When Samsung unveiled their latest Galaxy A series phones in March 2025, they didn’t just release another batch of mid-range devices. They created something that bridges the gap between premium features and everyday affordability. If you’ve been wondering whether these phones are worth your hard-earned money, this guide will help you figure that out.
What You’re Actually Getting: The Real Story Behind the Specs
Let’s cut through the marketing speak. Samsung’s 2025 Galaxy A lineup includes three phones: the Galaxy A26 5G starting at $499, the Galaxy A36 5G at $549, and the Galaxy A56 5G at $699. All three became available in Australian stores on March 27, 2025.
What makes these phones special isn’t just their price points – it’s that they’re the first Galaxy A devices to include AI features, called “Awesome Intelligence,” which were previously only available on Samsung’s expensive flagship phones.
The Display That Actually Matters
All three phones come with generous 6.7-inch screens that use Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology. This isn’t just tech jargon – it means you get vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent outdoor visibility. The screens support a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and the A56 and A36 models offer up to 1,200 nits of brightness.
What does this mean for you? Scrolling through social media feels buttery smooth, and you can actually see your screen clearly even on sunny days. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything from gaming to simple scrolling feel more responsive.
AI Features That You’ll Actually Use
Here’s where things get interesting. Samsung didn’t just throw AI buzzwords around – they included practical features that solve real problems.
Circle to Search: Your New Best Friend
Ever see something in a photo and wonder what it is? Circle to Search lets you search from your phone’s screen by tapping or circling items in photos, emails, websites, and more. It’s become faster and more contextual, now recognizing phone numbers, email addresses, and URLs on your screen.
Song Search: Finally Know What That Song Is
Song Search can identify music playing nearby, on your device, or even from your own voice when you hum or sing. No more desperately trying to remember song lyrics to search for later.
Camera Magic: Object Eraser and Best Face
The camera features actually solve annoying problems. Object Eraser removes unwanted people or objects from your photos, while Best Face (available on the A56 and A36) combines multiple shots in group photos to ensure everyone looks their best.
Build Quality That Doesn’t Feel Cheap
Samsung has moved away from the glossy plastic backs of earlier A Series models in favor of aluminum construction, and this year’s devices feel even more premium. The A56 is 15 grams lighter and 0.8mm thinner than its predecessor, while the A36 dropped 14 grams.
More importantly, all phones come with IP67 water and dust resistance, meaning they can be submerged in up to one meter of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. That’s genuine peace of mind for everyday accidents.
Performance Where It Counts
Galaxy A56 5G: The Standout Performer
The A56 is powered by an Exynos 1580 chipset, offering enhanced performance compared to last year’s A series. It now comes with up to 12GB of RAM for smoother performance over time, and multitasking feels genuinely smooth rather than sluggish.
Galaxy A36 5G: The Safe Choice
If you want something good-looking and reliable – one-size-fits-most – the Galaxy A36 is a safe bet. It strikes the right balance between features and price for most people.
Galaxy A26 5G: Entry-Level Done Right
The A26 proves that “budget” doesn’t have to mean “disappointing.” While it’s the most basic of the three, it still includes the core AI features and the same quality display.
Camera System: More Than Just Megapixels
All three phones feature a 50MP main camera with ultrawide cameras (12MP on A56, 8MP on A36 and A26) and macro cameras. The front-facing cameras offer 12MP on the A56 and A36, with 13MP on the A26.
But here’s what really matters: the Galaxy A series takes the camera experience to a new level with creator-focused tools, featuring 10-bit HDR front lens recording on Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G for bright and crisp selfies.
Battery Life and Charging: No More Anxiety
While Samsung hasn’t dramatically increased battery capacity, the more efficient chipsets mean more power with less power consumption. Plus, fast-charging capabilities mean a 45-watt charger can fill the battery from empty to 50% in under 30 minutes, reaching 100% just after an hour.
Software Support: A Real Game-Changer
Here’s something that sets these phones apart from much of the competition: Samsung promises six years of operating and security updates. This means your phone will stay secure and get new features until 2031.
For business users, the Galaxy A56 5G Enterprise Edition offers seven years of security and One UI updates, three years of warranty, and a two-year product lifecycle guarantee.
The Trade-offs You Should Know About
Let’s be honest about what you’re not getting. Samsung has removed the capability for an external memory card, but has added a 256GB variant to help with photo storage. There’s no wireless charging, which some competitors offer at this price point.
The AI features, while useful, aren’t as comprehensive as what you’d get on Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S25 series. Think of it as a ‘lite’ version that’s easier for the smaller specs of the A series to process.
Pricing and Availability: What You’ll Actually Pay
The Galaxy A26 5G costs $499, the A36 5G is $549, and the A56 5G starts at $699 for 8GB/128GB, with a 256GB variant at $799. All models have been available in Australian stores since March 27, 2025.
Color Options That Actually Look Good
The A56 5G comes in Awesome Olive and Awesome Graphite, the A36 5G in Awesome Lavender and Awesome Black, while the A26 5G is available in Black. Samsung has introduced a new lilac-esque pearlescent colorway that brings the look in line with high-end Galaxy S25 models.
Who Should Buy Which Phone?
Choose the Galaxy A26 5G if: You want AI features and a great display at the lowest price point. It’s perfect for first-time smartphone users or those upgrading from much older devices.
Choose the Galaxy A36 5G if: You want the sweet spot between features and price. It’s a safe bet for most people who want something good-looking and reliable.
Choose the Galaxy A56 5G if: You care about cameras, performance, and bang-for-every-buck. It’s the standout of the series.
The Bottom Line: Are They Worth It?
Samsung’s latest Galaxy A series smartphones strengthen Samsung’s presence in the value smartphone market, offering top-tier features at more accessible prices. Channel News gave the Galaxy A56 5G a solid 4/5 rating, praising its vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display, AI-powered features, and long-term software support.
The real question isn’t whether these are good phones – they are. The question is whether they’re the right phones for you. If you want flagship features without flagship prices, and you’re willing to accept some compromises on wireless charging and expandable storage, the Galaxy A series delivers genuine value.
“The new Galaxy A series marks an important step in our mission of AI for all, by opening Galaxy’s incredible mobile AI experiences to even more people around the world,” said TM Roh from Samsung Electronics. For once, the marketing message matches the reality – these phones truly do bring premium features to everyday price points.