Samsung’s Galaxy A series features the A56, A36, and A26, offering varied mid-range options at different prices. The A56 leads with the Exynos 1580 chipset, superior camera specs, and an aluminum frame, retailing at $500 in the US. The A36, powered by Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, starts at $400, while the A26, the budget model with an Exynos 1380, is priced at $300. All models boast 6.7” OLED displays, IP67 ratings, and 5,000mAh batteries. They will receive 6 years of software updates. The A56 offers a solid upgrade, while the A26 serves as a more affordable choice.
This year, the Samsung Galaxy A56, A36, and A26 showcase three unique interpretations of the mid-range smartphone concept, each with distinct price points. Below are the pricing details for Europe, India, and the US – notably, the A5x series is available in the US this time, which is quite significant.
| Galaxy A56 | Galaxy A36 | Galaxy A26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 128GB | |||
| US | $500 | $400 | – |
| EU | €480 | €380 | €300 |
| UK | – | – | – |
| IN | ₹42,000 | ₹33,000 | – |
| 256GB | |||
| US | – | – | $300 |
| EU | €530 | €450 | €370 |
| UK | £500 | £400 | £300 |
| IN | ₹45,000 | ₹36,000 | – |
It’s important to note some regional variations; for instance, India also offers 12/256GB versions of the A56 and A36, while the A26 is unavailable there altogether. Additionally, Samsung India is providing a complimentary storage upgrade during the launch period.
Now, let’s dive into the specifications of the phones. All three models are equipped with 6.7-inch OLED screens featuring 1080p+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. They share an IP67 rating and house 5,000mAh batteries. All three possess 50MP main cameras with OIS.
The Samsung Galaxy A56 stands out with its efficient Exynos 1580 chipset. It features the largest sensor in its main camera (1/1.56”) and an improved 12MP ultra-wide camera. Its display also supports HDR10+, and its brightness, along with that of the A36, surpasses that of the A26 model. Furthermore, the A56 is the only one with an aluminum frame; the other two use plastic (all three models are protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both front and back).
Samsung Galaxy A56
The Samsung Galaxy A36 is driven by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip. Our hands-on review of both the A56 and A36 includes a performance comparison between the Exynos and Snapdragon chips, if you’re interested. Meanwhile, the A36 features slower UFS 2.2 storage in place of UFS 3.1, and its ultra-wide camera has an 8MP sensor. The 12MP selfie cameras on both the A36 and A56 support 4K video recording; however, the A26’s 13MP camera does not.
Samsung Galaxy A36
The Samsung Galaxy A26 is powered primarily by the Exynos 1380 in most regions and features an even older Exynos 1280 in Latin America. On the upside, it is the only model that includes a microSD card slot. However, it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack (as do the other models), and it does not have stereo speakers. Additional downgrades include slower 25W charging (compared to the 45W fast charging on the A56 and A36), a side-mounted fingerprint reader rather than an under-display one, and a notch rather than a punch hole for the front camera.
Samsung Galaxy A26
It’s worth mentioning that the A56, A36, and A26 will be eligible for 6 OS updates and 6 years’ worth of security patches. This is superior to many flagship models and nearly matches the update support for the Galaxy S series.
Take another look at the pricing table if needed, and let’s discuss which of these three models might suit your needs best.
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is a noteworthy upgrade from its predecessor. In regions where the A55 wasn’t available, it serves as an excellent upgrade over the A35. Nonetheless, Samsung could have taken it a step further – perhaps by including a telephoto camera or enabling wireless charging? Maybe they aimed to avoid conflicting with the S24 FE. What do you think – is the A56 the perfect mid-range model for you?
The Samsung Galaxy A36 might be overshadowed by its A5x sibling, but the $100/€100 savings are certainly worth considering. Would you prefer to invest more and secure the more capable option instead?
The Samsung Galaxy A26 is clearly aimed at the budget-conscious buyer. It provides a modest upgrade over the A25 and acts as a sort of refreshed A35 with longer software support. Is the A26 appealing to you?