Samsung’s new A series phones are cheap, cheerful and actually compelling
Just because a phone is cheap, doesn’t always mean it’s bad. Samsung is back with new versions of its cheap and dependable Galaxy A Series devices to prove exactly that.
Luke Hopewell is a gadget veteran of over 10 years (and has attended multiple Apple launches to boot. If it goes beep in the night, Luke has tested it. Got a question for the author? Head to the comments, or email the author at [email protected].
What is the Samsung Galaxy A series?
The Samsung Galaxy A series is the little engine that could. It’s a low- to mid-range series of devices that has defined itself as Samsung’s cheap and cheerful workhorse.
It takes a few features here and there from the big-and-beautiful flagship Galaxy S series. And then it cuts corners where it can to reduce the price while still delivering a dependable device.
The A Series comes with bright and vibrant AMOLED displays, great battery life, cameras that don’t suck and a design that still looks premium and stylish.
There are three phones in the new line-up. There’s the very-entry-level Galaxy A26, the one-size-fits-most Galaxy A36, and the phone that I think everyone would be happy with, the Galaxy A56.
It shows that good devices aren’t getting cheap, but that cheap devices are getting really, really good.
Announced in Barcelona on Sunday, the A Series is back for 2025 with new models.
Ultimately, it’s more powerful, boasts a better camera, lasts longer before it needs charging and costs less than it did a few years ago.
Let’s get into what’s new.
What’s different?
Big, flagship phones that you see on bus shelter ads come with big, flagship price tags. The latest Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, for example, starts at an eye-watering $2149. That’s the price of a decent laptop (or my first ever car, the 1989 Toyota Corolla hatchback, what a machine).
But just because they’re top-of-the-line, doesn’t mean you need all those bells-and-whistles.
The new Galaxy A Series devices have a new design, reminiscent of the flagship S25 models.
There’s a bigger screen (sort of) thanks to smaller bezels around the front of the device. And it’s brighter. 20% brighter, in fact, which makes it easier to use in direct sunlight.
It’s thinner and lighter – if only by a little. Despite the fact that it comes with more storage now – up to 256GB on-board (but no microSD card support).
The camera is smarter, allowing you to snap photos faster than on previous A Series devices. You also get better night shots and an improved front-facing camera that takes smarter pictures thanks to HDR.
It’s tougher – wrapped with the latest, hardened Gorilla Glass Victus – dust-resistant and can sit in up to a metre of water for around 30 minutes.
It also runs the latest software (named One UI 7, as found on the S25 Ultra) – and Samsung promises to keep it fresh and updated for the next six years. Previously, you’d only get updates for three years, then five years, and now, six. It means the device itself will last longer before it gets superseded by newer models with newer software features.
Speaking of software, you also get a bunch of Samsung’s smart AI technology. You can circle something on the screen to search it; auto-edit your videos; have your phone delete people from the background of your shots and more.
It doesn’t pack in all the AI features of the flagship models, but to get any of them at all for around a third of the cost is pretty impressive.
And finally, the battery lasts longer than you think, and charges just as fast. There’s a 5000mAh battery which should keep you going all-day. If it doesn’t, though, a 45 Watt fast-charger will fill half the battery in under 30 minutes, and fill it completely in a few clicks over an hour.
The new Galaxy A56 in particular is the phone I’d probably recommend to just about anyone who needs a smartphone to be dependable and impressively capable for a fraction of the price of a flagship.
Release date
If you’re wondering when you can get your hands on the new devices, I don’t blame you. They’re really compelling, especially at the all-important lower price point.
The 2025 Samsung Galaxy A Series – including the A26, A36 and the amazing A56 – will land in Australia from 27 March 2025. The A26 starts at $499; the A36 starts at $549, and the excellent A56 starts at $699.
