Pink, and Light Grey. Although we have US pricing, Samsung hasn’t provided a specific release date for the US market beyond “later this year.”