Samsung Galaxy A36 vs Samsung Galaxy A56

Our verdict: On contract, the Samsung Galaxy A36 works out £60.00 cheaper overall than the Samsung Galaxy A56. If you'd rather buy outright, the Samsung Galaxy A36 starts at £269.00 SIM-free.

Screen
6.7" 6.7"
Display
Super AMOLED Super AMOLED
Resolution
1080 x 2340 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
385 385
Rear Camera
50 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Storage
128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Android 15 Android 14
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth
5.4, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight
195 grams 198 grams
Water Resistance
IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts
£13.79/mo (£29.00 upfront) £16.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£269.00 £334.99
Samsung Galaxy A36 Samsung Galaxy A36 Samsung Galaxy A56 Samsung Galaxy A56
Screen 6.7" 6.7"
Display Super AMOLED Super AMOLED
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 385 385
Rear Camera 50 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Storage 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB
OS Android 15 Android 14
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.4, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions 162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight 195 grams 198 grams
Water Resistance IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts £13.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
£16.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £269.00 £334.99
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung Galaxy A36 or Samsung Galaxy A56 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A36 is cheaper on contract at £359.96 over the life of the deal from £13.79 per month with £29.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy A36 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.7", both screens are similarly sharp at around 385 pixels per inch, and both use Super AMOLED panels.

Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy A36 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Samsung Galaxy A36 features a 50 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Samsung Galaxy A36 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Samsung Galaxy A36 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £269.00.

What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy A36 and Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Samsung Galaxy A36 is available in 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Samsung Galaxy A36 and Samsung Galaxy A56 use?

The Samsung Galaxy A36 is powered by the Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A56 uses the Exynos 1580 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy A36 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

It's a trade-off: the Samsung Galaxy A36 is lighter but the Samsung Galaxy A56 is more compact. It's 3g lighter at 195 grams, though the Samsung Galaxy A56 is actually the more compact phone at 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy A36 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

Both phones share the same water resistance rating of IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy A36 and Samsung Galaxy A56 run?

The Samsung Galaxy A36 runs Android 15 and the Samsung Galaxy A56 runs Android 14. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.