Samsung Galaxy A56 vs Galaxy A36: Which One Should You Buy?

Samsung’s 2025 Galaxy A-series refresh has introduced two very closely related smartphones: the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G. Both devices target the upper mid-range market, blending premium features with affordability. For anyone trying to decide between these two models, it’s important to understand where they are identical and where the differences lie.

This guide highlights everything you need to know, ensuring you make the right choice based on your budget, needs, and how long you want to keep your phone.

Shared Features: What the Galaxy A56 and A36 Have in Common

Despite the price gap between the A56 and A36, they share several core features. Samsung has unified the design, display, and software experience, making both devices feel modern, durable, and long-lasting.

1. Display and Size

• Both phones feature a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
• Vision Booster technology ensures better outdoor visibility.
• Peak brightness reaches 1,200 nits in High Brightness Mode (HBM), with a maximum peak of 1,900 nits — excellent for use even under direct sunlight.

2. Build and Durability

• Both devices are built with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back, ensuring better scratch and drop protection.
• Both have IP67 dust and water resistance, meaning they can survive being submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.

3. Battery and Charging

• Both phones come with a 5,000mAh battery.
• Both support 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0, with 0-65% charge achievable in 30 minutes.

4. Software Longevity

• Both devices run Android 15 with One UI 7 out of the box.
• Samsung promises 6 years of Android OS updates and 6 years of security updates, giving both phones unmatched long-term value in the mid-range segment.

5. Core AI Features

• Both phones feature Awesome Intelligence, Samsung’s AI suite that includes:
  • Circle to Search — for quick searches directly from your screen.
  • Object Eraser — for removing unwanted objects from photos.
  • Custom Filters — for creating personalized photo filters based on your existing images.

Key Differences: What Sets the Galaxy A56 Apart

While both devices share plenty of DNA, the A56 justifies its higher price with hardware upgrades, extra features, and enhanced camera capabilities. Here are the areas where the A56 stands out.

1. Processor and Performance

• Galaxy A56 uses the Exynos 1580 chipset, Samsung’s latest mid-range processor. It offers better performance with higher clock speeds, improved graphics processing (AMD-based GPU), and an NPU capable of 14.7 TOPS for faster AI processing.
• Galaxy A36 uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, which is capable but not as powerful as the Exynos 1580, particularly in AI-driven tasks and gaming.

2. Camera System

• Both phones feature a 50MP main camera with OIS and a 5MP macro camera, but the ultra-wide camera differs.
• A56 has a 12MP ultra-wide camera, which is better suited for landscape shots, while the A36 has a lower-resolution 8MP ultra-wide camera.
• Both phones support 4K 30fps video recording, but the A56 benefits from better AI enhancements, including faster seamless zoom between lenses and improved low-light processing (Low Noise Mode).

3. Selfie Camera

• A56 has a 12MP front camera, capable of HDR video recording, improved low-light performance, and AI-powered enhancements.
• A36 also has a 12MP front camera, but it lacks the Low Noise Mode and some of the AI enhancements available on the A56.

4. Best Face (Exclusive to A56)

• Best Face, a feature that allows you to swap faces in group photos to ensure everyone looks their best, is exclusive to the Galaxy A56. This is especially useful for group photos.

5. Cooling System

• The A56 has a larger vapor chamber for better heat dissipation, making it better suited for extended gaming sessions or multitasking with demanding apps.
• The A36 also has a vapor chamber, but it’s slightly smaller, meaning performance could throttle faster under sustained heavy use.

6. Design Details

• Both phones have similar dimensions and punch-hole selfie cameras, but the A56 uses a more premium aluminum frame, while the A36 uses a plastic frame.

7. Price

• The A56 is more expensive, expected to retail around KES 78,000, while the A36 is estimated at around KES 62,000.

Which One Should You Buy?

Buy the Galaxy A56 5G if:

• You want better gaming and multitasking performance.
• You need more advanced camera capabilities, especially for wide-angle shots and low-light photography.
• You value more AI enhancements, such as Best Face and advanced image processing.
• You want a more premium design with an aluminum frame and better cooling.

Buy the Galaxy A36 5G if:

• You want a phone that shares most of the key features of the A56 but at a lower price.
• You are a casual user who doesn’t need advanced low-light photography or enhanced gaming performance.
• You want great software support, strong display quality, and AI tools without paying a premium.
• You prefer the Snapdragon chipset, which might offer better app compatibility and efficiency in some cases.

Final Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G is clearly the better device, offering faster performance, superior camera hardware, enhanced AI tools, and better thermal management. It’s a better long-term investment for users who value performance and photography.

However, the Galaxy A36 5G delivers incredible value by retaining most of the core features that make the A56 attractive — great display, long-term software support, strong battery life, and core AI features — at a significantly lower price.

For budget-conscious buyers, the A36 offers plenty of value. For users willing to spend a bit more for extra performance and better photos, the A56 is the clear winner.