Samsung Galaxy A56 5G Review: Better Than Pixel 8a & Nothing Phone 2a?
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G Review: Better Than Pixel 8a & Nothing Phone 2a?
Are you looking to buy a mid-range smartphone? But confused about which phone is best in the Are you looking to buy a mid-range smartphone? But confused about which phone is best in the budget of ₹40,000 ($429.9)? Then you must shortlist Samsung Galaxy A56 5G! Samsung has taken its popular A-series to a new level in 2025 with the launch of Galaxy A56 5G which comes with premium design, flagship-level display and solid performance
Samsung offers premium build quality, a 120Hz Super AMOLED display, and up to 6 years of software updates in its Galaxy A56 which we usually see only in flagship phones. It has been priced at ₹41,999 ($429.9), which looks quite competitive considering its features.
But the question is whether the Samsung A56 phone will be able to stand up to powerful competitors like Google Pixel 8a or Nothing Phone 2a. And is it worth the money?
So let's take a look at an honest, detailed and no-nonsense review of the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G. Let's break down everything from design to camera, gaming performance, and battery life!
Samsung Galaxy A56 Specifications
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, FHD+ (2340x1080), 120Hz, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Processor | Exynos 1580 (Octa-core, 1x Cortex-A720 @ 2.9GHz) |
| GPU | Xclipse 540 |
| RAM & Storage | 8GB/128GB or 12GB/256GB |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP (OIS) + 12MP Ultra-Wide + 5MP Macro |
| Front Camera | 12MP |
| Battery & Charging | 5000mAh, 45W Fast Charging |
| Software | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Build Quality | Glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), Aluminum frame, IP67 rating |
| Samsung A56 Price: ₹41,999 | |
Samsung A56 5G : Design & Build Quality:
When you hold the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, the first thing you notice is its sleek and sophisticated design. Samsung has used Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both its front and back, which not only gives this phone a glassy premium finish but also provides protection from daily scratches and accidental drops. In this, we get an aerospace-grade aluminum frame which gives that premium feel. These are the same materials that are used in high-end flagship phones!With IP67 certification, the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G is both dust-proof and water-resistant, meaning you can use this phone in the rain without any tension. It weighs just 198 grams and has a thickness of 7.4mm. It feels slim and balanced in the hand, neither too heavy nor too light.
Colour options
- Pink
- Olive
- Graphite
- Light Gray
Galaxy A56 5G Display:
It features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED FHD+ panel that makes colours punchy and vibrant. Blacks look so deep that you will get a cinema hall feeling while watching dark scenes on Netflix.
It also comes with support for a 120Hz refresh rate that makes browsing and gaming super smooth. Even if you are playing a game like Asphalt 9, lag won't even be an issue.
And yes, outdoor readability is awesome too. 1200 nits peak brightness means the display will be perfectly visible even in sunlight. But if you want a super bright panel, the Pixel 8a's 2000 nits brightness takes the edge.
But in this we get less nits brightness as compared to Google Pixel 8a because Pixel 8a comes with a 2000 nits super bright panel while we get only 1200 nits brightness with Galaxy A56 5G. Despite this, the display of this phone is perfectly visible even in sunlight.
Galaxy A56 5G Processor:
But in gaming, titles like PUBG and COD Mobile run decent, but heating and slight frame drops are seen during extended gaming sessions, Nothing Phone 2a lags behind the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 phones, especially in heavy gaming.
Smartphone Specs Comparison
| Phone | Processor | GPU | RAM Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung A56 5G | Exynos 1580 | Xclipse 540 | LPDDR4 |
| Pixel 8a | Tensor G3 | Immortalis-G715 | LPDDR5X |
| iPhone SE 2024 | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple GPU | LPDDR5 |
Samsung A56 Phone Camera Review:
In this phone, we get a triple Rear Camera Setup
- 50MP Main Camera (OIS): which takes sharp and vibrant shots in Daylight.
- 12MP Ultra-Wide: Wide shots are good but edge distortion is slightly noticed.
- 5MP Macro: Close-up shots are ok but detail is a bit lacking.
Selfie Camera:
• 12MP Front Camera: Selfies are sharp in daylight, but Pixel 8a is better in low light.Samsung A56 vs Pixel 8a Camera:
- Night Sight of Pixel 8a performs much better in low-light photography.
- The camera of the Samsung A56 phone is quite good for day-to-day photography but the Pixel Phone is better in computational photography.
Battery Life & Charging:
In this we get a big battery of 5000mAh battery which comes with 45-watt fast charging while Pixel 8a comes with 18 watt: but we do not get wireless charging in this phone.
If you are looking for a phone that gives battery throughout the day, then the Samsung A56 5G can be considered.
Software
• One UI 7: Smooth and customizable interface• Samsung Knox Vault Security
• Promise software updates for 6 years, which is very rare in mid-range phones.
Samsung Galaxy A56 phone does not give a stock Android experience, but the customization and features of One UI are very useful.
Samsung A56 Price in India & Value for Money
• Samsung A56 price in India is ₹41,999• This price bracket offers premium design, solid display, and long-term software support
• Pixel 8a and Nothing Phone 2a may be slightly better options in camera and gaming performance if that is your focus.
User Reviews:
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G has received a lot of positive responses in the market, but in some areas, users have also raised their concerns. Let's see what real users are experiencing!Positive Feedback:
- Premium Display & Build Quality:
Also, the combination of Gorilla Glass Victus+ and aluminium frame is being called a flagship-level build by people.
- Long-Term Software Support:
Criticisms:
• Low-Light Camera Performance:
Many users have pointed out that daylight photography is strong, but the rear camera performance seems a bit underwhelming in low-light conditions. Especially when you compare it with competitors like the Pixel 8a.• Gaming Performance Under Pressure:
Gaming enthusiasts have given feedback that the experience is smooth in casual games like PUBG and COD Mobile, but frame drops are sometimes noticed in heavy games like Genshin Impact.
The Exynos 1580 chipset is efficient in normal usage but handles prolonged heavy gaming sessions better than competitors with Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 like the Nothing Phone 2a phone.
Final Thoughts from Users:
If you want a premium design, smooth display experience, and long-term reliability, the Galaxy A56 5G is impressing users.But if night photography or hardcore gaming is your priority, you should also consider some alternate options.
Samsung A56 5G Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Premium build: Gorilla Glass Victus+, IP67 rating | Exynos 1580 thoda outdated chipset |
| Excellent AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh | No wireless charging or headphone jack |
| 6 years OS updates aur Samsung Knox Vault security | Low-light camera performance average |
| 5000mAh battery with 45W fast charging | Gaming me heating issues sometimes |
Is the Samsung A56 Phone Right for You?
If you're looking for a mid-range 5G smartphone that feels premium, is reliable, and offers long-term software support, the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G is a strong option.But if you want the best camera or hardcore gaming, the Google Pixel 8a or Nothing Phone 2a are better choices.
But do you prioritize design, durability, and software support? Then the Samsung A56 phone could be a pretty good investment.