Samsung unveils the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36, two mid-range phones that look very similar at first glance But take a look at the specs and you’ll find some key differences that might help you decide which one is right for you. Let’s break it down.

Galaxy A56: Slightly Better Camera Mid-Range with AI Power

The Galaxy A56 is for people who like to use their phone a lot, and it’s powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1580 processor. That means browsing, watching videos, and playing games will all be a lot smoother. It’s a great choice if you want a phone that will handle multiple tasks without slowing down.

The display is a 6. 7-inch Super AMOLED screen, so expect vibrant colors and deep blacks. It has a 120Hz refresh rate, so scrolling feels silky smooth. It’s great for watching content, but the peak brightness is 1, 200 nits, so it won’t be quite as bright as some other phones when you’re outdoors.

Another big advantage you get with the A56 is the camera. It still has a 50MP main camera with OIS, but the big difference is the ultra-wide camera. The A56 has a 12MP ultra-wide lens that captures more in each shot. If you like taking landscape photos or group shots this is a nice advantage. The selfie camera is 12MP, so you’ll get sharp and clear front-facing shots too.

As for battery, you get a big 5, 000mAh battery as with the A36, and it supports 45W fast charging too, so you can get a decent amount of battery in just a few minutes. Samsung doesn’t include a charger in the box, so you’ll have to pick one up from elsewhere.

The A56 comes in three storage variants: 128GB with 8GB RAM, 256GB with 8GB RAM, and 256GB with 12GB RAM. If you’re a heavy photo, video, and app user, you’ll want to opt for the higher storage variants.

Galaxy A36: A Great Phone at a Lower Price

The Galaxy A36 is a little cheaper and doesn’t specs. Instead of Samsung’s Exynos chip, it has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor. That means it’s still fast enough for daily tasks, but you’ll want to look elsewhere if you plan to play games or do heavy multitasking.

The screen is also a 6. 7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, same as the A56. But one big difference is brightness. The A36 can hit up to 1, 900 nits of peak brightness, so it’s easier to see in bright sunlight. If you spend a lot of time outside, that could be a big advantage.

Camera-wise, you still get a 50MP main camera with OIS, but the ultra-wide camera is only 8MP compared to the A56’s 12MP – so ultra-wide shots won’t have quite as much detail. The selfie camera is also 12MP, so you’ll still get good selfies.

The battery is the same as the A56, a 5, 000mAh cell with support for 45W fast charging. Samsung again doesn’t include a charger in the box, so you’ll need to pick one up separately.

The A36 comes in three storage configurations: 128GB with 6GB RAM, 128GB with 8GB RAM, and 256GB with 8GB RAM. If you don’t need as much storage or RAM, you can save a few bucks by opting for a lower-end model.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both phones are very similar in terms of design, battery size, and main camera, but there are a few differences that make one a better choice than the other. If you’re looking for a slightly more powerful phone with a better ultra-wide camera, the A56 is the way to go. If you want a phone with a brighter display and don’t mind a lower ultra-wide camera resolution, the A36 is a great option that saves you some money.