4 min read
Samsung’s Galaxy A-series has long been a fan-favorite for those wanting a balanced smartphone without splurging on a flagship. With the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy A56, many are wondering: how much of an upgrade is it really over the Galaxy A55?
Let’s break it down — not just spec by spec, but through real-world value and experience.
Design & Build
At first glance, both the Galaxy A56 and A55 look nearly identical. But the A56 comes across as a more refined version of its predecessor. While both phones share similar footprints, the A56 shaves off a bit of weight, 15 grams lighter to be exact, and replaces the standard back glass with Gorilla Glass Victus+, offering better durability.
Dimensions & Weight:
- A56: 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm, 198g
- A55: 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm, 213g
The A56 also slightly increases the screen size to 6.7 inches, up from 6.6″, without noticeably affecting the phone’s overall size.
Display
Both phones boast AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates and identical resolution. But the A56 gets a brightness boost, reaching over 1200 nits, compared to the A55’s peak of just above 1000 nits.
- A56: 6.7″ AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080×2340, 1213 nits
- A55: 6.6″ AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080×2340, 1010 nits
In real-world use, this means better outdoor visibility on the A56, although the difference isn’t dramatic enough to influence a buying decision on display alone.
Battery Life
Both models pack a 5,000 mAh battery, but surprisingly, the older A55 manages to outlast the newer A56 in most usage scenarios.
| Task | A56 | A55 |
| Web Browsing | 12:08h | 13:27h |
| Video Playback | 12:27h | 11:40h |
| Gaming | 5:52h | 7:18h |
| Calls | 34:02h | 37:08h |
The A55’s Active Use Score is higher despite A56’s more efficient chipset.
Charging Speed
The Galaxy A56 supports 45W fast charging, a step up from the A55’s 25W. However, real-world differences are modest.
- A56: 65% in 30 minutes, 100% in 73 minutes
- A55: 55% in 30 minutes, 100% in 63 minutes
Despite the A56 charging faster early on, it’s a bit slower to top off completely. If you often plug in on the go, the A56’s quicker initial boost may be more convenient.
Speakers
Both phones offer stereo speakers, but the A55 is slightly louder in decibel tests. Still, the A56 delivers a richer audio experience, with warmer bass and less distortion at high volumes.
- A56: -26.2 LUFS (Good)
- A55: -25.7 LUFS (Very Good)
It comes down to preference: louder and flatter (A55) or warmer and deeper (A56).
Performance
This is where the A56 shines. Armed with the Exynos 1580, it significantly outperforms the A55’s Exynos 1480.
Benchmark Scores
| Test | A56 | A55 |
| AnTuTu 10 | 908,689 | 726,158 |
| Geekbench 6 | 3,899 | 3,350 |
| 3D Mark Wild Life | 1,332 | 1,024 |
Not only does the A56 have better CPU and GPU scores, but it also upgrades from UFS 2.1 to UFS 3.1 storage, meaning faster file access and app loading times.
If gaming or multitasking matters to you, the A56 is the clear winner.
Cameras
The camera setups are virtually identical on the back: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 5MP macro.
But for selfies, the A56 downgrades from a 32MP sensor on the A55 to a 12MP sensor, albeit with better color science and optimization.
Key Differences
- Main camera: Almost identical performance in all conditions
- Zoom: A56 edges ahead with slightly cleaner results
- Night photography: A55 delivers better exposure balance
- Selfies: A55 wins on detail (32MP), but A56 improves on dynamic range
So, unless you’re a selfie enthusiast, the difference is marginal.
Price & Storage Tiers
Pricing varies greatly by region:
- UK: A56 (256GB) vs. A55 (128GB) – £140 difference
- EU: Real-world difference now €20-30 only
- US: Only the A56 is available
So, depending on where you live, the upgrade may or may not feel worth it. In regions with smaller price gaps, the A56 clearly offers better value.
Final Verdict
| Feature | Winner |
| Design & Build | A56 |
| Display | A56 (slightly) |
| Battery Life | A55 |
| Charging | A56 |
| Speakers | Tie |
| Performance | A56 |
| Camera | Tie (A55 for selfies) |
| Value | Depends on region |
If you already own the Galaxy A55, you might not feel a huge difference with the A56, unless performance is your main concern. But for first-time buyers, the Galaxy A56 offers better long-term value with its refined design, faster performance, and improved charging, especially if you can find it close to the A55’s price.
In short? The Galaxy A56 is an evolution, not a revolution. But in the fast-moving world of midrange smartphones, even small improvements can go a long way.
