If someone tells you that a €499 phone offers "awesome intelligence," prepare yourself for two possibilities: either it's a marketing exaggeration, or the phone will actually surprise you with its AI tricks. With the new generation of Samsung Galaxy A56, A36 and A26 phones, Samsung is betting on artificial intelligence, which we already know from the more expensive S25 series, and bringing it to the masses. But - how much AI do you actually get and is it enough to make the upgrade worthwhile?
The main innovation Samsung Galaxy A56? AI image editing. If you've ever taken a group photo and noticed that at least one person blinked (always!), then the new AI feature will Samsung's A-series your savior. Best Face allows you to swap faces in a photo and choose that moment when no one looks like a zombie in the middle of a speech. Yes, Google Pixel has something similar – but now we can also get this feature in a phone for half the price.
In addition, Samsung has improved the function removal of objects, added some new filters and brought Google's Circle to Search – search the screen with a simple finger swipe. This feature appeared on some A-models last year and is becoming standard even on cheaper devices.
The most interesting news? Six years of updates. Yes, you read that right. Android 15 at release and six years of upgrades – that's longer software support than most laptops have.
Minimal changes on the outside, a little more power inside
The Galaxy A56 is slightly larger than its predecessor, the A55. The screen now measures 6.7 inches (previously 6.6), followed by the A36 with a 6.7-inch display (previously 6.6) and the A26, which has also gained a few millimeters and now has a 6.7-inch panel (previously 6.5). All three have 120Hz refresh rate, which is great for smooth browsing and gaming.
Camera? There are no major surprises. The A56 has a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro. On the front? 12MP, which is a step back from the 32MP that the A55 had.
Processor-wise? A56 is getting new Exynos 1580, while A36 insists on Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 – last year's processor. They all have 5000 mAh battery, however only A56 and A36 support 45W charging.
And another interesting thing: Samsung adds IP67 water resistance to the A26 for the first time.
Price and (un)surprises in the box
Although these are mid-range phones, prices are not so low anymore as before:
- Galaxy A56 – €499
- Galaxy A36 – €399
- Galaxy A26 – €299
They will be available in Europe from March 19, 2025, and in the USA a little later.
Of course, since it's Samsung, it's in the box less than before – there is no chargerAlthough the A56 and A36 support 45W fast charging, you will have to buy this charger separately.
Is it worth upgrading?
If you already have Galaxy A55 or A35, there are no big reasons to switch – unless you’re really tempted by more AI features or are excited about six years of updates. But if you have an older phone (A33, A53, or something similar), then the A56 or A36 bring enough improvements to make the upgrade worthwhile. makes sense.
Samsung is betting on AI, extending support and slightly enlarging screens – but at the same time, it is quietly lowering the resolution of the selfie camera and expecting you to provide your own charger.
Welcome to the future of smartphones. More AI, fewer extras in the box.
