The mid-range market in Kenya is brutal, and when you drop KES 40,000-60,000 on a smartphone, you’re not looking for a fling; you’re looking for a marriage. If you’ve been shopping for a new smartphone in Kenya lately, you’ve probably noticed that nearly every new device is “powerful,” “premium,” and “versatile,” words that barely answer the real questions people have when deciding what to spend their hard-earned money on.
So, let’s talk about the Samsung Galaxy A56 the way a real buyer would: What kind of person is this phone made for? What does it actually do well? And where might it disappoint you?
Having used the Galaxy A56 for about three weeks, I can confidently say this: the A56 is one of those mid-range phones that genuinely makes sense for the Kenyan market. It’s not perfect, but it’s a phone that understands what most Kenyans need from a long-term device.
8 reasons to buy the Galaxy A56
1. It’s built for people who plan to keep their phones for years
Most Kenyan buyers don’t upgrade phones every year. If you’re spending KES 40,000 and above, you’re likely planning to stick with it for at least three or four years. Samsung seems to know this, and that’s why the Galaxy A56 promises six years of security updates and six Android OS upgrades. That’s two years more than what the A55 offered, and better than every competitor in the same range.
This long software support gives the A56 a serious edge. It means your phone will stay up to date, secure, and compatible with new apps long after most devices in this price range have been forgotten.
2. The performance feels flagship-like for everyday users
The Galaxy A56 runs on Samsung’s Exynos 1580 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and 128/256GB of storage, a notable bump from last year’s 6GB/128GB on the base model. Samsung claims an 18% CPU boost, 17% GPU boost, and 12% NPU improvement compared to the A55.
In real use, that translates into faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and noticeably better gaming and streaming performance. You can run heavy social media apps like X, TikTok, and Instagram for hours without lag, though yes, the phone still gets warm when pushed hard. Sure, the warming issue I initially noticed on One UI 7 has improved after upgrading to One UI 8, but it hasn’t vanished completely.
Still, if you’re upgrading from something like a Galaxy A32 or an older Xiaomi, you’ll immediately feel the difference.
3. A display that shines — literally
The Galaxy A56’s 6.7-inch AMOLED panel hits 1,200 nits in High Brightness Mode and can go up to 1,900 nits peak brightness with Vision Booster. Those numbers aren’t just for spec sheets. They genuinely make the screen usable outdoors, even under direct Kenyan sunlight.
At 120Hz, scrolling feels fluid, and videos look crisp and colourful. Whether you’re streaming YouTube or editing videos for TikTok, the A56 gives you that premium visual experience without having to spend S-series money.
4. A more premium, durable design
At first glance, the Galaxy A56 doesn’t scream “mid-range.” It’s lighter (198g vs. the A55’s 213g), slimmer (7.4mm), and feels sturdier thanks to the Gorilla Glass Victus+ back panel and aluminum frame. You also get an IP67 water and dust resistance rating, which is a bit of a letdown in this price range since competitors come with IP68/IP69 rating with military standard certification in some cases. However, you might want to get a case unless you have big enough hands – because this thing is slippery. It’s also a fingerprint magnet, but this is expected with the glass back.
The linear camera module looks cleaner, and while that’s a matter of taste, the overall feel in the hand is undeniably premium. If you’re the kind of user who doesn’t slap a case on every phone, you’ll appreciate this design.
5. Faster charging — finally
Samsung finally listened and bumped up charging speeds from 25W to 45W. Realistically, this doesn’t cut your total charging time in half since the phone slows down charging speeds as it fills up to prevent heating, but it’s still a big quality-of-life improvement. You can get around 60-65% in 30 minutes, which is plenty when you need a quick top-up before heading out.
6. A reliable camera system
The Galaxy A56 camera experience is great overall. The 50MP main camera produces sharp, balanced shots with good dynamic range, and portraits are surprisingly accurate for this segment.
The 12MP ultrawide and 5MP macro lenses aren’t groundbreaking, but they’re useful for variety. The front camera, while technically downgraded to 12MP from the A55’s 32MP, has a larger sensor, and the photos tell the story with selfies looking natural, detailed, and better balanced in low light.
The phone can shoot 4K video at 30fps, with decent stabilization. It’s not for filmmakers, but for social media content creators, it’s dependable.
7. It feels made for young professionals and creators
The Galaxy A56 fits perfectly in the hands of young professionals, students, and casual creators who want a phone that performs well across everything — from work and study to photography and content creation.
If you’re the type who edits reels, shoots TikToks, or occasionally records vlogs, the A56 gives you enough power and features to do all that comfortably without spending flagship money.
8. One UI 8 offers deep customization and hidden features
Samsung’s One UI 8 deserves its own spotlight. It’s one of the most customizable Android skins you’ll find in this price range. You can force the camera to always use the 50MP mode, enable AI filters, tweak battery performance modes, use Good Lock for advanced personalization, and even fine-tune animations or edge lighting.
From lock screen shortcuts to enhanced privacy controls and subtle UI animations, One UI 8 makes the A56 feel more personal and fluid than most competitors. It’s not just about aesthetics, it’s about control and usability, especially for power users who love to tweak every detail.
4 things to tame your expectations on
A long-term relationship requires honesty, so here are the four key areas where the Galaxy A56 requires you to manage your expectations.
1. The camera isn’t a reason to upgrade from the A55
While the A56’s cameras are good, they’re not better enough to justify an upgrade from the A55. The image processing is similar, and the “downgrade” in front camera resolution doesn’t really change much in results.
If you already have the A55 and were hoping for a camera revolution, you’ll be disappointed.
2. Battery life is good, not exceptional
The Galaxy A56 packs a 5,000mAh battery, same as the A55, and you’ll comfortably get through a full day. But that’s also what most mid-range phones already do.
What’s more frustrating is Samsung’s decision to omit the charging brick from the box, as well as shipping with a USB-C to USB-C cable that forces you to go back to the shop for a compatible charging brick (unless you already own one). In Kenya, that means spending an extra KES 1,000 on a charger after already paying over KES 40,000 for the phone. It feels unnecessary, and for many, it’s a small but real inconvenience.
If long battery life is your top priority, phones like the OPPO A6 Pro or Redmi 15 with 7,000mAh batteries might serve you better.
3. Limited AI features compared to Samsung’s flagships
Yes, the Galaxy A56 does get some AI tricks including Circle to Search, Object Eraser, Read Aloud, AI Select, Auto Trim, and Best Face, but these are the “lite” versions. The real Galaxy AI magic is still reserved for the S-series and Fold devices.
If you’re curious about AI tools like live translation, transcript summaries, and advanced photo editing, this phone won’t give you that full experience. The AI features here are practical, not transformative.
4. The in-display fingerprint sensor could be better
One of the few annoyances with the A56 is its optical in-display fingerprint sensor. It’s slower and less accurate than the physical side-mounted scanners on earlier models. It requires a longer press to register, and at night, the bright scanning light can be irritating.
It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s one of those small things that remind you this isn’t a flagship.
Verdict: A thoughtful mid-ranger that gets it mostly right
The Samsung Galaxy A56 isn’t about flashy gimmicks. It’s about getting the fundamentals right for the people who matter most in this market.
It’s for people who want a reliable, long-lasting phone that performs well, looks premium, and promises peace of mind with long software support. It’s for the professional who wants a device that won’t slow down after a year, the creator who wants dependable cameras, and the everyday user who values brightness, durability, and brand trust.
Yes, it still gets a little warm, lacks a charger in the box, and misses out on some of Samsung’s best Galaxy AI magic. But it nails what actually matters: performance, longevity, and dependability.
In a world where marketing often overpromises and underdelivers, the Galaxy A56 quietly proves that good engineering and thoughtful refinement are still enough reasons to buy a phone.
