Galaxy A56 Vs Galaxy S24+

Galaxy A56
Galaxy A56
Starting at

Refurbished price:259.00

Versus €502.00 new

See options
Galaxy S24+
Galaxy S24+
Starting at

Refurbished price:399.00

Versus €1,167.06 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A56, released in March 2025, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, launched in January 2024, represent different tiers within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both devices operate on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, they cater to distinct user needs through variations in their core specifications and feature sets. The A56 is positioned as a robust mid-range option, offering a balance of features and longevity, whereas the S24 Plus delivers a premium flagship experience with advanced capabilities and enhanced performance.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its physical resilience and the duration of its software support. Both the Galaxy A56 and the Galaxy S24 Plus offer substantial commitments to software updates, contributing to their practical lifespan.

  • Software Support: The Galaxy S24 Plus, as a flagship device, is promised seven years of Android operating system upgrades and seven years of security updates from its January 2024 release, extending its usability well into the future. The Galaxy A56, released in March 2025, initially offered six years of OS upgrades and security updates, which was later extended to seven years for security updates in some regions, providing a comparable long-term security commitment.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A56 features an aluminum frame with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, and carries an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S24 Plus boasts an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for its front and back, coupled with an IP68 rating, indicating a slightly higher level of protection against dust and water immersion.
  • Expected Lifespan: Both devices are designed for extended use, with their respective software support policies ensuring they remain functional and secure for many years. The S24 Plus's slightly more robust build materials and higher IP rating may offer a marginal advantage in physical resilience over time.

Year of Release

2025

2024

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The processing power and memory configurations significantly impact a smartphone's responsiveness and ability to handle demanding applications. The Galaxy A56 and Galaxy S24 Plus are equipped with different levels of internal hardware to suit their intended performance tiers.

  • Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy A56 is powered by a 4nm Exynos 1580 chipset, which provides smooth performance for everyday tasks, navigation, and general app usage. Users can expect fluid scrolling and stable operation during typical daily activities. The Galaxy S24 Plus, depending on the region, features either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy or the Exynos 2400. These processors are designed for high-demand scenarios, offering ultra-fast performance for intensive gaming, complex multitasking, and advanced AI features.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The A56 comes with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, which is suitable for managing multiple applications simultaneously and storing a considerable amount of data. It does not support expandable storage. The S24 Plus is equipped with 12GB of RAM as standard, paired with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, providing ample capacity for power users and extensive app libraries. It also lacks a microSD card slot.
  • Battery Behavior: Both devices feature large battery capacities. The Galaxy A56 has a 5000 mAh battery, often reported by users to last nearly two days with mixed usage, making it a strong contender for extended battery life. The Galaxy S24 Plus, with its 4900 mAh battery, also offers long battery life, frequently lasting over a day and a half with moderate use, even with its more powerful components and higher-resolution display.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy S24 Plus offer vibrant viewing experiences, though with key differences in their underlying technology and capabilities.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy A56 features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with an FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), providing clear and colorful visuals for everyday content consumption. The Galaxy S24 Plus comes with a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering a sharper QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels). This higher pixel density results in finer detail and crisper text, particularly noticeable when viewing high-resolution media or intricate graphics.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both phones feature a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The A56 can reach a peak brightness of 1900 nits, with 1200 nits in high brightness mode, making it comfortable for outdoor use. The S24 Plus elevates this with a peak brightness of 2600 nits, providing superior visibility in bright sunlight and enhancing HDR content viewing. Its adaptive refresh rate can scale down to 1Hz, optimizing battery efficiency.
  • Viewing Experience: While both displays offer excellent color reproduction and contrast typical of AMOLED panels, the S24 Plus provides a more immersive and detailed visual experience due to its higher resolution and significantly brighter panel, which is particularly beneficial for media enthusiasts and those who frequently use their phone outdoors.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1440 x 3120

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Camera systems are a crucial aspect of modern smartphones, and both the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy S24 Plus offer versatile setups, albeit with different strengths and capabilities.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A56 is equipped with a triple-camera setup: a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro camera. It performs well in bright conditions, capturing detailed shots with good color. The Galaxy S24 Plus also features a triple-camera system, including a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This telephoto lens allows for clear zoomed-in shots without significant loss of detail.
  • Photography Performance: The A56's main camera is reliable for everyday photography, but its low-light performance can be challenging for all three rear cameras. The macro lens offers limited practical value. The S24 Plus delivers top-tier image quality, especially from its main camera, with strong performance across various lighting conditions. Its AI features, such as Nightography, enhance low-light photography.
  • Video and Front Camera: Both devices can record videos up to 4K at 30fps. The A56 has a 12MP front camera, which is an upgrade in quality from its predecessor. The S24 Plus also features a 12MP front camera, capable of producing sharp selfies and good video calls, and supports 4K 120fps slow-motion video recording.

Main camera

4K@30fps

50 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core components, several practical features contribute to the overall user experience and daily usability of a smartphone. The Galaxy A56 and Galaxy S24 Plus differ in these aspects, reflecting their respective market positions.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both phones support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy A56 includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, along with a USB Type-C 2.0 port. The Galaxy S24 Plus offers more advanced connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 (depending on region) and Bluetooth 5.3, alongside a faster USB Type-C 3.2 port, enabling quicker data transfers.
  • Biometrics and Build Materials: The A56 features an optical in-display fingerprint sensor and is constructed with an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides. The S24 Plus utilizes an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, which is generally considered more secure and reliable, and has an Armor Aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy A56 measures 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm and weighs 198g. The Galaxy S24 Plus is slightly more compact and lighter at 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm and 195g. Both devices offer stereo speakers, but neither includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. The S24 Plus also integrates advanced Galaxy AI features, which are not present in the A56.

Weight

197 g

197 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy A56 often highlights its impressive battery life, with many reporting it comfortably lasts for nearly two days on a single charge, even with moderate to heavy use. Its bright and smooth AMOLED display is also frequently praised for media consumption. Some users note that while the main camera performs well in good lighting, the overall camera system, particularly in low-light conditions and the macro lens, does not match flagship-level performance. The phone's robust software update policy is a significant positive, ensuring long-term usability.

For the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, users consistently commend its powerful performance, noting its ability to handle demanding applications and multitasking with ease. The vibrant and high-resolution display, along with its exceptional brightness, receives high marks for an immersive viewing experience. The camera system is generally well-regarded for its overall quality, especially the main sensor and the inclusion of a telephoto lens, though some suggest it may not surpass the absolute best in specific scenarios like extreme zoom or video stabilization compared to certain competitors. Its extensive software support commitment is also a major advantage.

Users prioritizing extended battery life, a solid everyday performance, and a long-term software commitment in a durable package may find the Galaxy A56 well-suited to their needs. It offers a balanced experience for general use and media consumption. Conversely, users who require top-tier processing power for intensive tasks, a more advanced camera system with optical zoom, a higher-resolution and brighter display, and cutting-edge AI features will likely lean towards the Galaxy S24 Plus. Both devices offer excellent long-term value, especially when considering quality-assured refurbished options, which provide an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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