Samsung is already making headlines with its upcoming Galaxy A series, and the Galaxy A56 is at the forefront of the buzz.
Expected to continue the success of the Galaxy A55, this new phone promises significant upgrades and will aim to be the best mid-range phone you can buy when it arrives.
Here’s everything we know about the Galaxy A56 so far, including its possible release date, expected price, and rumoured specs.
When will the Samsung Galaxy A56 be released?
The Galaxy A56 is expected to be officially launched in the first quarter of 2025, with March the likely announcement month. This follows Samsung’s traditional release pattern for its Galaxy A series, with a global rollout shortly after its unveiling.
As a reminder, here is when the previous Galaxy A50 series models came out:
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Samsung has been conducting network tests and other development processes for the Galaxy A56, indicating that the device is in the final stages of preparation. The IMEI database listing and model number (SM-A566B/DS) have been confirmed (as spotted by SmartPrix).
Separately, the A56 appeared in a set of French repairability indices posted by Samsung France, where it scored 8.4, a 0.1-point drop on its predecessor (via GSMArena). It’s clear that the launch timeline appears to be on track for early 2025.
The Galaxy A55 has not appeared in the US, so we don’t expect the A56 to be available there either. However, we’d be happy to be proven wrong.
How much will the Samsung Galaxy A56 cost?
While there’s no official confirmation yet, the Galaxy A56 is expected to be priced similarly to its predecessor, the Galaxy A55.
What’s more, Samsung decided to reduce the starting price of the Galaxy A55 in the UK by £10, so it may do the same this time around as well.
As a reminder, here’s what previous generations cost:
- Galaxy A55: £439
- Galaxy A54: £449/$449
- Galaxy A53: £399/$449
- Galaxy A52: £399/$499
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Samsung’s pricing strategy for its mid-range devices typically focuses on balancing affordability with premium features. The Galaxy A56, equipped with a powerful new chipset and other upgrades, should be competitively priced to appeal to a wide audience.
If the phone is launched in the US, it’s possible that it will be priced at around $449. According to leaker Anthony from X, the phone’s expected price in the UK is £439.
What specs and features will the Samsung Galaxy A56 have?
The Galaxy A56 is set to receive several notable upgrades from the Galaxy A55. Here’s a detailed look at the rumoured specifications and features of the upcoming device.
Design
Back in November 2024, the Galaxy A56 was first revealed in CAD-based renders (via Android Headlines), showcasing several design changes and key specifications.
One of the most notable design updates is the introduction of a single, oval-shaped black camera island that houses three rear cameras and an LED flash. This marks a shift from the individual mini-islands that characterised previous models in the A5x series.
The design also features a flat frame with slight curves for comfort, while the right side of the phone includes the ‘Key Island’, which houses the power and volume buttons, with a slight thumb anchor to improve usability.
The display seems to be flat, with a centred punch-hole for the selfie camera. While the bezels are thin, they are not uniform, as the bottom bezel appears slightly thicker.
The back panel of the device seems flat as well, with the camera island positioned in the top-left corner, noticeably protruding from the surface.
Expect a glass back with a metal frame, possibly with an IP67 or IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back of the phone.
Samsung might also refine the design further by reducing bezel size and enhancing overall build quality. The phone is expected to be available in multiple colourways, similar to the Galaxy A55’s Ice Blue, Lilac, Navy, and Lemon.
The phone has been unveiled further, thanks to live images shared by China’s TENAA certification agency (via GSMArena). These images confirm earlier leaks and CAD renders (above), showcasing the device’s design.
It’s now more certain than before that the Galaxy A56 will feature a redesigned camera island, housing its three sensors in an oval arrangement similar to the Z Fold 6, with the LED flash remaining on the side, as seen on last year’s Galaxy A55. The front design closely resembles its predecessor, retaining the punch-hole cutout for the improved selfie camera.
On the right side of the device, onec again, Samsung’s ‘Key Island’ design subtly elevates the area around the power and volume buttons.
Display
The Galaxy A56 will probably feature a 6.6-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display, with a 120Hz refresh rate – the same as the A55.
However, this display could support HDR10+ and offer an improved brightness output, compared to its predecessor, which was rated at 1000 nits.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
If Samsung decides to increase the maximum brightness, it might then enhance visibility in bright outdoor conditions, a feature users will undoubtedly appreciate.
Performance
The Galaxy A56 is expected to be powered by the new Exynos 1580 chipset, which boasts a 1+3+4 core configuration. This includes one high-performance Cortex-A720 core at 2.91GHz, three Cortex-A720 cores at 2.6GHz, and four Cortex-A520 cores at 1.95GHz.
According to a Geekbench run from July (via GSMArena), this configuration should provide a significant boost in performance, making it comparable to the Snapdragon 888 – a chip which powered a lot of flagship-class phones in 2021.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The Exynos 1580 will likely be paired with the Xclipse 540 GPU, based on AMD’s RDNA2 architecture, offering better graphics performance than previous generations. This combination should enable smooth gaming and multitasking experiences, along with support for advanced AI features.
The phone is likely to be available in 8/128GB and 8/256GB RAM storage options. However, a 12GB RAM variant may also be available in some countries, similar to the A55.
The leaker Anthony also suggests the Exynos 1580, plus configurations of 8/12GB of RAM and 128/256GB of storage.
Cameras
While specific details about the camera setup are not confirmed, the Galaxy A56 is likely to retain the triple-camera configuration seen on its predecessor. This could include a 50Mp main sensor, a 12Mp ultrawide lens, and a 5Mp depth or macro sensor, plus a 32Mp front camera for selfies.
A recent leak from a Dutch site Galaxy Club reveals more details about the A56’s cameras, presenting both positive and negative changes. According to the report, the main improvement is an upgraded selfie camera, expected to feature a 12Mp sensor, replacing the 32Mp front camera used in previous models since the Galaxy A51.
This new camera may even draw from the technology in Samsung’s Galaxy S flagship line, promising better quality for selfies, even though the new camera will have fewer megapixels.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
However, the rest of the A56’s cameras are set to remain the same as those on the A55, with a 50Mp main camera, a 12Mp ultrawide lens, and a 5Mp macro lens. The X leaker Anthony confirmed this.
Notably, there is no addition of a telephoto lens, so fans hoping for this feature in the A5x series will likely have to wait for future models, possibly the Galaxy A57.
Additionally, Samsung’s software enhancements, along with AI features supported by the new chipset, could further improve the camera performance.
Battery & Charging
China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) certification confirms that the phone will include a battery rated at 4,905mAh (via MySmartPrice), although its advertised typical capacity is expected to range between 5,000-5,100mAh. Previously, the leaker Anthony also reported the same capacity.
While the battery capacity remains unchanged compared to the Galaxy A55, the new Exynos 1580 chipset’s improved efficiency could result in better battery life.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
According to recent news from China (via GSMArena), the Galaxy A56 has been certified in China with support for 45W wired charging.
The same charging speed has been also spotted in the TUV Rheinland certification database (via GizmoChina).
Software
The Galaxy A56 will likely run on Android 15, with Samsung’s One UI 7.1 out of the box. This version of One UI is expected to bring several new features, including enhanced privacy controls, improved AI capabilities, and better integration with Samsung’s ecosystem of devices and services.
There are also rumours that suggest Samsung intends to offer up to six years of Android OS and security updates for its new mid-range devices, which means the Galaxy A56 could receive updates up to Android 21.
This long-term support is a strong selling point for users looking for a device that remains up-to-date and secure for years.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
So that’s all we currently know about the Galaxy A56. We’ll update this article as we hear more. In the meantime, browse our recommendations of the best Android phones and the best Samsung Galaxy phones available right now.
