By Tech Spurt, Mobile Review Expert | Published March 3, 2025

Are you torn between the shiny new Samsung Galaxy A56 and its predecessor, the Galaxy A55? With midrange smartphones like the Nothing Phone 3A Pro and Google Pixel 9A on the horizon, Samsung has jumped the gun by launching the A56—a sleek upgrade over the A55. But is it worth the £499 price tag, or should you snag the discounted A55 at £364? As a mobile review expert with years of hands-on experience, I’ve compared these two devices side by side to help you decide. Let’s dive into what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and which phone deserves a spot in your pocket.

Samsung Galaxy A56 vs A55: Overview

The Galaxy A55, released last year, was a solid mid-range contender with its premium metal frame, vibrant AMOLED display, and reliable performance. Now, the Galaxy A56 builds on that foundation with a slimmer design, faster charging, and upgraded specs—plus a hefty dose of AI features. Available for pre-order from March 2, 2025, and hitting shelves on March 19, the A56 comes at a premium (£499) compared to the A55’s original £439 (now slashed to £364). So, what’s new? Let’s break it down.

Samsung Galaxy A56 vs A55: Key Differences Compared

1. Design and Build

• Galaxy A55: 6.6-inch display, Gorilla Glass Victus, metal frame, 8.2mm thick.
• Galaxy A56: Slightly larger 6.7-inch display, upgraded to Gorilla Glass Victus+, slimmer at 6.4mm.

The A56 trims the fat—literally. It’s noticeably slimmer (6.4mm vs 8.2mm) and sports thinner bezels, giving it a more modern look. Both phones feature a premium metal frame, but the A56 ups the ante with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back for better durability. Samsung also switched to a linear camera layout on the A56, ditching the A55’s separate camera islands for a cleaner aesthetic. Oh, and both are IP67 water- and dust-resistant, so no worries about a splash or two.

Winner: Galaxy A56 for its sleeker design and tougher glass.

2. Display

• Galaxy A55: 6.6-inch Full HD+ AMOLED, 120Hz, ~1000 nits.
• Galaxy A56: 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED, 120Hz, 1100 nits.

The display upgrades are subtle but welcome. The A56’s screen grows to 6.7 inches (from 6.6) and bumps brightness to 1100 nits in high-brightness mode (vs ~1000 nits on the A55). Both offer crisp Full HD+ resolution, punchy colors, and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, complete with HDR support and Samsung’s Vision Booster tech. The difference? You’ll barely notice unless you’re squinting in direct sunlight.

Winner: Galaxy A56, but it’s a close call.

3. Performance

• Galaxy A55: Exynos 1480 (5nm), 8GB RAM.
• Galaxy A56: Exynos 1580 (4nm), 8GB RAM, 15% larger vapor chamber.

Samsung sticks with its Exynos chips, upgrading to the 4nm Exynos 1580 in the A56 (vs the 5nm Exynos 1480 in the A55). Paired with a 15% larger vapor chamber, the A56 promises smoother performance, especially for gaming. The A55 occasionally stutters on high-graphic titles like Genshin’s Impact, but early impressions suggest the A56 handles Call of Duty with ease. RAM stays at 8GB for both, though, which might disappoint power users.

Winner: Galaxy A56 for the performance boost.

4. Battery and Charging

• Galaxy A55: 5000mAh, 25W charging.
• Galaxy A56: 5000mAh, 45W charging.

Battery capacity remains 5000mAh on both, offering all-day juice. The real upgrade is charging speed: the A56 jumps to 45W (up from 25W), cutting full recharge time to ~68 minutes compared to the A55’s snail-paced crawl. No wireless charging, but that’s expected in this price range.

Winner: Galaxy A56, hands down.

5. Camera

• Galaxy A55: 50MP (OIS) + 12MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro, 32MP selfie.
• Galaxy A56: 50MP (OIS) + 12MP ultra-wide + 5MP macro, 12MP selfie.

Camera hardware looks identical on paper: a 50MP primary with OIS, 12MP ultra-wide, and 5MP macro. The A56’s image signal processor (ISP) is upgraded, though, and its UI is more user-friendly (settings are now at the bottom). Selfie cams drop from 32MP to 12MP, but the A56 adds a low-light mode that could shine in dim settings—stay tuned for my full review. Video? Both are capped at 4K 30fps.

Winner: Tie—pending deeper testing.

6. Software and Updates

• Galaxy A55: Launched with Android 14, 4 years OS updates + 5 years security (now 3+4 remaining).
• Galaxy A56: Android 15 with One UI 7, 6 years OS updates + 6 years security.

The A56 ships with Android 15 and One UI 7, plus a stellar 6-year update promise (vs 4+5 on the A55). It also packs extra Galaxy AI features like Circle to Search, Auto Trim, and Best Face—some of which might trickle down to the A55 later.

Winner: Galaxy A56 for longevity and AI perks.

7. Storage and Price

• Galaxy A55: 128GB (£364) or 256GB (£414).
• Galaxy A56: 256GB standard (£499).

The A56 starts at 256GB (no 128GB option), while the A55 offers flexibility. Both support microSD expansion. At £499, the A56 is pricier than the A55’s current £364 (128GB) or £414 (256GB), narrowing the gap if you opt for the higher-tier A55.

Winner: Galaxy A55 for value.

Pros and Cons

Galaxy A55

• Pros: Cheaper, solid performance, premium build, microSD support.
• Cons: Slower charging, older chipset, shorter update window.

Galaxy A56

• Pros: Slimmer design, faster charging, better performance, longer updates.
• Cons: Higher price, no RAM upgrade, subtle camera improvements.

Samsung Galaxy A56 vs A55: Which Should You Buy?

The Galaxy A56 is a polished evolution of the A55, with a slimmer design, faster charging, and a beefier chipset—perfect for those craving the latest tech and long-term support. But at £499, it’s a tougher sell when the A55 (now £364) delivers 90% of the experience for less. If you prioritize value and don’t mind slightly slower charging, the A55 is a steal. For cutting-edge mid-range performance and future-proofing, the A56 edges ahead.

Both the Samsung Galaxy A56 and A55 are stellar mid-range picks, but your choice depends on your budget and priorities. Want my full take? Check out my upcoming in-depth A56 review—I’ll test its camera, gaming chops, and more. What do you think—Team A56 or Team A55? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to subscribe for the latest mobile reviews and tech updates!