Samsung launched just a few new units in its budget-minded Galaxy A line at Cellular World Congress in Barcelona. Say hiya to the Galaxy A26 ($299.99) and the Galaxy A36 ($399.99), which shall be out there beginning March 26 and March 28, respectively. Samsung additionally confirmed off the extra highly effective Galaxy A56 ($499.99), which is slated to reach later this yr.
Here is what it’s essential learn about Samsung’s newest reasonably priced handsets and our first ideas.
Galaxy A36 5G: Colourful and Smooth
The Galaxy A36 succeeds final yr’s glorious Galaxy A35. The general design hasn’t modified an excessive amount of, however there’s so much to put your eyes on. It measures 6.41 by 3.08 by 0.29 inches (HWD) and weighs 6.88 ounces. This telephone is taller, wider, thinner, and lighter than the A35 (6.37 by 3.07 by 0.32 inches, 7.37 ounces). From the entrance, the units look almost equivalent with the entrance dominated by the show.
Left to proper: Galaxy A36 in Superior Black, Superior White, Superior Lime, and Superior Lavender (Credit score: Iyaz Akhtar)
The A36 incorporates a 6.7-inch display screen with a decision of two,340 by 1,080 pixels, a refresh fee of 120Hz, and a peak brightness of 1,200 nits. This is similar decision and refresh fee because the A35’s 6.6-inch show however brighter than the outgoing telephone’s 1,000-nit brightness. Samsung additionally made the A36 sturdy, with an IP67 ranking for defense towards mud and water, together with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the back and front (the identical because the A35).
(Credit score: Iyaz Akhtar)
This system has a premium really feel and is well-assembled with apparent consideration to suit and end. The slim bezels across the display screen and general design staunchly evoke the Galaxy S aesthetic.
Inside, the A36 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip; the A35 makes use of Samsung’s personal Exynos 1380 processor. Each have a 5,000mAh battery, however the A36 is able to charging at as much as 45W, which is a giant bounce from the A35’s 25W max. The A36 is available in one configuration with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is similar because the A35. Samsung says the A36 has the same-sized cooling system because the $999.99 Galaxy S24+, which ought to let this system carry out at a excessive degree with out getting too scorching.
Prime to backside: Galaxy A36 in Superior Lime, Superior Lavender, Superior White, and Superior Black (Credit score: Iyaz Akhtar)
Within the US, the system is accessible in Superior Black, Superior Lavender, and Superior Lime, which is a Greatest Purchase unique. A white mannequin can also be out there, however not within the US market. The shine on the rear panel makes these colours enjoyable with an iridescent end; Superior Black is principally a mirror.
Galaxy A36 in Superior Lime (Credit score: Iyaz Akhtar)
As for cameras, the A36 has a 12MP f/2.2 front-facing digicam, which is a tad decrease decision than the A35’s 13MP selfie digicam. The A36 is able to capturing video in HDR from the entrance for the primary time. Three cameras are on the rear inside a pill-shaped digicam island, which is a minor change from the island-less A35. There is a 50MP f/1.8 fundamental shooter with optical picture stabilization, an 8MP f/2.2 ultra-wide digicam, and a 5MP f/2.4 macro digicam.
(Credit score: Iyaz Akhtar)
The A36 will ship with Android 15 together with Samsung’s One UI 7 atop it. This software program layer contains some Galaxy AI options, although not the complete suite out there to the Galaxy S25 line. It will get an enhanced model of Circle to Search that may hunt down photographs, textual content, and music. Samsung’s sensible object eraser can also be on board. It might recommend issues to delete from photographs and intelligently take away issues like associated shadows.
Samsung is difficult different telephone makers as a result of the A36 will obtain six OS upgrades and 6 years of safety patches. The A35 supplied 4 OS updates and 5 years of safety updates (which can also be a very long time within the Android world). The A36 looks like a telephone for the long term.
Galaxy A26 5G: More durable Than Ever
Galaxy A26 (Credit score: Iyaz Akhtar)
The Galaxy A26 succeeds the A25 and will get loads of delicate enhancements. The system feels nicely constructed with good consideration to element. The U-shaped digicam notch and thick bezel under the display screen are the one giveaways that it is a finances system.
The display screen is a 6.7-inch panel with a decision of two,340 by 1,080 pixels and a 120Hz refresh fee that reaches 1,200 nits (identical to the A36). The outgoing A25 has a 6.5-inch show on the similar decision and refresh fee.
Left to proper: Galaxy A26, A36 (Credit score: Iyaz Akhtar)
The Galaxy A26 is now IP67 rated, which is a gigantic enchancment over the A25, which lacked any IP ranking. The A26’s back and front glass is Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, one other improve over the A25’s Gorilla Glass 5 and plastic again. They each use a plastic body, although.
You may discover the digicam array from the A25 on the A26. Which means a 50MP fundamental shooter with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide digicam, and a 2MP macro digicam on the again, with a 13MP front-facing digicam. The rear cameras are encapsulated in a vertical capsule just like the A36.
(Credit score: Iyaz Akhtar)
Samsung upgraded the processor. The A26 makes use of an Exynos 1380, whereas the A25 makes use of the older Exynos 1280. The A26 additionally comes with Android 15 and Samsung’s One UI 7. It will get entry to all the identical methods the A36 does, with an enhanced Circle to Search, object eraser, and enhancing solutions. A 5,000mAh battery powers the system, although it expenses at a slower 25W by way of wire.
Beneficial by Our Editors
The A26 enjoys the identical assist window because the A36: that is six OS updates and 6 years of safety patches on a sub-$300 telephone.
It is a scrappy, reasonably priced telephone that may actually problem different low-cost telephones on worth.
Galaxy A56 5G: A Funds iPhone Killer?
I did not get to see the A56 in individual, however Samsung shared the mandatory particulars.
This system is much like the opposite two new Galaxy A telephones. It has the identical 6.7-inch show, an IP67 ranking, the identical glass, a 5,000mAh battery, a six-year assist window, and the identical fundamental 50MP digicam. In any other case, its imaging system features a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide digicam and a 5MP f/2.4 macro digicam on the rear, with a 12MP f/2.2 front-facing digicam.
It is slightly shorter and narrower than the A36, measuring 6.39 by 3.05 by 0.29 inches and weighing 6.98 ounces. The A56 contains 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and may cost at 45W wired. Like the opposite two units, the A56 comes with Android 15 and One UI 7 and has entry to the identical options listed above. The Galaxy A56 could possibly be an excellent competitor to the $599 Apple iPhone 16e.
We stay up for reviewing Samsung’s newest reasonably priced handsets within the weeks forward. Within the meantime, learn our Galaxy S25 Extremely evaluation to study extra about Galaxy AI.
Like What You are Studying?
This text could include promoting, offers, or affiliate hyperlinks.
By clicking the button, you verify you might be 16+ and comply with our
Phrases of Use and
Privateness Coverage.
You might unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
About Iyaz Akhtar
Cellular Analyst
Learn the newest from Iyaz Akhtar
