Samsung’s newest A-series mid-rangers are elevating the bar

Samsung began the yr sturdy, introducing its newest flagship {hardware} because it introduced the Galaxy S25 sequence again in January. However for as a lot we love these form of premium gadgets, it’s mid-range telephones that basically drive gross sales, and as we speak Samsung’s received its newest batch of A-series telephones to introduce.

You’ve in all probability already heard a ton about this {hardware} due to all of the leaks over the previous few months, so let’s dive proper into it and get all of the official particulars on the Galaxy A26 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A56 5G.

Samsung Galaxy A26 5G, A36 5G, and A56 5G: Launch date, value, and availability

• Samsung Galaxy A26 5G (6/128GB): $299.99
• Samsung Galaxy A36 5G (6/128GB): $399.99
• Samsung Galaxy A56 5G (8/128GB): $499.99

Samsung could also be introducing this A-series trio as we speak, however let’s get one large asterisk out of the best way first: Not all three of those reasonably priced new Galaxy telephones are arriving on the identical timetable — at the very least relying on the place you reside.

Within the US, Samsung is getting began by releasing the Galaxy A26 5G and Galaxy A36 5G. The A36 5G lands first, with gross sales formally starting on March 26. The Galaxy A26 5G is about to observe that one up a few days later, on March 28. If you happen to’re trying to stand out a little bit bit, you may wish to try the Galaxy A36 5G at Greatest Purchase, the place you’ll completely be capable to discover its Superior Lime colorway.

What in regards to the Galaxy A56 5G? Though Samsung has dedicated to bringing the telephone to the US, that’s not going to be occurring for at the very least a number of extra months. Proper now, the corporate isn’t asserting an ETA extra particular than “later this yr,” however when urgent for more information, we have been advised that we may anticipate to listen to extra about these plans someday in Q3.

Throughout the pond, the state of affairs is sort of a bit completely different. Within the UK, all three new Galaxy A fashions are set to go up on the market on March 19. Samsung additional complicates the state of affairs by providing every of those telephones in alternate storage and reminiscence configurations:

• Samsung Galaxy A26 5G (8/256GB): £299
• Samsung Galaxy A36 5G Enterprise Version (6/128GB): £359
• Samsung Galaxy A36 5G (8/256GB): £399
• Samsung Galaxy A56 5G Enterprise Version (8/128GB): £459
• Samsung Galaxy A56 5G (8/256GB): £499

Admittedly, we’d like to see that additional RAM and bonus storage equally out there within the States, however at the very least with trade charges being what they’re, Samsung’s positioned these fashions fairly a bit extra affordably for US customers.

Samsung’s not making an attempt something too controversial with any of those fashions, and whereas they’re largely iterative refreshes on the Ax5 telephones that got here earlier than them, we’re nonetheless seeing just a few essential upgrades that serve to make these funds telephones really feel that rather more premium. As an example, the A26 5G introduces a glass again and will get an IP67 ingress score, each new for Samsung at this value level.

Because of strikes like that, all three of those telephones actually really feel very related, with solely small modifications between every:

Samsung Galaxy A26 5G, A36 5G, and A56 5G: Options

Samsung received this new technology began with the Galaxy A16 5G, and for a telephone that prices solely round $200, that handset provided an expertise that felt much more premium that you simply may anticipate. With these three newest additions, Samsung’s solely making an attempt to proceed that development, and thanks to some key upgrades alongside the best way, you’ll hopefully be capable to discover a funds mannequin that exactly aligns along with your wants. Right here’s what that you must look out for:

Samsung’s a giant fan of its linear lens structure this yr, which actually simply packages all three rear cameras into one vertical bar, relatively than the discrete lenses like we like we received earlier than. All three fashions function a comparable assortment of sensors, however the A26 5G clearly takes just a few hits resulting from its cheaper price level, making do with solely a 2MP macro lens. We get an improve on the best finish for the A56 5G, which pushes its ultra-wide digital camera as much as 12MP.

Whereas the A26 5G does have a barely higher-res 13MP front-facer, the A36 5G and A56 5G swap that out for a 12MP selfie cam that provides help for 10-bit HDR.

Actually, although, the star right here is Samsung’s processing and digital camera software program. All three telephones supply options like Object Eraser for utilizing AI to shortly take away distracting and undesirable components out of your pics. You may as well outline customized filters to invent a vibe on your images that’s uniquely your individual.

The Galaxy A56 5G manages to eke forward with just a few extra unique options, including Greatest Face that will help you to get the cutest poses out of your messy group pictures, and enhanced Nightography for snapping pics with minimal illumination.

All three telephones supply a 6.7-inch FHD+ Tremendous AMOLED show, that includes a 120Hz refresh price — and a super-smooth display like that’s an improve this yr for the A26 5G.

For the A36 5G and A56 5G, Samsung can be ensuring that you may learn that display on even the sunniest days, equipping them each with panels able to 1,200 nits of their high-brightness mode. Even when the A26 5G doesn’t see that very same improve, the producer does level out that this yr its display will get to get pleasure from a newly slimmed-down bezel.

Samsung’s actually been doing a little good work in the direction of making reasonably priced telephones really feel like fashions in a better value tier, and the Galaxy A26 5G, A36 5G, and A56 5G are excellent examples of that effort. Though they function plastic frames, the usage of Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on each back and front means you received’t really be touching plastic more often than not you’re utilizing these telephones. That premium feeling is enhanced by Samsung’s efforts to slim down the {hardware} — these all measure beneath 8mm thick, whereas the final technology was above.

Very like the storage and RAM choices, the query of colours is a bit more restricted within the US. We’ve listed all of the choices out there internationally up within the specs chart you noticed above, however in the event you’re searching for a Galaxy A36 5G in America, your predominant selection is absolutely simply Superior Black or Superior Lavender — as we talked about earlier, Superior Lime goes to be a Greatest Purchase unique.

And in the event you’re looking for the Galaxy A26 5G within the US, properly…we hope you want Black. As a result of that’s all we’re getting.

Samsung has but to share which colour choices shall be out there for the US market when the Galaxy A56 5G arrives later this yr.

Battery life and charging

As soon as once more, Samsung doesn’t give us an enormous diploma of variation throughout these three telephones, and regardless of which you choose up, you’re getting a 5,000mAh battery.

The principle distinction is by way of charging velocity as a substitute of capability, as solely the Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A56 5G help 45W charging with Tremendous Quick Cost 2.0. Samsung says that on the A36 5G, which means you’ll be capable to cost the machine to 70% in beneath half an hour.

Simply remember the fact that if you wish to reap the benefits of 45W charging, you’ll want a appropriate charger and cable — Samsung isn’t together with both within the packing containers right here.

Galaxy customers all over the place are nonetheless patiently (or not) ready for his or her One UI 7 updates, which have but to go away beta and begin arriving for pre-2025 Samsung gadgets. And whereas that day is sort of definitely arising quickly, anybody choosing up the Galaxy A26 5G, A36 5G, or A56 5G received’t have to fret, with the telephones arriving geared up with Samsung’s Android 15-based platform.

Circle to Search first debuted on Samsung telephones, and the corporate has continued to function the great tool. We noticed it broaden to older A-series telephones final summer season, and it’s again for this new set with all of the newest Circle to Search enhancements, like recognizing telephone numbers and web site addresses.

As a result of that is Samsung, after all, the telephones embrace its Knox safety suite, and you’ll configure precisely what you wish to allow within the Knox Matrix dashboard.

That provides all these telephones an ideal begin, however what’s arguably much more thrilling is the long-term help Samsung is promising right here.

Whether or not you’re shopping for the lowly Galaxy A26 5G or responsibly splurging on the Galaxy A56 5G, you possibly can sit up for six main OS releases and 6 years of safety updates. For smartphones on this funds realm, that’s completely unimaginable. Simply assume: If you happen to handle to carry on to the A26 5G that complete time, you’re successfully paying beneath $50 a yr for the telephone.

Actually, there’s no unhealthy selection right here, and in the event you’re looking for a telephone on a restricted funds, Samsung’s providing some very enticing choices throughout a variety of value factors — particularly after we issue within the Galaxy A16 5G. Will you be tempted to select up the A36 5G when it lands later this month? Or are you pondering it would make sense to carry out for the A56 5G a little bit additional down the road?