Samsung has been a household name in India for its reliable smartphones, and the Galaxy M series has always been a favorite for budget-conscious buyers looking for solid performance. The latest addition, the Samsung Galaxy M56 5G, launched in April 2025, is priced around ₹25,000 and brings some notable upgrades over its predecessor, the Galaxy M55. But does it live up to the hype? Should you buy it? In this detailed review, we’ll dive into its design, display, performance, software, camera, battery, and more to help you decide if this phone is worth your hard-earned money.
Design and Build: Slim, Premium, and Durable
The Samsung Galaxy M56 5G stands out with its sleek and modern design. At just 7.2mm thick and weighing 180 grams, it’s one of the slimmest phones in its segment, making it comfortable to hold and use. Compared to the Galaxy M55, which had a plastic back, the M56 steps up with a glass back panel, giving it a premium feel that’s rare at this price point. The boxy frame adds to the in-hand grip, and the phone feels sturdy yet lightweight.
One of the biggest highlights is the inclusion of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back. This ensures better scratch resistance and durability, with Samsung claiming up to 2m fall endurance and 4x better scratch resistance than its predecessor. This is a big win for users who want a phone that can withstand daily wear and tear without a bulky case.
The camera module has also been revamped. Unlike the M55’s circular camera slots, the M56 features a vertical pill-shaped camera island with a metallic deco, giving it a fresh and modern look. The phone is available in two colors: Light Green and Black, both of which look stylish and appealing.
However, there are a couple of downsides. The haptics feel average, lacking the premium feedback you’d expect from a phone in this range. Additionally, Samsung has opted for a single speaker instead of the stereo speakers found in some competitors, which is a noticeable downgrade. While the single speaker is loud and clear, it doesn’t offer the immersive audio experience of dual speakers. On the plus side, the phone supports dual SIMs with 5G connectivity on both, and there’s a Type-C to Type-C cable included in the box (though, as expected, no charger).
Display: Vibrant and Modern
The Galaxy M56 5G comes with a 6.73-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED+ display, which is a slight upgrade over the M55. Samsung has reduced the bezels by 36%, making the screen look more modern and immersive. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations, whether you’re browsing social media or playing games.
The display quality is one of the phone’s strongest points. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and the 1200 nits peak brightness ensures good visibility even under direct sunlight. The Vision Booster technology further enhances readability in bright environments. Compared to the M55, the M56’s display is 33% brighter and feels sharper, likely due to the Super AMOLED+ panel.
However, there’s a catch. The phone supports HDR only on YouTube, not on Netflix, which might disappoint users who rely on streaming services for entertainment. Still, for general use—watching videos, browsing, or gaming—the display is a delight and one of the best in its price range.
Performance: Reliable for Everyday Use
Under the hood, the Galaxy M56 5G is powered by the Exynos 1480 processor, the same chipset used in last year’s Galaxy A55. This octa-core CPU, clocked up to 2.75GHz, is comparable to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in terms of power. Paired with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, the phone handles everyday tasks like multitasking, social media, and light gaming with ease.
In benchmark tests, the M56 shows significant improvement over the M55. For instance, AnTuTu scores have jumped from around 5.7 lakh on the M55 to 7.5 lakh on the M56. Geekbench and 3D Mark stress tests also indicate good stability, with minimal throttling even during extended use. To test real-world performance, the phone was put through 20 minutes of 4K video recording outdoors, and it handled the task without overheating or shutting down.
For gaming, the M56 is decent but not exceptional. Popular titles like Call of Duty Mobile and BGMI run smoothly at 60fps on medium settings, but don’t expect higher frame rates like 90fps, which some competitors in this price range offer. If you’re a casual gamer, the phone will suffice, but hardcore gamers might want to look elsewhere.
Overall, the M56 is a solid performer for light to moderate users. Apps launch quickly, the 120Hz refresh rate makes navigation fluid, and minor frame drops are rare. The inclusion of a vapor cooling chamber (33% larger than the M55’s) helps keep temperatures in check during prolonged use.
Software: One UI 7 Shines
Samsung’s software experience is one of the key reasons for its loyal fanbase, and the Galaxy M56 5G doesn’t disappoint. It runs on Android 15 with One UI 7, the latest version of Samsung’s custom skin. Samsung promises 6 years of OS upgrades and 6 years of security patches, ensuring the phone stays relevant until 2031. This is a huge advantage in the mid-range segment, where most brands offer only 2-3 years of updates.
One UI 7 brings several new features and a refined design. The notification center has been split, with notifications accessible from the left side and quick settings from the right. The Now Bar on the lock screen is a standout feature, offering quick access to music controls, timers, navigation, and more without unlocking the phone. This functionality also extends to the Always-On Display, reducing the need to wake the phone repeatedly.
The gallery app includes AI-powered features like Object Eraser, Image Clipper, and Edit Suggestions, making photo editing a breeze. For security, the phone offers Knox for hardware-level protection and a Secure Folder for encrypted data storage. Since the phone supports NFC, the Samsung Wallet is a handy addition for contactless payments.
Overall, One UI 7 is smooth, feature-rich, and user-friendly, making the M56 a joy to use for both tech-savvy users and beginners.
Camera: Decent but Not Perfect
The Galaxy M56 5G features a triple rear camera setup: a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. On the front, there’s a 12MP selfie camera with 10-bit HDR video support.
The front camera is a notable change from the M55’s 50MP sensor. While the resolution has dropped, Samsung has increased the sensor size, resulting in better selfie quality, especially in low light. The selfies look natural, with accurate skin tones and good detail.
The rear cameras perform well in daylight, with the 50MP main sensor capturing vibrant colors and decent dynamic range. The OIS helps reduce shake, making it great for steady shots and videos. However, at 2x zoom, photos can appear soft, especially indoors. The 8MP ultra-wide lens offers a wide field of view but shows slight color shifts compared to the main sensor. The 2MP macro lens is average, producing usable but not exceptional close-up shots.
In low-light conditions, the camera performance is acceptable but not outstanding. The Big Pixel Technology and Low Noise Mode help, but competitors like the Realme 14 Pro or Vivo T3 Pro might offer better results in this area. Both the front and rear cameras support 4K video recording at 30fps, which is a plus for content creators.
Overall, the camera system is reliable for everyday photography and casual video recording, but it’s not the best in its class.
Battery and Charging: Consistent and Dependable
The Galaxy M56 5G is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, the same as the M55, and supports 45W fast charging. This is a carryover from last year, and while it’s not groundbreaking, it gets the job done. The battery easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use, including social media, video streaming, and gaming.
The 45W charging is decent, fully charging the phone in about an hour, but you’ll need to buy a compatible charger separately, as the box only includes a cable. Compared to competitors offering 80W or 100W charging, the M56 feels a bit behind, but the battery life is solid enough to make up for it.
Samsung Galaxy M56 5G Specifications Table
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.73-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED+, 120Hz refresh rate, 1200 nits brightness |
| Processor | Exynos 1480 (octa-core, up to 2.75GHz) |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB UFS 3.1, expandable via microSD |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (OIS) + 8MP (ultra-wide) + 2MP (macro) |
| Front Camera | 12MP with 10-bit HDR video support |
| Battery | 5000mAh, 45W fast charging |
| Operating System | Android 15 with One UI 7 |
| Software Updates | 6 years of OS upgrades, 6 years of security patches |
| Connectivity | 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB Type-C |
| Build | Glass back, Gorilla Glass Victus+ (front and back), 7.2mm thick, 180g |
| Colors | Light Green, Black |
| Price | ₹24,999 (8GB + 128GB, with bank offers), ₹27,999 (8GB + 128GB), ₹30,999 (8GB + 256GB) |
Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy M56 5G?
The Samsung Galaxy M56 5G is a well-rounded smartphone that offers a lot for its price. Its sleek design, vibrant AMOLED display, reliable performance, and long-term software support make it a strong contender in the ₹25,000 segment. The Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection and One UI 7 add a premium touch, while the 5000mAh battery ensures all-day usage.
However, it’s not without flaws. The single speaker, average haptics, and underwhelming low-light camera performance are areas where it lags behind competitors like the Realme 14T 5G or Vivo T3 Ultra. If you’re a heavy gamer or prioritize fast charging, you might want to explore other options.
Who Should Buy It?
- Samsung loyalists who want a reliable phone with a premium design and long software updates.
- Casual users looking for a vibrant display and good battery life for daily tasks.
- Photography enthusiasts who mostly shoot in daylight and want AI editing features.
Who Should Skip It?
- Gamers who need high frame rates (90fps or above) for titles like BGMI.
- Audiophiles who prefer stereo speakers for a better media experience.
- Users who want the best low-light camera or ultra-fast charging.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
At ₹24,999 (with bank offers), the Samsung Galaxy M56 5G offers great value for money, especially for Samsung fans. It’s a solid upgrade over the M55, with a premium glass build, improved display, and a future-proof software experience. While it doesn’t excel in every area, it strikes a good balance for most users. If you’re looking for a dependable mid-range phone that will last for years, the M56 is definitely worth considering.
What do you think about the Galaxy M56 5G? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to share this review with anyone planning to buy a new phone!
