[REVIEW] Samsung A56 5G — Premium Features At A Budget, But Does It Hold Up?

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However, Samsung is pushing the boundaries of mid-range phones with its new Galaxy A56 5G. This device boasts plenty of advanced features, including AI capabilities typically reserved for pricier, top-of-the-line smartphones. Essentially, Samsung is bringing flagship-level technology to a more affordable price point.

SAYS was fortunate to spend some time with Samsung's latest model and experience its features first-hand.

The Galaxy A56 5G boasts a clean, elegant design with a sturdy metal frame and durable Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. It also offers IP67 dust and water resistance, adding to its overall robustness.

Holding the phone, you'll immediately notice its premium feel and excellent construction. The side buttons are positioned high on the right edge, providing a comfortable grip and minimising accidental button presses. All the slots and card trays are positioned on the bottom edge of the phone, allowing the sides to maintain a seamless, brushed aluminium finish.

The phone sports a large 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. This screen delivers sharp, vibrant visuals and can reach up to 1200 nits of brightness with Vision Booster, ensuring comfortable viewing even in bright outdoor conditions.

The Galaxy A56 5G is powered by the Exynos 1580 octa-core processor and features a built-in cooling system, designed to handle multitasking, video streaming, and demanding games smoothly. The phone runs on Android 15, enhanced by Samsung's latest One UI 7 interface, which provides a modern look and easy access to all the device's features.

This is the same operating system found in Samsung's premium Galaxy S series phones.

The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G includes a 5,000 mAh battery, which easily provides enough power for a full day of typical use. In our experience, the phone comfortably lasted a day on a single charge.

However, the charging speed isn't the quickest. While it supports 45W fast charging, you'll need to purchase a charger separately, as it's not included in the box. A complete charge with a 65W charger takes about an hour, which is acceptable, but some rival phones offer faster charging times.

The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G comes equipped with a triple-lens rear camera system: a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. For selfies, there's a 12MP front-facing camera. Samsung has also incorporated AI enhancements into the camera system, which helps produce balanced and lively photos in various lighting situations.

In bright daylight, the 50MP main camera captures sharp, detailed images with accurate colours and a wide dynamic range. Samsung's image processing ensures that colours look natural, avoiding excessive over-sharpening. The camera also handles challenging lighting well, balancing highlights and shadows to preserve detail and reduce overexposure.

The 12MP ultra-wide lens is great for capturing expansive landscapes and group shots, and maintains consistent colour with the main camera. It also effectively corrects distortion, keeping straight lines looking natural. The 5MP macro lens allows for detailed close-up photography.

In low-light conditions, Night Mode significantly improves brightness and reduces noise, preserving image clarity and depth. The 12MP selfie camera captures accurate skin tones and sharp details, with HDR optimisation for balanced exposure, even against bright backgrounds. AI-powered features subtly enhance facial details without making them look artificial.

Samsung has also included AI-driven tools like Object Eraser and Remaster, which allow users to easily remove unwanted objects from photos and improve image clarity with just a few taps. These smart features make the camera system both powerful and easy to use, enabling users to capture great photos with minimal effort.

While not as comprehensive as the Galaxy AI in Samsung's flagship models, it still offers a range of practical features. One notable addition is Circle to Search with Google, enabling users to quickly search for anything displayed on their screen by simply circling it.

The phone also includes advanced photo editing tools, such as Object Eraser, which allows for the removal of unwanted subjects from images.

The Motion Photos feature simplifies group photography by capturing a burst of images and allowing users to select their favourite facial expressions. For video enthusiasts, creating highlight reels for social media sharing is streamlined with built-in video editing tools.

This integration of AI functionalities enhances the user experience, making the Galaxy A56 5G a compelling option in the mid-range smartphone market.

The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G is a standout mid-range phone that delivers a premium experience without the premium price tag. It's a well-made, feature-rich device that offers exceptional value. If you're in the market for a high-quality mid-tier smartphone, the Galaxy A56 5G is definitely worth considering.

The A56 5G is currently priced at RM1,999. You can get the Samsung A56 5G from the official Samsung online store, where you can receive up to RM429 worth of rewards, or from your nearest authorised Samsung dealer.