The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G builds on the foundation of the A36 5G, offering meaningful upgrades rather than minor tweaks. Both phones share the familiar mid range design and large AMOLED screens, but the A56 is brighter, its processor runs cooler and more consistently, and charging finally feels more modern. The camera also benefits from improved low light performance. If you’re considering an upgrade or a new purchase, here’s how the two phones compare in terms of design, display, performance, camera and battery life.
Galaxy A36 5G vs Galaxy A56 5G – Build & Design
The A36 and A56 both feature a polycarbonate back with glossy finishes, simple camera rings and gently curved edges. The A56 feels slightly more refined, thanks to a brighter finish and subtle ergonomic tweaks.
The A36 is reliable, though fingerprints and minor scratches are more noticeable. The A56 improves on this with a smoother surface, giving it a subtly more premium feel. Both phones are IP67 rated for water and dust resistance, offering reassurance against splashes and rain.
While neither matches the premium feel of flagship models, the A56 represents a clear evolutionary step, with subtle refinements that enhance comfort and day to day durability.
Galaxy A36 5G vs Galaxy A56 5G – Display
The A36 features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant colours and smooth scrolling. The A56 retains the same size and refresh rate but adds a brighter panel with slightly improved colour calibration.
Outdoor visibility is where the A56 shows the most benefit. In bright sunlight, the screen is easier to read, making media, browsing and social media more enjoyable. Both devices offer deep contrast and vivid colours, but the A56 feels more comfortable for extended viewing.
Overall, the A56 provides a noticeable improvement in visibility and colour accuracy compared with the A36.
Galaxy A36 5G vs Galaxy A56 5G – Camera & Video
Both phones feature a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilisation, accompanied by ultra-wide and macro lenses. The A36 captures solid everyday photos with natural colours and decent low-light performance, though indoor shots can show some noise.
The A56 improves low-light exposure and provides better balance between highlights and shadows. Photos appear sharper and more natural, while handheld video is steadier thanks to enhanced stabilisation. Both phones record 4K video at 30fps, but the A56 delivers smoother, more consistent footage for casual content creation.
The ultra-wide and macro lenses remain secondary on both models, but the A56’s processing refinements make them more usable for everyday photography.
Galaxy A36 5G vs Galaxy A56 5G – Processor
The A36 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, delivering smooth performance for messaging, social apps, browsing and light gaming. The A56 uses the Exynos 1580, which benefits from improved efficiency and performance, allowing slightly faster app switching, more consistent performance during extended use and smoother animations.
While neither device is a high end powerhouse, the A56 feels noticeably more responsive under load, and for users upgrading from the A36, it offers meaningful improvements in real world multitasking and casual gaming.
Galaxy A36 5G vs Galaxy A56 5G – Battery Performance
Both the A36 5G and A56 5G come with a 5,000 mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use. The A56 benefits from more efficient hardware and software optimisations, often providing slightly better endurance and a more reliable second day of use compared with the A36.
Charging on both devices is up to 45W, which isn’t the fastest by modern standards but is predictable and safe. The A56 feels slightly more resilient under heavier use, making it a better choice for users who frequently watch media or spend long hours away from a charger.
Galaxy A36 5G vs Galaxy A56 5G – Storage
Both models run One UI 7 on Android 15 and benefit from Samsung’s six‑year update commitment for OS upgrades and security patches. Storage options are similar, with 128 GB or 256 GB paired with 6 GB or 8 GB of RAM (RAM/storage configurations in some regions).
The A56 enjoys small software optimisations and generally smoother app handling, thanks in part to its newer hardware and system integration. Features such as Samsung Knox security and tools like Object Eraser are included on both devices, making either a secure and practical choice for everyday use.
Galaxy A36 5G vs Galaxy A56 5G – Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G and A56 5G are both capable mid range phones, but the A56 clearly advances the series. Its brighter display, improved low light camera performance, cooler processor, refined design and smoother software handling make it a more enjoyable device overall.
The A36 remains a solid choice for users seeking a reliable phone at a lower price, but the A56 offers meaningful upgrades that enhance usability, longevity and everyday experience. Both devices provide long term software support and dependable battery life, ensuring either remains a practical choice for years to come.