Samsung’s new Galaxy A-Series want to make budget phones cool again
Here's how the new Galaxy A56, A36, and A26 stack up.
Smartphone makers seem to be in their affordable phone era.
Apple kicked things off with its idea of what "budget" means—the $599 iPhone 16e. We expect to see the Google's take (Pixel 9a) soon, perhaps at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025.
But before that happens, Samsung just dropped its response—the Galaxy A56, A36, and A26, budget-friendly phones with AI smarts minus the flagship price tag. Now, here's how all three compare.
The new Galaxy A56 is perhaps the best of the bunch
At $499, the Galaxy A56 is the standout. It packs a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate (a flex over the iPhone 16e’s 60Hz), slimmer bezels, and a glass back to make it feel premium.
Inside, Samsung’s Exynos 1580 chip powers the show, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage (business customers can get a 128GB version). It also boasts a 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging—which, fun fact, is faster than the base Galaxy S25.
Camera-wise, you get a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens (for the three people who use one). Also, the A56's selfie cam shifts to 12MP from its predecessor's (A55) 32MP but now supports HDR video for better low-light shots.
And then there’s "Awesome Intelligence"—which is basically Galaxy AI-lite. It brings features like Best Face to swap out faces in group photos in case anyone blinks—kind of like Google’s Best Take on the Pixel series—and Object Eraser.
But if $499 is pushing it, the more affordable A36 ($399) and A26 ($299) come with the same 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, 5,000mAh battery, and IP67 water resistance. However, that's where the similarities end.
The A36 gets a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, an 8MP ultrawide camera, and 50MP main camera. The A26, on the other hand, sticks with the Exynos 1380 chip (seen in last year's Galaxy A35) and ditches ultrawide entirely, keeping a 50MP main sensor and a basic 2MP macro lens. Even though the A56 and A36 support 45W fast charging, the A26 sticks with 25W. And while all models get "Awesome Intelligence," the A56 is the only one with Best Face.
So, which one should you get?
The A56 is the best pick if you want a premium budget phone with solid AI tools and faster charging. The A36 is the best middle ground at $399, while the A26 is for those who just need the basics.
But with Google’s AI-powered Pixel 8a (and 9a coming soon), the OnePlus 13R, and the iPhone 16e lurking, Samsung’s midrange lineup faces serious competition. The question is—is "Awesome Intelligence" enough to make the A-series the go-to budget pick?
We'll find out once sales kick off on March 19, 2025.
