Samsung Galaxy M56 5G: A Premium Mid-Range Phone Under ₹25,000

The Samsung Galaxy M56 5G is the latest addition to Samsung’s popular M-series, designed to offer a blend of premium design, solid performance, and modern features at an affordable price point. Priced under ₹25,000 with offers, this smartphone aims to cater to users seeking a reliable device for everyday tasks, casual gaming, and multimedia consumption. In this detailed blog post, we’ll dive into every aspect of the Galaxy M56 5G, from its sleek design to its camera capabilities, performance, and more. Let’s explore why this phone is generating buzz in the mid-range segment.

Unboxing and First Impressions

The Samsung Galaxy M56 5G arrives in a minimalistic box that reflects Samsung’s eco-conscious approach. The box design caught attention due to the depiction of the phone with ultra-slim bezels, which initially sparked curiosity about whether it was a design error or a true representation. Spoiler alert: the bezels are indeed impressively slim, setting a new standard for Samsung’s mid-range devices.

What’s Inside the Box?

• Samsung Galaxy M56 5G smartphone
• Type-C to Type-C cable (supports 45W fast charging)
• SIM ejector pin
• User manual

Notably, Samsung continues its trend of excluding a charger in the box, so users will need to purchase a compatible 45W charger separately to leverage the phone’s fast-charging capabilities.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy M56 5G boasts a minimalistic yet premium design, drawing inspiration from Samsung’s higher-end A-series. Available in Light Green and Just Black, the Light Green variant stands out with its subtle, refreshing hue. The phone features a glass back protected by Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, which adds durability and a premium feel. The side frame, made of polycarbonate plastic, mimics a metallic finish, enhancing the overall aesthetic.

Key Design Highlights:

• Slim Profile: At just 7.2 mm thick and weighing 180 grams, the phone feels lightweight and comfortable to hold.
• Flat Frame with Curved Corners: The flat frame with slightly curved corners ensures a secure grip, blending style with ergonomics.
• Premium Touches: The metal ring around the camera module and the Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on both the front and back elevate the phone’s build quality.
• Comparison with A56: While the M56 resembles the Galaxy A56 in design, it differentiates itself with a unique frame and camera ring design, leaning toward a more premium M-series aesthetic.

The design feels like a step up from previous M-series phones, aligning more closely with Samsung’s premium offerings. However, the single speaker setup is a minor drawback, as dual stereo speakers would have enhanced the audio experience, especially given the Dolby Atmos support.

Display: Slim Bezels, Vibrant Colors

One of the standout features of the Galaxy M56 5G is its 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED Plus display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The display delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, characteristic of Samsung’s AMOLED panels.

Display Features:

• Slim Bezels: The phone boasts some of the slimmest bezels in Samsung’s non-flagship lineup, making the display appear nearly edge-to-edge.
• High Brightness: With a peak brightness of 1200 nits, the display remains legible even in bright outdoor conditions.
• HDR Support: The phone supports HDR video playback, including on platforms like Netflix, though slight color shifts may occur during HDR content (potentially fixable via software updates).
• In-Display Fingerprint Scanner: An optical fingerprint scanner is integrated into the display. While secure with Knox integration, it’s slightly slower compared to ultrasonic sensors in premium models.
• Gorilla Glass Victus Plus: The display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, ensuring resistance to scratches and minor drops.

The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations, with the phone intelligently switching between 60Hz and 120Hz to optimize battery life. For users who prioritize display quality, the M56’s screen is a major selling point in its price range.

Performance: Balanced for Everyday Use

The Galaxy M56 5G is powered by the Exynos 1480 processor, paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. This chipset, previously seen in the Galaxy A55, offers a significant improvement over the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 used in the Galaxy M55, which faced heating and performance issues.

Performance Highlights:

• Antutu Score: The phone scores around 725,000, comparable to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, making it suitable for casual gaming and multitasking.
• Thermal Management: Equipped with a bigger cooling chamber, the M56 handles extended tasks like 4K video recording (tested for 21 minutes without overheating) and outdoor photography without thermal throttling.
• Gaming: Casual games run smoothly at 60fps on medium settings, but heavy titles like BGMI may experience minor frame drops. This phone isn’t targeted at hardcore gamers but handles light to moderate gaming well.
• Storage Variants: Available in 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage, with UFS 3.1 ensuring faster app launches and data transfers.

For everyday tasks like social media, streaming, and light productivity, the Exynos 1480 delivers reliable performance. The inclusion of UFS 3.1 storage is a welcome upgrade, addressing the slower UFS 2.2 storage in the M55.

Software: Android 15 with One UI 7

The Galaxy M56 5G ships with Android 15 and One UI 7, making it one of the first Samsung devices to feature the latest software out of the box. Samsung’s commitment to long-term software support is evident with 6 years of Android OS updates and 6 years of security updates, ensuring the phone remains relevant until 2031.

Software Features:

• One UI 7: Offers a refined user experience with features like the Samsung dialer (supports call recording), Now Bar, and Focus Mode.
• AI Features: Includes Object Eraser, Image Clipper, and Background Removal for photo editing, though advanced features like Circle to Search are absent.
• Samsung Wallet and NFC: Supports contactless payments via Samsung Wallet, enabled by the phone’s NFC chip.
• Bloatware: Pre-installed Samsung apps are present, along with some third-party apps that can be uninstalled. A Discovery Mode for app suggestions can be turned off manually.
• Good Lock: Unfortunately, Samsung’s Good Lock app for advanced customization is not supported, as it’s typically reserved for A-series and flagship devices.

The software is optimized for casual users, with a clean interface and practical features. The long update cycle makes the M56 a future-proof choice in the mid-range segment.

Camera: Versatile and Reliable

The Galaxy M56 5G features a quad-camera setup designed to deliver solid performance across various lighting conditions. The camera system includes:

• 50MP Main Camera: Captures detailed shots with Samsung’s signature color science, offering good dynamic range and sharpness.
• 8MP Ultra-Wide Camera: Suitable for landscapes and group shots, though it loses some detail in low light.
• 2MP Macro Camera: Offers basic macro photography but is limited in quality.
• 12MP Selfie Camera: Delivers natural-looking selfies with decent detail in daylight.

Camera Performance:

• Photo Quality: The main camera excels in daylight, producing vibrant, well-balanced images. The ultra-wide camera performs adequately but struggles in low light.
• Zoom: Supports up to 10x digital zoom, with usable results at 1x and 2x in good lighting.
• Portrait Mode: Offers 1x and 2x digital zoom options, with accurate edge detection in daylight. Low-light portraits at 2x appear softer.
• Video Recording:
  • Rear: Up to 4K 30fps (60fps at 1080p).
  • Front: Up to 4K 30fps.
  • Videos are stable with good audio quality, though low-light performance is average.
• AI Enhancements: Features like Object Eraser and Edit Suggestions add versatility to photo editing.

The camera system is well-suited for casual photographers, delivering reliable results for social media and personal use. For detailed sample images, check the Google Drive link provided by the reviewer (not included here).

Battery and Charging

The Galaxy M56 5G is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which offers all-day battery life for most users. The phone supports 45W fast charging, allowing quick top-ups, though a compatible charger must be purchased separately.

Battery Highlights:

• Endurance: The 5000mAh battery easily lasts a full day with moderate use, including streaming, social media, and light gaming.
• Charging Speed: With a 45W charger, the phone can charge from 0 to 50% in approximately 25-30 minutes (exact times may vary).
• Efficiency: The Exynos 1480 and 120Hz display are optimized for power efficiency, ensuring minimal battery drain during idle or light tasks.

Connectivity and Other Features

The Galaxy M56 5G is equipped with modern connectivity options, making it a versatile choice for urban users.

Connectivity Features:

• 5G Support: Supports 8 5G bands for future-proof connectivity.
• 4G+ and Carrier Aggregation: Ensures fast and stable mobile data speeds.
• Dual SIM: Supports two physical SIM cards (no eSIM).
• NFC: Enables contactless payments via Samsung Wallet.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster and more reliable connections.

Additional Features:

• Haptic Feedback: Uses a basic vibration motor, which is functional but not as refined as premium devices.
• IP Rating: No official IP rating for water or dust resistance, which is a minor drawback in this price range.
• Type-C Port Alignment: The USB-C port is slightly off-center, a minor design quirk that doesn’t affect functionality.

Pricing and Variants

The Samsung Galaxy M56 5G is available in two variants:

• 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage: Priced at ₹27,999, with a ₹3,000 HDFC card discount bringing it to ₹24,999.
• 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage: Pricing details for this variant are slightly higher, expected around ₹29,999 (subject to offers).

At this price point, the M56 competes with brands like Xiaomi, Realme, and Vivo, which often prioritize raw performance. However, Samsung’s focus on design, display quality, and software support makes the M56 a compelling choice for casual users.

Specification Table

Feature	Specification
Display	6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 1200 nits, Gorilla Glass Victus Plus
Processor	Exynos 1480
RAM	8GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage	128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)
Rear Camera	50MP (Main) + 8MP (Ultra-Wide) + 2MP (Macro)
Front Camera	12MP
Battery	5000mAh, 45W fast charging (charger not included)
Operating System	Android 15 with One UI 7
Software Updates	6 years of Android OS updates, 6 years of security updates
Connectivity	5G (8 bands), 4G+, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Dual SIM
Build	Glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus Plus), Polycarbonate frame
Weight	180 grams
Thickness	7.2 mm
Audio	Single speaker, Dolby Atmos support
Security	In-display optical fingerprint scanner, Knox security
Colors	Light Green, Just Black
Price	₹24,999 (8GB + 128GB, after ₹3,000 HDFC discount)

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Premium design with Gorilla Glass Victus Plus and slim bezels.
• Vibrant 6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus display with 120Hz refresh rate.
• Long-term software support (6+6 years).
• Reliable performance for casual use with improved thermal management.
• Solid camera performance for daylight photography and 4K video.
• 5000mAh battery with 45W fast charging.

Cons:

• Single speaker instead of dual stereo speakers.
• No charger included in the box.
• No IP rating for water/dust resistance.
• Optical fingerprint scanner is slightly slow.
• Not ideal for heavy gaming or performance-intensive tasks.

Who Should Buy the Samsung Galaxy M56 5G?

The Samsung Galaxy M56 5G is an excellent choice for:

• Casual Users: Those who need a reliable phone for social media, streaming, and light productivity.
• Display Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a vibrant AMOLED display with slim bezels.
• Samsung Loyalists: Fans of Samsung’s ecosystem, software experience, and long-term update commitment.
• Budget-Conscious Buyers: Anyone looking for a premium mid-range phone under ₹25,000.

However, if you’re a heavy gamer or prioritize raw performance, other phones in this price range (e.g., those with Snapdragon 7 Gen 3) may be better suited.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy M56 5G is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that punches above its weight in design, display, and software support. While it makes minor compromises like a single speaker and no included charger, its premium build, vibrant AMOLED display, and long-term software updates make it a strong contender in the sub-₹25,000 segment. Compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy M55, the M56 offers better build quality, performance, and thermal management, making it a worthy upgrade.

If you’re in the market for a stylish, reliable, and future-proof smartphone, the Galaxy M56 5G deserves a spot on your shortlist. Share your thoughts on this phone in the comments below, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more tech insights!