Samsung has officially introduced the Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G, expanding its Galaxy A series lineup. For the first time, the Galaxy A series incorporates Galaxy AI, branded as Awesome Intelligence, to enhance user creativity and provide a more secure, durable, and long-lasting mobile experience.

All three models come equipped with AI-powered features such as Circle to Search, allowing users to perform instant searches directly from the screen, and Object Eraser, which improves image editing capabilities. Additionally, the smartphones offer AI-driven camera enhancements, improving image quality, low-light performance, and video recording for a better photography experience.

Galaxy A56 5G: A Powerful Upgrade with Faster Charging and AI Enhancements

The Galaxy A56 5G introduces several key upgrades, making it the first Galaxy A-series device to support 45W wired charging.

The phone features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution, a peak brightness of 1,900 nits, and Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection for enhanced durability. The device is thinner at 7.4mm, and the camera module has been refined, removing any protruding lenses for a sleek design.

Powered by the Exynos 1580 chipset, the Galaxy A56 offers a 2.9 GHz CPU, an AMD-based GPU with 2x WGP, and an NPU with 14.7 TOPS, resulting in a 37% performance improvement over the previous model, our local variant should also come with 12GB RAM and 256GB of expandable storage.

The camera system remains unchanged from last year, featuring a 50MP f/1.8 main camera, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP f/2.4 macro lens. The front camera houses a 12MP f/2.2 sensor, and AI-powered enhancements improve image processing, nighttime photography, and zoom transitions between the main and ultra-wide cameras.

Running on Android 15 with One UI 7.0, the Galaxy A56 5G offers a refreshed interface, improved customization options, and security enhancements. The 5,000mAh battery supports 45W Super Fast Charge 2.0, allowing 65% charge in 30 minutes and a full charge in 68 minutes.

Galaxy A36 5G: Performance Boost with Snapdragon 6 Gen 3

Interestingly, the Galaxy A36 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, marking a shift from Exynos and Dimensity processors used in previous generations. To enhance thermal management, Samsung has included a larger vapor chamber, similar to the one found in the Galaxy S24+.

The phone is available in a higher storage variant of 12GB RAM+256GB Storage, though it is unsure if Samsung Malaysia will make that available. The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display offers Full HD+ resolution and 1,900-nit peak brightness, identical to the A56. The front and back panels are reinforced with Gorilla Glass Victus+, while the frame is made of polycarbonate. It also retains an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.

The rear camera setup consists of a 50MP f/1.8 main camera with OIS, an 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP f/2.4 macro camera. The front camera has been upgraded to a 12MP sensor, and video HDR (10-bit up to 4K at 30fps) is now supported on both front and rear cameras.

Battery performance has also improved, with a 5,000mAh battery now supporting 45W charging, an upgrade from the 25W charging on its predecessor.

The phone charges up to 66% in 30 minutes and reaches a full charge in 68 minutes. Running on Android 15 and One UI 7, the Galaxy A36 supports six OS updates and six years of security patches. It also includes AI-driven features like Circle to Search, Object Eraser, and custom image filters.

Galaxy A26 5G: Affordable and Feature-Rich with Improved Durability

The Galaxy A26 5G offers a lower-cost alternative while retaining key features from last year’s A35. It is powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset, which was previously used in the A35. Compared to the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in the A36, the CPU performance is about 8% lower. Additionally, unlike the A36, the A26 does not feature an upgraded vapor chamber for cooling.

The phone comes with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, with an option for 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. Unlike the higher-tier A-series models, it includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage. It runs on Android 15 with One UI 7 and supports six OS updates and six years of security patches.

The 6.7-inch OLED display features a Full HD+ resolution, but instead of a punch-hole design, it has a notch for the selfie camera. The fingerprint scanner is side-mounted instead of under-display. The selfie camera remains a 13MP sensor, but it does not support video HDR.

The rear camera setup includes a 50MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens.

Samsung has made slight design refinements to the A26, reducing its thickness from 8.3mm to 7.7mm, making it sleeker and more lightweight. However, the overall weight has increased slightly to 200g. Like the A36 and A56, the A26 now carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.

Battery life remains strong with a 5,000mAh battery, but unlike the A36 and A56, the A26 is limited to 25W charging.

Availability and Colors

The Galaxy A56 5G will be available in Awesome Lightgray, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Olive, and Awesome Pink. The Galaxy A36 5G comes in Awesome Lavender, Awesome Black, Awesome White, and Awesome Lime, while the Galaxy A26 5G is offered in Black, Mint, and Peach Pink.

Samsung is promising six years of security updates and six OS updates for all three models. The Galaxy A56, A36, and A26 will go on sale in Malaysia starting 18 March 2025. However, Samsung has yet to reveal the local pricing for these models.