Samsung Galaxy A56 vs S23 FE: A Deep Dive into Samsung's Mid-Range and 'Flagship Fan Edition'
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and long-term value, the Samsung Galaxy A56 emerges as the winner. Its significantly longer battery endurance (44:34h vs 8:28h active use) and efficient Exynos 1580 chipset outweigh the S23 FE's more powerful, but less efficient, processor.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy A56 | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 02 | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 10 | Available. Released 2023, October 05 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm (6.39 x 3.05 x 0.29 in) | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, Mohs level 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~87.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1450 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - InternationalOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - USA |
| Chipset | Exynos 1580 (4 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - InternationalQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - USA |
| GPU | Xclipse 540 | Xclipse 920 - InternationalAdreno 730 - USA |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Best Face, LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) | 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 10 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 1080p@60fps (regional availability), 10-bit HDR | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 65% in 30 min, 100% in 68 min | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Pink, Olive, Graphite, Lightgray | Mint, Cream, Graphite, Purple, Indigo, Tangerine |
| Models | SM-A566V, SM-A566B, SM-A566B/DS, SM-A566E, SM-A566E/DS, SM-A5660, SM-A566U, SM-A566U1, SM-A566W, SM-A566S | SM-S711B, SM-S711B/DS, SM-S711U1, SM-S711U, SM-S711W, SM-S7110, SM-S711N |
| Price | € 286.99 / $ 308.29 / £ 249.00 / ₹ 38,999 | $ 219.95 / C$ 327.90 / £ 248.99 / € 272.00 / ₹ 34,999 |
| SAR | 1.32 W/kg (head) | 0.80 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.61 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) | 0.76 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 44:34h endurance, 2000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Samsung Galaxy A56
- Exceptional battery life (44:34h endurance)
- Faster charging (45W)
- More efficient processor (Exynos 1580)
- Likely less powerful camera system
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- More powerful processor (Exynos 2200/Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Potentially more advanced camera features
- Significantly shorter battery life (8:28h active use)
- Slower charging (25W)
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A56 boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 1213 nits compared to the S23 FE’s 985 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors. While both utilize AMOLED technology, the A56’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage. We lack PWM frequency data for both, but the A56’s newer panel may benefit from improvements in flicker reduction. Both likely offer excellent color accuracy, typical of Samsung displays, but the A56’s brightness gives it an edge for everyday usability.
Camera Comparison
The context data for the A56 lacks camera specifics, but given its positioning, we anticipate a capable but not class-leading camera system. The S23 FE, being positioned as a 'Flagship Fan Edition', includes a more feature-rich camera system, though the data doesn't specify sensor sizes or apertures. The S23 FE likely offers more advanced video recording capabilities and potentially better low-light performance. However, the A56’s camera is likely to be perfectly adequate for everyday photography, and the difference in image quality may not be significant for casual users. We'd caution against relying on the often-present 2MP macro lens on either device.
Performance
The chipset is where the biggest difference lies. The S23 FE ships with either the Exynos 2200 (International) or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (USA), both built on a 4nm process. The A56 utilizes the newer Exynos 1580, also 4nm. While the Exynos 2200/Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offer higher peak performance – the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s Cortex-X2 core clocks at 3.00 GHz versus the A56’s 2.9 GHz Cortex-A720 – the Exynos 1580’s architecture (a mix of Cortex-A720 and A520 cores) is optimized for efficiency. This results in the A56’s superior battery life. The S23 FE’s more powerful GPU will excel in graphically intensive games, but at the cost of thermal throttling and reduced endurance.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A56 dominates in battery performance. Its 44:34h endurance and 12:08h active use score are significantly higher than the S23 FE’s 8:28h active use. The A56 also charges faster, reaching 65% in 30 minutes and 100% in 68 minutes with its 45W charger, compared to the S23 FE’s 50% in 30 minutes with 25W charging. The S23 FE does offer 15W wireless and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the A56, but these are secondary benefits compared to the A56’s overall battery advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A56 if you need exceptional battery life, prioritize long-term software support, and value a smooth, efficient user experience over raw processing power. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if you prefer a more powerful processor for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, and are willing to compromise on battery life and charging speed. The S23 FE also offers a more robust camera feature set, though not necessarily superior image quality.