My Galaxy A56 gets warm faster than my cup of tea, and that’s not cool

After spending a week with the Samsung Galaxy A56, I’m still putting together my full review. But I already have some thoughts. And not all of them are pleasant. This phone, while sleek and modern, seems to have a little too much heat for my liking. Literally.

Let’s start with the obvious: it gets warm real quick. I’m not talking about pushing the phone to its limits with gaming or editing 4K video. I’m talking about basic stuff like scrolling through X (formerly Twitter), jumping into Spaces, or simply catching up on memes and morning chaos on Instagram.

After about 30 minutes, the top end of the back panel starts feeling noticeably warm. It’s not unbearable, but it’s definitely not the kind of cozy warmth you’d want from a gadget in your hands. What’s worse is that the front panel gets warm too, especially near the same top area where you place your ear when receiving calls. The rest of the phone, from the midsection down, stays reasonably cool. But by that point, you already know something’s cooking.

At first, I brushed it off as the usual post-setup adjustment period. You know, that phase where a new phone is syncing everything and doing its behind-the-scenes magic. But a week later, the Galaxy A56 still thinks it’s auditioning to be a hand warmer.

Then came the hotspot test. I had to tether my laptop for a bit, and that’s when things got even toastier. Sure, I get it, hotspotting is power-hungry and naturally warms up most phones. But this one heats up faster than I’d expect. I don’t want to feel like I’m holding a mini frying pan just because I’m sharing internet with a friend.

Now, I have a theory. The build materials might be part of the problem. The Galaxy A56 has that premium feel with aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the back and front, but that also means heat doesn’t just stay inside. It travels. A glass back usually takes longer to feel hot, but once it does, it holds onto that heat for quite a while. So even after you put the phone down, it takes its sweet time cooling off.

Interestingly, I’m not alone in this. I’ve seen a few Galaxy A56 and even A36 users online complaining about the same thing. So, it’s not just my unit. Maybe this will get fixed with a software update — my phone’s still running One UI 7 (Android 15). Perhaps the upcoming One UI 8 update based on Android 16 will bring some thermal relief. Until then, it’s a game of “how long before it warms up this time?”

And while we’re here, let’s talk about another thing that’s been bugging me: the slipperiness. The Galaxy A56 looks and feels premium, no doubt. But between the glass back and the flat, boxy design, it’s a certified slip hazard. You can’t just casually hold it while multitasking with your other hand, unless you trust your grip as much as a tightrope walker trusts their balance.

So here’s my unsolicited advice: get a case. Immediately. Even a cheap one. Because the phone may be hot, but watching it slide out of your hand will make your heart race for all the wrong reasons.

All said, the Galaxy A56 is off to a mixed start for me. It’s undeniably good-looking, snappy in performance, and well-built. But the heat management and slipperiness are hard to ignore, especially when you’re paying for what’s supposed to be a refined midrange experience.