Samsung Galaxy A56 vs A55: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

By Team Raph Ocean | May 24, 2025 | 10 min read

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The A56 (left) and A55 (right) share similar designs but have key differences

Samsung's A-series has consistently offered excellent value, but is the new Galaxy A56 worth upgrading to from the Galaxy A55? We've spent time with both devices to highlight the key differences and help you decide whether to upgrade or stick with your current phone.

Design & Build: Subtle Refinements

At first glance, the A56 and A55 look nearly identical, but there are some subtle improvements:

Feature	Galaxy A56	Galaxy A55
Dimensions	158.4 x 76.7 x 7.8mm	158.9 x 76.7 x 8.2mm
Weight	185g	189g
Materials	Glass back, aluminum frame	Glass back, aluminum frame
IP Rating	IP67	IP67
Colors	Awesome Black, White, Blue, Violet	Awesome Black, White, Blue, Green

The A56 is slightly thinner and lighter, with a new violet color option replacing the green from last year. Both share the same IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.

The design differences between generations are minimal

Display: Small but Meaningful Upgrade

Both phones feature excellent Super AMOLED displays, but the A56 has some advantages:

Feature	Galaxy A56	Galaxy A55
Size	6.4-inch	6.4-inch
Resolution	1080×2400	1080×2400
Refresh Rate	90Hz adaptive	90Hz
Brightness	1000 nits (peak)	800 nits (peak)
Protection	Gorilla Glass 5	Gorilla Glass 5

The A56's display is 25% brighter in direct sunlight and features an adaptive refresh rate that can drop below 90Hz to save battery when appropriate.

Performance: Noticeable Leap

The A56's Exynos 1480 represents a significant upgrade over the A55's Exynos 1380:

Feature	Galaxy A56	Galaxy A55
Chipset	Exynos 1480 (4nm)	Exynos 1380 (5nm)
CPU	2x2.4GHz + 6x2.0GHz	4x2.4GHz + 4x2.0GHz
GPU	Xclipse (AMD RDNA2)	Mali-G68
RAM	8GB	8GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB

Performance improvements:

25% faster CPU performance
40% faster GPU performance
Better sustained performance due to improved cooling

Samsung Galaxy A56 vs A55 Performance Benchmarks

Benchmarks show clear improvements in both CPU and GPU performance

Camera: Meaningful Upgrades

The camera system sees several important improvements:

Feature	Galaxy A56	Galaxy A55
Main Camera	64MP, f/1.8, OIS	50MP, f/1.8, OIS
Ultra-Wide	12MP, f/2.2	12MP, f/2.2
Macro	5MP, f/2.4	5MP, f/2.4
Front Camera	32MP, f/2.2	32MP, f/2.2
Video	4K30, 1080p60	4K30, 1080p60

Key camera improvements:

Higher resolution main sensor (64MP vs 50MP)
Improved OIS for better stabilization
Better night mode processing
More natural skin tones in portraits

Battery & Charging: Identical on Paper

Both phones share similar battery specs:

5000mAh battery in both models
25W wired charging supported
15W wireless charging supported

However, the A56's more efficient processor provides:

10-15% better battery life in real-world use
Less heat during charging
Better battery longevity features

The A56 offers slightly better battery life despite the same capacity

Software & Updates

Both phones run One UI 7 on Android 15, but with different update schedules:

Feature	Galaxy A56	Galaxy A55
Launch OS	Android 15	Android 14
Guaranteed Updates	Through Android 19	Through Android 18
Security Patches	Through 2030	Through 2029

The A56 will receive one additional year of both OS updates and security patches compared to the A55.

Pricing Comparison

Current pricing for both models:

Model	Launch Price	Current Price
A56 (128GB)	$349	$349
A55 (128GB)	$349	$279
A56 (256GB)	$399	$399
A55 (256GB)	$399	$329

Upgrade Verdict: Who Should Upgrade?

Worth Upgrading If You:

Want significantly better performance
Need the improved camera system
Value the extra year of updates
Want the brighter display
Have an A53 or older

Not Worth Upgrading If You:

Have an A55 and are happy with it
Don't need the extra performance
Can find the A55 at a significant discount
Don't care about camera improvements

Final Recommendation

For new buyers, the Galaxy A56 is clearly the better choice, offering meaningful improvements in performance, cameras, and display quality for the same launch price as the A55. However, if you already own an A55 and can find it at a $100+ discount, it remains a compelling option.

For those considering alternatives, check out our guide to the best smartwatches or learn how AI is changing smartphones.