Samsung unveils budget-friendly Galaxy A36, A26, and A56 smartphones with AI upgrades
The announcement of these three Galaxy A series phones follows the debut of Apple's $599 iPhone 16E, positioning Samsung as a brand that continues to provide high-value, affordable smartphones. The new Galaxy A phones ship with Android 15 and One UI 7, ensuring a smooth user experience. Samsung has committed to six years of OS and security updates, alongside advanced security features like Knox Vault and an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance.
Here's a closer look at Samsung's latest midrange offerings:
Samsung Galaxy A36: Premium Features at an Affordable Price ($400)
The Galaxy A36 5G is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor, featuring an 8.2mm thickness and weighing 196 grams. It maintains a 5,000 mAh battery but now supports 45W super-fast charging, reaching nearly 70% charge in just 30 minutes.
The phone sports a 6.7-inch display, up from 6.6 inches, with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,900-nit peak brightness. Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on both the front and back enhances durability. The device features an FHD+ resolution (2,220x1,080 pixels) for sharp visuals.
Camera upgrades include a 50MP main camera with HDR video recording, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro camera. The front camera has been adjusted from 13MP to 12MP but now supports 10-bit HDR video for improved dynamic range. Samsung's AI-powered camera features promise enhanced low-light performance and noise reduction.
AI capabilities on the A36 include Google's Circle to Search, AI-driven photo editing tools like Object Eraser and Edit Suggestion, and personalized filter creation. The phone runs on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. A larger cooling system helps optimize performance for gaming and streaming.
The Galaxy A36 will be available on March 26 in black and lavender, with an exclusive lime color at Best Buy.
Samsung Galaxy A26: Budget-Friendly Yet Feature-Rich ($300)
The Galaxy A26 improves upon its predecessor with a slimmer 7.7mm profile and a 6.5-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It features Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on both the front and back, enhancing durability while keeping a plastic frame.
Camera-wise, the A26 retains a 50MP wide camera, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, a 2MP macro camera, and a 13MP front-facing camera. AI tools like Photo Edit Suggestion and Object Eraser make their way to this model, along with Circle to Search.
Powered by the Exynos 1380 chipset, the A26 includes 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and expandable memory up to 2TB. Its 5,000 mAh battery ensures long-lasting usage.
The Galaxy A26 will be available on March 28, exclusively in black.
Samsung Galaxy A56: A Powerhouse with Advanced AI and Photography Features ($500)
The Galaxy A56 features a 6.7-inch display and a 5,000 mAh battery with 45W fast charging. Running on the Exynos 1580 chipset, it includes a larger vapor chamber for enhanced cooling, making it ideal for gaming and streaming.
The A56's camera setup consists of a 50MP wide sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro camera. The selfie camera has a 12MP sensor with 10-bit HDR support and Low Noise Mode for improved low-light photography. A unique 'Best Face' feature lets users refine group shots by selecting the best expressions for up to five people.
Other AI-powered tools include enhanced Object Eraser and custom Filter capabilities. Samsung has yet to reveal the available color options for the A56, which will launch later this year.
With the launch of the Galaxy A36, A26, and A56, Samsung continues to set the standard for feature-packed, affordable smartphones. These devices offer powerful AI-driven enhancements, durable designs, and long-term software support, making them strong competitors in the midrange market.
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