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Samsung's US mid-range product launch ‘strategy' is making my blood boil
Samsung's US mid-range product launch ‘strategy' is making my blood boil

Phone Arena

timea day ago

  • Phone Arena

Samsung's US mid-range product launch ‘strategy' is making my blood boil

The world's top smartphone vendor is selling a new mid-range device in one of the world's biggest smartphone markets (as well as one of the most populous nations out there) starting at the reasonable price of $499.99. That sounds like a huge story... very few of you paid much attention to late last week for a number of pretty obvious reasons. The fault lies almost entirely with Samsung, which inexplicably delayed the US release of the Galaxy A56 5G and perhaps even more curiously "forgot" to build buzz around the handset's long overdue regional commercial debut. But this is actually far from the first mid-end phone the company has bafflingly set up for failure right off the bat over the last few years, making me wonder if Samsung even wants to see the Galaxy A family succeed stateside. Unlocked, 128GB Storage, 8GB RAM, Exynos 1580 Processor, 6.7-Inch Super AMOLED Display with 2340 x 1080 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, IP67 Water and Dust Resistance, Android 15, 50 + 12 + 5MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 12MP Single Front-Facing Camera, 5,000mAh Battery, 45W Charging Capabilities, Two Color Options Buy at Samsung Unlocked, 128GB Storage, 8GB RAM, Exynos 1580 Processor, 6.7-Inch Super AMOLED Display with 2340 x 1080 Pixel Resolution and 120Hz Refresh Rate Technology, IP67 Water and Dust Resistance, Android 15, 50 + 12 + 5MP Triple Rear-Facing Camera System, 12MP Single Front-Facing Camera, 5,000mAh Battery, 45W Charging Capabilities, Awesome Graphite Color, $50 E-Gift Card Included Buy at BestBuy Not at all. Not at its core, at least. That 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen is pretty much all you can hope for in the mid-range segment nowadays, the 45W charging speeds are somehow higher than what the high-end Galaxy S25 supports (because why not?), and the system performance is deemed as "acceptable" in our comprehensive Samsung Galaxy A56 5G review. In short, you're looking at the kind of device no Android power user would be caught dead owning, while the vast majority of "normal", unpretentious smartphone buyers on a budget would probably get without thinking twice... at the right price. And that's where the aforementioned $499.99 tag comes in to totally ruin the A56's US value proposition. Not bad and not great, the Galaxy A56 5G should really be cheaper by now. | Image Credit -- PhoneArena" What are some other phones you can buy at that price... or less? Well, how about the OnePlus 13R with more storage, more memory, a faster processor, better cameras, bigger battery, and faster charging? Or Google's Pixel 9a with better cameras, wireless charging, and most likely, vastly superior long-term software support? Or even the Motorola Edge (2025) with an arguably prettier and somehow more robust design, as well as better cameras, more storage space, a bigger battery, faster wired charging, and wireless charging capabilities. Now here's the thing. If Samsung had released the Galaxy A56 5G in the US back in March, the phone would have had a little time to steal some of the spotlight away from its key rivals, two of which went on sale after that date. Perhaps more importantly, an earlier release would have probably created the opportunity (or rather multiple opportunities) for retailers like Amazon and Best Buy to lower that $499.99 price point by now. Instead, the best we're getting is a $50 gift card as a launch deal sweetener in both of those places, as well as a pitiful $150 trade-in offer on Samsung's official US website. And that, my friends, is how you make an unremarkable phone not just instantly forgettable, but outright disposable instead of exploiting its full budget-friendly potential. The Galaxy A51 was probably the last big hit of its kind. | Image Credit -- PhoneArena In some weird way, that made me optimistic that the company would come back stronger this year with the Galaxy A56 , but evidently, that's not the case. At least not in the US. Instead, Samsung appears to have put its mid-range portfolio on autopilot stateside, setting a navigation path that can only end in total ruin. Perhaps worse yet, the once mighty Galaxy A series doesn't seem headed for a particularly spectacular or shocking death either, but rather a slow and drawn-out demise that's likely to see many Samsung fans shrug their shoulders in indifference when it's eventually sealed and officially announced. It's almost as if the world's top smartphone vendor is sabotaging lower-cost and lower-margin devices to favor higher-end models that generate bigger profits, which may sound like a sensible business decision, but is likely to come back to haunt Samsung in the long run in terms of its market presence.

Get a Free $100 Gift Card With Your New Samsung Galaxy A56 5G Phone Today
Get a Free $100 Gift Card With Your New Samsung Galaxy A56 5G Phone Today

CNET

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • CNET

Get a Free $100 Gift Card With Your New Samsung Galaxy A56 5G Phone Today

Samsung's budget-friendly Galaxy A56 5G phone hasn't been around for long, but you can pick one up right now and get a free $100 gift card included with your order. That means that you'll pay just $500 for the phone, but effectively get it for just $400. This deal is available on the Amazon-exclusive olive color, which just so happens to be the best. But if you really want to choose one of the other colors, you can do -- you'll still get a $50 gift card if you decide to go that route. Either way, you'll get a great, relatively cheap phone, and get a freebie into the bargain. Despite its diminutive price, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is anything but. It comes with a large 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a maximum 1,900-nit brightness, so it'll look great, even outdoors. It also supports 45W fast charging for topping up its battery, and you'll get 128GB of storage as standard. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Samsung hasn't scrimped on the cameras, either. There's a main 50-megapixel camera that's joined by a 12-megapixel ultrawide shooter. Macro shots are handled by a third camera -- a 5-megapixel part. Up front, selfies are taken care of by a 12-megapixel hole-punch camera. Why this deal matters You don't always have to spend a small fortune to get a new phone these days, and this Samsung A56 deal shows that. The phone is already competitively priced, but it's even better when you can effectively slash a full $100 off the sticker price, too.

Galaxy A56 is doing so, so much better than its predecessor in Europe
Galaxy A56 is doing so, so much better than its predecessor in Europe

Phone Arena

time01-07-2025

  • Business
  • Phone Arena

Galaxy A56 is doing so, so much better than its predecessor in Europe

Samsung's Galaxy A56 has made a positive debut in Western Europe, showing signs of improvement over its predecessor, despite broader challenges for the company in the region. According to data from Counterpoint Research, sales of the Galaxy A56 during its first seven weeks on the market were 12% higher than those of the Galaxy A55 during the same period last year. This uptick stands out because Samsung's overall smartphone sales in Western Europe fell by 11% year-over-year, while the regional market declined by only 2%. In contrast, the Galaxy A55 had seen a 22% drop in sales compared to the A54, even as Samsung's total sales rose by 8% during that time. One possible explanation for the Galaxy A56 's relatively stronger start is its inclusion of Galaxy AI features, a first for Samsung's A-series. Alongside the A36 and A26, the A56 introduces more advanced software tools to the mid-tier market, aiming to make premium features more accessible. Consumers appear to have responded well to this shift, although competition in the segment remains intense. – Jan Stryjak, Associate Director with Counterpoint Research, July 2025 Despite the competitive environment, the success of devices like the Galaxy A56 highlights the growing appeal of mid-range smartphones. These phones now offer many of the same core features once limited to flagship models – high refresh rate displays, capable cameras, long battery life, and increasingly, on-device AI. For many users, especially in mature markets like Western Europe, the gap between mid-range and high-end smartphones has narrowed significantly. That's why the mid-range segment isn't just easier on the wallet – it's also where you'll find the sweet spot between price and performance, without giving up the features that actually matter day to day. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer

Samsung's Android 16 rollout is picking up speed, and not just for flagships
Samsung's Android 16 rollout is picking up speed, and not just for flagships

Phone Arena

time23-06-2025

  • Phone Arena

Samsung's Android 16 rollout is picking up speed, and not just for flagships

Android 16 Breaking ️ The FIRST One UI 8 test build for the Galaxy A56 series has been spotted on the server today#OneUI8, #GalaxyA56, #Samsung Build info: A566BXXU4BYF7/A566BOXM4BYF7/A566BXXU4BYF7 — Akhilesh Kumar (@Koram_Akhilesh) June 23, 2025 Samsung aims to avoid past delays with a faster One UI 8 rollout Android 16 wrapping up development over the summer and Samsung collaborating closely with Google, things are already moving quicker than usual. Last year's One UI 7 rollout didn't exactly win praise for speed, especially for mid-range devices. But this time around, Samsung seems determined to stay ahead of schedule. Withwrapping up development over the summer and Samsung collaborating closely with Google, things are already moving quicker than usual. This speculation comes from early firmware builds spotted on Samsung's servers, which indicate development is well underway. Evidence of this faster pace can be seen in the Galaxy A56 . Despite not being part of Galaxy S25 series devices, the A56 has shown early signs of getting Android 16 sooner than expected. Evidence of this faster pace can be seen in the. Despite not being part of Samsung's limited beta program , which is currently reserved forseries devices, the A56 has shown early signs of gettingsooner than expected. Receive the latest Samsung news Subscribe By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy What's new in One UI 8? One UI 8.0 doesn't bring a visual overhaul like its predecessor, but there are subtle design tweaks such as updated button styles in Samsung apps that refine the interface. It's more about polish than transformation this time around. Feature-wise, One UI 8 builds on Firmware development for the phone is already in motion, suggesting it could be among the first mid-range devices to get the One UI 8 update not long after it debuts on Samsung's newest UI 8.0 doesn't bring a visual overhaul like its predecessor, but there are subtle design tweaks such as updated button styles in Samsung apps that refine the interface. It's more about polish than transformation this time One UI 8 builds on Android 16 's under-the-hood improvements. It also adds Galaxy S25 exclusives that weren't available in earlier updates. These include 'Now Brief,' an AI assistant that suggests timely actions based on your habits, and support for log video recording in the camera app. One UI 8 compatibility and release in the U.S. Nearly all Samsung phones launched from 2023 onward — including the A56 — are eligible for One UI 8. Flagships will get it first, but this time, it doesn't seem like mid-rangers such as the A56 will be far behind. This latest firmware discovery also reinforces our earlier report confirming that Samsung has also revamped Samsung Internet, improved Samsung DeX display support, and made file sharing via Quick Share more all Samsung phones launched from 2023 onward — including the A56 — are eligible for One UI 8. Flagships will get it first, but this time, it doesn't seem like mid-rangers such as the A56 will be far latest firmware discovery also reinforces our earlier report confirming that Samsung is actively developing a U.S. version of the Galaxy A56, even though the phone remains missing from American store shelves three months after its global debut. The A56's expected $499 price tag and impressive specs, suggest Samsung may be spacing out its release strategically to avoid clashing with the Galaxy S24 FE Grab Surfshark VPN now at more than 50% off and with 3 extra months for free! Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer Samsung isn't focusing only on its flagship lineup when it comes to rolling out One UI 8.0. The company is already testingfirmware for the Galaxy A56 , suggesting this mid-range phone may be among the first non-flagships to receive the update.

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