Samsung’s Galaxy A56 may have a significant design change

Samsung is already making headlines with its upcoming Galaxy A series, and the Galaxy A56 is at the forefront of the buzz.

Expected to continue the success of the Galaxy A55, this new phone promises significant upgrades and will aim to be the best mid-range phone you can buy when it arrives.

Here’s everything we know about the Galaxy A56 so far, including its possible release date, expected price, and rumoured specs.

When will the Samsung Galaxy A56 be released?

The Galaxy A56 is expected to be officially launched in the first quarter of 2025, with March the likely announcement month. This follows Samsung’s traditional release pattern for its Galaxy A series, with a global rollout shortly after its unveiling.

As a reminder, here is when the previous Galaxy A50 series models came out:

• Galaxy A55 – 20 March 2024
• Galaxy A54 – 15 March 2023
• Galaxy A53 – 17 March 2022
• Galaxy A52 – 17 March 2021

Samsung has been conducting network tests and other development processes for the Galaxy A56, indicating that the device is in the final stages of preparation. With the IMEI database listing and model number (SM-A566B/DS) already confirmed (as spotted by SmartPrix), the launch timeline appears to be on track for early 2025.

The Galaxy A55 has not appeared in the US, so we don’t expect the A56 to be available there either. However, we’d be happy to be proved wrong here.

How much will the Samsung Galaxy A56 cost?

While there’s no official confirmation yet, the Galaxy A56 is expected to be priced similarly to its predecessor, the Galaxy A55.

What’s more, Samsung decided to reduce the starting price of the Galaxy A55 in the UK by £10, so it may do the same this time around as well.

As a reminder, here’s what previous generations cost:

• Galaxy A55: £439
• Galaxy A54: £449/$449
• Galaxy A53: £399/$449
• Galaxy A52: £399/$499

Samsung’s pricing strategy for its mid-range devices typically focuses on balancing affordability with premium features. The Galaxy A56, equipped with a powerful new chipset and other upgrades, should be competitively priced to appeal to a wide audience.

If the phone is launched in the US, it’s possible that it will be priced at around $449.

What specs and features will the Samsung Galaxy A56 have?

The Galaxy A56 is set to receive several notable upgrades compared to the Galaxy A55. Here’s a detailed look at the rumoured specifications and features of the upcoming device.

Design

The Galaxy A56 has been revealed in CAD-based renders (via Android Headlines), showcasing several design changes and key specifications.

One of the most notable design updates is the introduction of a single, oval-shaped black camera island that houses three rear cameras and an LED flash. This marks a shift from the individual mini-islands that characterised previous models in the A5x series.

The design also features a flat frame with slight curves for comfort, while the right side of the phone includes the ‘Key Island,’ which houses the power and volume buttons, with a slight thumb anchor to improve usability.

The display seems to be flat, with a centred punch-hole for the selfie camera. While the bezels are thin, they are not uniform, as the bottom bezel appears slightly thicker.

The back panel of the device seems flat as well, with the camera island positioned in the top-left corner, noticeably protruding from the surface.

Expect a glass back with a metal frame, possibly with an IP67 or IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both front and back of the phone.

Samsung might also refine the design further by reducing bezel size and enhancing overall build quality. The phone is expected to be available in multiple colourways, similar to the Galaxy A55’s Ice Blue, Lilac, Navy, and Lemon.

Display

The Galaxy A56 will probably feature a 6.6-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display, with a 120Hz refresh rate – the same as the A55. However, this display could support HDR10+ and offer improved brightness output, compared to its predecessor, which was rated at 1000 nits.

If Samsung decides to increase the maximum brightness, it might then enhance visibility in bright outdoor conditions, a feature users will undoubtedly appreciate.

Performance

The Galaxy A56 is expected to be powered by the new Exynos 1580 chipset, which boasts a 1+3+4 core configuration. This includes one high-performance Cortex-A720 core at 2.91GHz, three Cortex-A720 cores at 2.6GHz, and four Cortex-A520 cores at 1.95GHz.

According to a Geekbench run from July (via GSMArena), this configuration should provide a significant boost in performance; making it comparable to the Snapdragon 888; a chip which powered a lot of flagship-class phones in 2021.

The Exynos 1580 will likely be paired with the Xclipse 540 GPU, based on AMD’s RDNA2 architecture, offering better graphics performance than previous generations. This combination should enable smooth gaming and multitasking experiences, along with support for advanced AI features.

The phone is likely to be available in 8/128GB and 8/256GB RAM storage options. However, a 12GB RAM variant may also be available in some countries, similar to the A55.

Cameras

While specific details about the camera setup are not confirmed, the Galaxy A56 is likely to retain the triple-camera configuration seen on its predecessor. This could include a 50Mp main sensor, a 12Mp ultrawide lens, and a 5Mp depth or macro sensor, plus a 32Mp front camera for selfies.

A recent leak from a Dutch site Galaxy Club reveals more details about the A56’s cameras, presenting both positive and negative changes.

According to the report, the main improvement is an upgraded selfie camera, expected to feature a 12Mp sensor, replacing the 32Mp front camera used in previous models since the Galaxy A51.

This new camera may even draw from the technology in Samsung’s Galaxy S flagship line, promising better quality for selfies, even though the new camera will have fewer megapixels.

However, the rest of the A56’s cameras are set to remain the same as those on the A55, with a 50Mp main camera, a 12Mp ultrawide lens, and a 5Mp macro lens.

Notably, there is no addition of a telephoto lens, so fans hoping for this feature in the A5x series will likely have to wait for future models, possibly the Galaxy A57.

Additionally, Samsung’s software enhancements, along with AI features supported by the new chipset, could further improve the camera performance.

Battery & Charging

The Galaxy A56 is expected to come with a 5000mAh battery, similar to the Galaxy A55.

While the battery capacity remains unchanged, the new Exynos 1580 chipset’s improved efficiency could result in better battery life.

According to recent news from China (via GSMArena), the Galaxy A56 has been certified in China with support for 45W wired charging.

Software

The Galaxy A56 will likely run on Android 15, with Samsung’s One UI 7.1 out of the box. This version of One UI is expected to bring several new features, including enhanced privacy controls, improved AI capabilities, and better integration with Samsung’s ecosystem of devices and services.

There are also rumours that suggest Samsung intends to offer up to six years of Android OS and security updates for its new mid-range devices, which means the Galaxy A56 could receive updates up to Android 21.

This long-term support is a strong selling point for users looking for a device that remains up-to-date and secure for years.

So that’s all we currently know about the Galaxy A56. We’ll update this article as we hear more. In the meantime, browse our recommendations of the best Android phones and the best Samsung Galaxy phones available right now.