Both the Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A56 5G are now available at AZ Electronics in 128GB and 256GB, which makes this comparison more interesting than it used to be: at 128GB the A36 5G is still the cheaper phone, but at 256GB the pricing has flipped and the A56 5G is currently the cheaper of the two. Here's the honest breakdown, storage tier by storage tier.
| Feature | Galaxy A36 5G | Galaxy A56 5G |
|---|---|---|
| 128GB price | £220.00 | £269.99 |
| 256GB price | £340.00 | £294.99 |
| Display | 6.7" Super AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1900 nits |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | Exynos 1580 |
| Rear camera | 50MP OIS + 8MP ultrawide + 5MP macro | 50MP OIS + 12MP ultrawide + 5MP macro |
| Charging | 45W (66% in 30 min) | 45W (66% in 30 min) |
| Build | Plastic frame, glass back | Premium aluminium frame |
| Durability | IP67 | IP67 |
| Best for | Cheapest way in at 128GB | Best display/camera — and now best value at 256GB |
Important: at 256GB, the "upgrade" is currently the cheaper phone
Normally the more capable phone in a range costs more — but right now, at AZ Electronics, the 256GB Galaxy A56 5G (£294.99) is £45.01 cheaper than the 256GB Galaxy A36 5G (£340.00), despite the A56 having a better display, a sharper ultrawide camera and a premium metal frame. We're calling this out explicitly rather than glossing over it: if you're choosing 256GB, there is currently no reason to pick the A36 5G over the A56 5G — you'd be paying more for a lesser phone. Prices change regularly, so this specific gap may not last; always check today's price on both product pages before ordering.
At 128GB, the normal hierarchy holds: the A36 5G (£220.00) remains £49.99 cheaper than the A56 5G (£269.99), and here the decision is a genuine trade-off between price and the A56's display/camera/build upgrades.
What the A56 5G's extra features actually get you
Both phones share the same 5,000mAh battery and identical 45W charging speed — charging isn't a differentiator either way. The real differences are display quality (Dynamic AMOLED 2X with HDR10+ and much higher peak brightness, versus standard Super AMOLED on the A36), a sharper ultrawide camera (12MP vs 8MP), and a premium aluminium frame instead of plastic.
Buy the Galaxy A36 5G 128GB if…
- You want the lowest possible entry price into this pair of phones
- You don't specifically need HDR10+ streaming or the sharpest possible ultrawide camera
- A plastic-framed (rather than metal) build doesn't bother you
Buy the Galaxy A56 5G if…
- You want 256GB — at current pricing it's both the better phone and the cheaper one
- You watch a lot of HDR video and want the display to show it properly
- A premium metal frame and the sharpest ultrawide camera in the range matter to you
Our verdict
At 128GB: the Galaxy A36 5G is the budget pick, the Galaxy A56 5G the step-up — a normal trade-off between price and display/camera/build.
At 256GB: the Galaxy A56 5G is currently the clear choice — you get a better display, camera and build for less money than the A36 5G. There's no good reason to buy the A36 5G 256GB while this pricing holds.
FAQ
Is the Galaxy A56 5G 256GB really cheaper than the A36 5G 256GB?
Yes, at time of writing — £294.99 versus £340.00. Always check today's price on both product pages, as this can change.
Do both phones charge at the same speed?
Yes, both support 45W charging with near-identical charge times.
Which has the better camera?
The A56 5G's 12MP ultrawide is sharper than the A36 5G's 8MP ultrawide; the main 50MP OIS sensor is comparable on both.
Which should I buy at 128GB?
The A36 5G if price is the priority; the A56 5G if you want the better display, camera and build and are happy to pay £49.99 more.
See the full Galaxy A36 5G buyer's guide or the Galaxy A56 5G buyer's guide for full specs and details. Browse the full range in our Samsung Phones collection.