Samsung Galaxy A56 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G (#2, best premium) vs Samsung Galaxy A36 5G (#3): in our Budget Smartphones scoring the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G totals 8.2/10 and the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G 8/10, the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G leading on Camera Quality and Performance and the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G on Value.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Samsung Galaxy A56 5G | Samsung Galaxy A36 5G | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 | $375 |
| Display | 6.7" Super AMOLED, 2340x1080, 120Hz | 6.6" Super AMOLED, 2340x1080, 120Hz |
| Processor | Exynos 1580 (4nm) | Exynos 1380 |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB/8GB |
| Storage | 128GB | 128GB/256GB + microSD |
| Battery | 5,000mAh, 45W charging | 5,000mAh |
| Weight | 198g | 194g |
How they differ in real use
Built from our budget smartphones scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G made our Top 5 Budget Smartphones, at #2 (best premium) and #3. The most premium hardware under $500: Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides, aluminum frame, IP67, and 45W charging that no other phone here matches. It beats the A36 below on build, chipset (Exynos 1580 vs 1380), and charging speed, but the Pixel 10a's camera and update window keep it out of first place. Samsung reliability with 6 years updates, 120Hz AMOLED, Galaxy AI features subset, and IP67 at $349-399. About $150 less than the A56 buys a slower chip, plastic-backed build, and 25W charging — worthwhile savings for lighter users.
We score budget smartphones on Value (30%), Camera Quality (25%), Performance (20%), Software Support (15%) and Battery Life (10%). On that basis the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G totals 8.2 out of 10 and the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G 8. The widest gap is Value, where the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G scores 9 against 8 for the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G — features per dollar. Camera Quality also separates them: 8 for the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G versus 7 for the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display — 6.7" Super AMOLED, 2340x1080, 120Hz on the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G versus 6.6" Super AMOLED, 2340x1080, 120Hz on the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G; Processor — Exynos 1580 (4nm) on the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G versus Exynos 1380 on the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G; RAM — 8GB on the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G versus 6GB/8GB on the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G; Storage — 128GB on the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G versus 128GB/256GB + microSD on the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G; Battery — 5,000mAh, 45W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G versus 5,000mAh on the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G; Weight — 198g on the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G versus 194g on the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G.
Pricing as of July 18, 2026: $499.99 for the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G and $375 for the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G, a $124.99 difference in the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G's favor. Owners praise the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G for 45W charging fastest in Samsung's mid-range (65% in 30 min) and 6 years OS and security updates; the most common complaint is exynos 1580 trails flagship chips. Owners praise the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G for 6 years OS updates and 120Hz AMOLED display; the most common complaint is slower processor than Pixel 9a.
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
- 45W charging fastest in Samsung's mid-range (65% in 30 min)
- 6 years OS and security updates
- Gorilla Glass Victus+ front and back with aluminum frame
- 6.7" 120Hz Super AMOLED at 1,900 nits peak
- Exynos 1580 trails flagship chips
- No telephoto lens
- No microSD slot unlike Galaxy A5x predecessors
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
- 6 years OS updates
- 120Hz AMOLED display
- Galaxy AI features
- IP67 water resistance
- Slower processor than Pixel 9a
- Basic telephoto
- Slower charging
Which should you buy?
The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G is the better fit for samsung ecosystem users wanting current-gen hardware and fast charging on a budget — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Camera Quality and Performance. The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is the better fit for samsung ecosystem users and budget Android seekers, and the stronger choice if Value matters more to you than the overall score. If the $124.99 saving matters more than Value, the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is the better value. The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G is a poor fit for microSD expansion needs; the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is a poor fit for performance users.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G if
- Samsung ecosystem users wanting current-gen hardware
- Fast charging on a budget
- Durability-conscious buyers
Skip it if
- MicroSD expansion needs
- Zoom photography enthusiasts
Choose the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G if
- Samsung ecosystem users
- Budget Android seekers
- Long-term phone keepers
Skip it if
- Performance users
- Clean Android preference
Common questions
Is the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G better than the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G?
In our Budget Smartphones ranking the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G scores higher overall, 8.2 to 8, with the biggest advantage in Value. The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is stronger on Value, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G cost than the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G?
$124.99 more as of July 18, 2026: $499.99 for the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G against $375 for the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Value — 9 versus 8 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G?
The headline spec difference is Display: 6.7" Super AMOLED, 2340x1080, 120Hz on the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G versus 6.6" Super AMOLED, 2340x1080, 120Hz on the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G. In use, the gap that matters most is Value (8 vs 9 in our scoring): features per dollar.