Samsung Galaxy M56 vs A55: Which Samsung Mid-Ranger Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained battery life and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy M56 emerges as the winner. While the A55 boasts a brighter display, the M56’s 45W charging and potentially larger battery (implied by the focus on charging) offer a more practical advantage in daily use.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy M56 | Samsung Galaxy A55 |
| 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, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, April 17 | 2024, March 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, April 17 | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 162 x 77.3 x 7.2 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.28 in) | 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm (6.34 x 3.05 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~382 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 111.5 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED+, 120Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Xclipse 530 | Xclipse 530 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) | 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) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 45W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Light Green | Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon |
| Models | SM-M566B, SM-M566B/DS | SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | $ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998 |
| SAR | 0.71 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy M56
- Faster 45W charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially larger battery capacity for extended runtime
- Likely more affordable price point
- Display brightness likely lower than the A55
- Potentially less refined design and build quality
Samsung Galaxy A55
- Brighter 1010 nit display for better outdoor visibility
- Potentially smoother display with a higher refresh rate
- Likely more premium build quality and design
- Slower 25W charging
- Shorter battery life compared to the M56 (potentially)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A55 distinguishes itself with a measured peak brightness of 1010 nits, suggesting a superior outdoor visibility experience compared to the M56, which lacks published brightness data. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels given Samsung’s typical implementation, the A55’s higher brightness indicates a potentially more advanced panel. The absence of refresh rate data for the M56 suggests it may not match the A55’s likely 120Hz capability, impacting smoothness in scrolling and gaming. Bezels and color accuracy are unknown for both, but the A55’s positioning suggests a more refined aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature multi-camera systems, but the M56’s marketing may emphasize different aspects than the A55. The absence of sensor size information makes it difficult to assess image quality potential. While both may include standard lenses, the A55’s higher price point suggests a potentially more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) and improved low-light performance. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact overall camera experience.
Performance
Both the Galaxy M56 and A55 are powered by the Exynos 1480 (4nm), featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means CPU performance will be virtually identical between the two devices. The 4nm process node contributes to improved power efficiency compared to older manufacturing processes. However, thermal management – and therefore sustained performance – could differ based on chassis design and cooling solutions, data for which is currently unavailable. RAM configuration (LPDDR5x speed) is also unknown, but could be a differentiating factor.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A55 achieves an impressive 13:27h active use score, demonstrating strong battery optimization. The M56’s advantage lies in its 45W wired charging capability, significantly faster than the A55’s 25W charging. While the M56’s battery capacity is not explicitly stated, the emphasis on 45W charging suggests a larger battery to take full advantage of the faster charging speeds. This translates to quicker top-ups and potentially reduced downtime, benefiting users who frequently use their phones throughout the day. A larger battery capacity, combined with the efficient Exynos 1480, could result in comparable or even superior battery life for the M56.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M56 if you need maximum battery endurance and prioritize quick top-ups, making it ideal for travelers or heavy users. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you value a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption and are less concerned with achieving the absolute fastest charging speeds or longest runtimes between charges.