Belkin BoostCharge 25W Wall Charger with PPS review
Right, strap in everyone, this one’s a real mouthful… the Belkin BoostCharge 25W Wall Charger with PPS is a single port, USB-C charger that will get the vast majority of modern handsets fighting fit in no time.
Of course, this isn’t going to be the best at juicing up one of the latest MacBooks or Chromebooks, for instance, due to its 25W output. But that’s OK. After all, this model is really for those that just want to charge their phone or wireless headphones on the go, say. And that, reader, is a purpose this model serves well.
I tried charging up my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and it reached 100%, starting from 0% in just under 80 minutes – the kind of speed I’d hope to see from the best Android phone chargers and best iPhone chargers. Of course, this model won’t be able to unlock peak performance on a phone like the Honor Magic 7, which can manage 100W wired charging, but most iPhones and Samsung handsets will be able to fast charge with this Belkin plug.
It’s also worth noting that this charger never got too hot when bringing my phone back to life. That’s thanks to its use of PPS technology, which ensures dynamic power delivery. It's also worth noting that this model only supports 20W charging for iPhone, though you may find that’s plenty for a rapid rejuvenation of power.
Beyond performance, this charger is a bit of a mixed bag, though. Build quality is solid and there’s a nice textured finish to the outer casing, but I still didn’t love this charger’s design. In honesty, it’s a little bit bulky for a 25W charger, especially compared to models like the Anker Nano USB-C 30W or UGreen Nexode Mini 30W.
Also, its prongs slide down, but they’re not fully foldable – something I always like, as it enables me to simply slot the charger into my pocket when out and about, without the fear of being poked in the side.
Pair that with the lack of USB-C cable in the box – at least for the UK variant I tested – and the $19.99 / £17.99 / AU$29.95 feels reasonable rather than cheap. Especially when the models I mentioned above are priced very similarly, but are more compact, attractive and powerful. And, all in all, I can’t help but feel there are better value options available for the money. So, even though the Belkin BoostCharge 25W Wall Charger with PPS is a steady performer, it can’t quite top the best of the best single-port alternatives.
Should I buy the Belkin BoostCharge 25W Wall Charger with PPS?
Buy it if…
You just need a basic phone charger This Belkin charger isn’t the most mighty or multi-talented. It offers 25W and a single USB-C port, which isn’t going to be enough for some. Having said that, you’re gonna get more than enough power to fast-charge some of the best Samsung phones and best iPhones, so if you don’t need anything fancy, this will still certainly do the trick.
You’ve got a slow USB-A plug and want an upgrade If you’re fed up with slow charging from your old USB-A fitted phone charger, this alternative from Belkin is sure to take things up a notch. It will almost certainly deliver faster charging speeds – ideal for when you need some extra juice on the go. It’s worth noting, though, that this charger doesn’t come with a USB-C cable, so you’ll need to grab your own elsewhere.
Don't buy it if…
You have a more power-hungry handset Some modern smartphones are capable of charging at a far higher wattage than 25W. For example, the OnePlus 13 can charge up to 80W, so you’ll be better off using single port charging on a model like the UGreen Uno 100W if you’re looking to access peak performance.
You want a splash of style This isn’t the most stylish charger out there. Sure, it comes in two colorways, black and white, but still, it has a pretty plain looking aesthetic. Meanwhile, the Anker Nano USB-C 30W comes in more unique colors, has foldable prongs and also a textured exterior.
Belkin BoostCharge 25W Wall Charger with PPS: Also consider
UGreen Nexode Mini 30W The UGreen Nexode Mini 30W is among my favorite single-port phone chargers thanks to its attractive, shiny appearance, compact build and foldable prongs. It has a bit more power than this Belkin charger but is no more expensive. There’s no USB-C cable in the box here either, but if we’re talking all-round value, this is a superior alternative. Read our full UGreen Nexode Mini 30W review.
The Google Pixel 9a is a solid Android phone that punches far above its weight in important ways, even if the new direction for A-series phone design is a letdown. I'll try not to spend this whole review dwelling on how ugly this phone is – the photos speak for themselves – but I was surprised that Google abandoned its excellent Pixel design for this phone.
The Pixel 9a performs as well as the Pixel 9 in almost every way. It takes photos that look nearly as good as the pics I get from my Pixel 9 Pro. It has most of the latest AI features that make the Pixel a compelling choice for Google fans. I just wish it looked like a Pixel.
Don’t get me wrong; I love the color of the Peony review sample that Google sent me. Actually, TechRadar got two samples, and both were pink, so clearly Google likes this color as much as we do. The color is a perfect match with the Peony silicone case that Google supplied, and I kept the phone covered for most of my time testing it.
The Pixel 9a, Pixel 9, and Pixel 9 Pro (left to right) (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Putting the phone in its case was like putting lipstick on a pig. For the Pixel 9a, Google took the sharp, stylish, distinctive design language it used the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro and threw it in the garbage.
This phone is flat and boring. The camera bump is apologetic, rather than the bold statement the bump on the Pixel 9 makes. You would be forgiven for mistaking this phone for a cheap Motorola or Nokia, or an off-brand phone you find in the back of your carrier store.
I don’t get it. The best explanation I can muster is that the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro camera bar is expensive to produce, and the A-series phones are supposed to be a bargain. But Google cut plenty of other corners on this phone that should have offset the cost of a better design.
For instance, the camera sensors are much, much smaller than the sensors on the Pixel 8a. The main sensor is less than half the size, and that’s a massive drop for the most important spec in terms of camera quality. The Pixel 9a still manages to snap great photos, but this downgrade should have saved Google enough money to pay for a fancy new dress.
The Pixel 6a, Pixel 7a, and Pixel 8a (left to right) all look like the other Pixel phones in their series (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
The Pixel 8a also launched with the same 8GB of RAM as the Pixel 8. The Pixel 9a keeps the 8GB of memory, but the Pixel 9 now offers 12GB (and the Pixel 9 Pro packs 16GB!), which makes a difference when it comes to running all of the AI features on the phone.
The Pixel 9a has a larger battery than the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, even though all three phones have a 6.3-inch display. However, in my time with the Pixel 9a, battery life was good but not extraordinary, and our Future Labs tests show that its battery life is somehow not measurably better with that larger cell inside.
Is the Pixel 9a a letdown? Not at all! Google’s AI features remain the most useful smartphone AI tools you’ll find – I regularly use the AI phone call features to hang up on spammers, wait on hold for me, or record an especially important phone call.
Google Gemini on the Pixel 9a has also gotten much better – and it even improved during my two weeks with the phone, as Google added the ability for Gemini to use the camera and discuss what it sees.
For the price – $499 / £499 / AU$849 – you won’t find a phone that feels so polished and capable. You may find more camera features on a phone like the Samsung Galaxy A56, but you won’t get better photos than you’ll take with the Pixel 9a, especially not macro shots, which is the Pixel 9a’s new specialty.
Trying to beautify the Pixel 9a as best I can (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
You might find snappier performance elsewhere, but the Pixel 9a’s Tensor G4 chip is powerful enough to for Google to guarantee seven years of major Android and security updates, and that’s the best promise you’ll get in this price range. If you need a bargain phone and you don’t want to replace it, like, ever, the Pixel 9a would be the first phone I recommend.
Except for one small thing: the Pixel 8a might be just as good. The Pixel 9a isn’t much faster, and it doesn’t do anything the Pixel 8a can’t do, other than offering the latest Google AI features. If the AI aspect of Google’s phones isn’t enticing, you might be just as satisfied saving even more money and getting the Pixel 8a, especially if it goes on sale again soon.
Actually, if you’re considering the Pixel 9a and you want the best possible bargain, you may want to wait a bit longer. The Pixel 8a went on sale in May of 2024 and the price dropped by $100 for one deal in the US in August. The current global economic uncertainty aside, Google loves to goose sales of its A-series phones with a great deal, so look out for price drops on the Pixel 9a. Or just buy the Pixel 8a – because at least that phone looks like a Pixel.
Google Pixel 9a review: Price and availability
The Pixel 9a in Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, and Peony (top to bottom) (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Priced at $499 / £499 / AU$849 for 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM
Available in Peony, Iris, Porcelain and Obsidian
The Pixel 9a is available now for $499 / £499 / AU$849, after a delay caused by a mysterious 'passive component' issue. My review sample did not seem to have any performance problems or build-quality issues, so I guess we’ll never know what held back the Pixel 9a for a few weeks.
The Pixel 9a costs the same as last year’s Pixel 8a did at launch, but this year there's no competing iPhone SE at an even lower price to consider. Apple has effectively vacated the $500 phone market by selling the new iPhone 16e for a laughable $599 / £599 / AU$999.
If you’re looking for a $500 phone, the Pixel 9a is one of your best options, along with the Samsung Galaxy A56. Samsung hasn’t started selling that phone in the US as I write this, but we have reviewed it, and we know it’s coming to the US later this year.
See! A bargain phone can look cool, not clunky (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
You might also consider the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, a quirky Android that costs $459 / £449 / AU$849, though it’s only available in the US through a beta program.
Of all the phones in this price range, the Pixel 9a should get software and security updates for longer than the rest. The Pixel gets a seven-year promise, while Samsung gives you six years, and the rest of the Android world promises three or fewer.
Value score: 5/5
Google Pixel 9a review: Specs
The Pixel 9a hiding behind the Pixel 9 because it knows that it's ugly (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
The Pixel 9a uses the same Google Tensor G4 chipset as the Pixel 9 Pro and the rest of the Pixel 9 family. This is Google’s biggest strength with its bargain phones, because the Tensor contains the magic sauce that lets Google promise seven years of major OS updates for its latest phones (though none of them have actually been around for seven years, yet).
The Tensor G4 isn’t a performance beast, but it’s good enough for the Pixel 9a to get by, albeit with a bit of sluggishness. The initial setup process especially was a slog, as the phone gets bogged down when you try to download a lot of apps and then, you know, use them.
The paltry 8GB of RAM inside became noticeable when I used the AI features, and the Pixel 9a inexplicably doesn't have the new Screenshots app that debuted on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro. That app gathers all of your screenshots and runs them through the AI so you can ask questions about what it sees; I guess 8GB of RAM is not enough for that level of on-device processing.
I'm very nervous about the next seven years with this phone, if we’re already seeing Google omit features on day one that the rest of the Pixel 9 phones have. I suspect that whatever Android update the Pixel 9a gets in seven years will be only a portion of what the rest of the Pixel phones will receive, but at least security holes should be plugged.
Google Pixel 9a review: Design
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
A major departure from Pixel design
The ugliest Pixel phone ever
Let’s start with a compliment: I like the colors. I like the Peony pink and the lavender Iris hues, and even the Porcelain and Obsidian look premium, not basic. I also like that the cases match perfectly with the phone, giving the handset some needed dimension and texture.
Okay, that’s all the nice I have in me for this phone's design. I’m only being mean to the butt-ugly Pixel 9a because I really liked the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro redesign, and I can’t believe Google didn’t carry the new look down to the bargain basement.
The Pixel 9a is just a flat slab of plastic broken by a round camera bump. It has no personality or character – it looks like somebody punched a Pixel 9 square in the nose and flattened its whole face.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
The Pixel 9a has the same-size screen as the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, but the bezels are noticeably thicker. The phone is nicely rounded, like the Pixel 9, but the back is a matte-finish plastic, not shiny glass. Google says 23% of the Pixel 9a is recycled materials, by weight.
To be fair, the Pixel 9a is thinner than the Pixel 9 if you count the camera bump – that bar adds 3mm to the thickness of the latter phone. If you really want a phone that is borin… er, flat, this is a good pick.
Google also says the Pixel 9a is the most durable Pixel A-series phone yet. It can withstand a dunk in up to 1.5m of fresh water for 30 minutes, so feel free to drop it in the toilet and give it a flush, then rinse it in the sink.
Design score: 3/5
Google Pixel 9a review: Display
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Very bright and colorful display
Questionable Adaptive Display settings should be turned off
The Pixel 9a has an excellent screen that's very bright and colorful, continuing Google’s dominance in this aspect of the smartphone world. This would be a great display for a phone at any price, but it’s a standout feature on a bargain phone; you won’t find a better or brighter screen on a phone this cheap.
I was feeling a bit let down by the display for my first few days with the Pixel 9a, but then I turned off the Adaptive Display mode and things got much brighter. For some reason, Adaptive Display was keeping my phone very dark no matter where I used it, but when I took control the experience got exponentially better.
The screen can refresh at up to 120Hz, but frankly I’m not sure the phone can keep up with any content moving that fast. Scrolling through the apps and settings menus felt more stuttery on the Pixel 9a than on the Pixel 9 Pro, and I can only assume that more RAM would pick things up.
The phone has Gorilla Glass 3 on the front, which is durable but not as scratch-resistant as the latest Gorilla Glass Victus materials. I noticed some hairline scratches on the screen after only a week of use, although these weren't distracting. The back of the phone is plastic, not glass, so it should be more durable.
Display score: 4/5
Google Pixel 9a review: Software
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
A polished version of Android, with many updates to come
Doesn’t have all the features of the rest of the Pixel family
The Google Pixel 9a launches with Android 15 on board, and it should get updates through Android 22 in 2032, if humanity survives that long. Google has only been making this seven-year promise for three years, so we can’t be sure what those eventual updates will look like, but Google also regularly drops new features, or brings newer features to older phones, in software updates it calls Pixel Drops.
Google’s version of Android is the most refined you can get, with the fewest extraneous features. Where Android used to be known for its heavy customization options, now you’d have to download a whole new launcher app if you want to organize your app list into folders or tweak the interface behavior. Today’s Android is simpler, and better for it.
You can no longer group apps into folders or even change the order of the app list (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Google also has some of the most useful AI tools on its smartphones; and, where other phone makers have the same features, Google does it better. For instance, Google’s Voice Recorder app is the best at transcribing what it hears into text. It will label individual speakers, and you can simply tap on a word to jump to the moment in the recording when it was spoken. Samsung and other Android phone makers have similar software, but it doesn’t work as well; not even close.
I especially like Google’s AI calling tools. When I get a mysterious phone call, I can have Google’s AI answer and screen the call; spammers always hang up at this point. If I’m on an important call that I need to remember details of, I can have the AI record and later transcribe the call. My caller will be alerted to the fact that they're being recorded, so there’s no privacy concern.
Gemini Live isn't interesting to look at, but it's fun to talk to the machine (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Google’s Gemini Live conversation tool also got a nice boost on the Pixel 9a. Just before this phone launched, Gemini Live went multi-modal, so it can now talk to you conversationally while it looks through your camera. I pointed Gemini at the blank wall beneath my TV and asked for suggestions on how to decorate it. Gemini suggested that I add plants, then we switched the conversation to what plants I could buy that I wouldn’t kill in a month.
Of course, there are plenty of AI slop tools on the Pixel 9a as well. There's the standard image-generating tool that probably shouldn’t exist, for legal and ethical reasons, and it can now create images of human beings, which was forbidden in the past.
I have a big problem with these tools. They're bigoted by nature. If I ask Pixel Studio for an image of ‘a successful person,’ I get five images of young, able-bodied people. The selection may be racially diverse, but it still holds onto so many stereotypes that it should simply not be on a phone.
If I ask Pixel Studio for an image of ‘a Jewish man,’ I get the most stereotypical caricature of Jewish identity: an older man with a full beard and a head covering. If I ask for ‘a Palestinian man,’ it refuses to create anything, which is its own harmful erasure and stereotyping, as if any image of a Palestinian man should be considered potentially harmful.
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I asked Pixel Studio for "A Jewish man" and got these three images in a row (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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I asked Pixel Studio for "A Jewish man" and got these three images in a row (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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I asked Pixel Studio for "A Jewish man" and got these three images in a row (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Sorry, this Pixel has no business creating images of people if it resorts to stereotypes. I’m not sure when it became acceptable for a smartphone to reinforce bigotry, but it’s not something I’ll ever be comfortable with. Google should remove this capability from Pixel Studio immediately.
Software score: 2/5
Google Pixel 9a review: Cameras
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Surprisingly good photos that look like Pixel 9 Pro pics
Astonishing macro capabilities that rival my DSLR – seriously
I've been pleasantly surprised by the Pixel 9a’s camera capabilities. This phone continues the A-series tradition of producing photos that look almost identical to the shots you’d get from the Pro-series device, albeit at a much lower resolution.
The Pixel 9a has a 48MP camera, but it uses a pixel binning technique and will only produce images that are 12MP. Even the raw files it produces are 12MP or less.
That’s fine by me! I think 12MP is the perfect size for sharing, whether you send photos to friends or post them to your favorite social app. You won’t be able to zoom in later, and you might miss the fine details, but 12MP is a good compromise for a bargain phone. To be fair, the Pixel 9 has a 50MP camera and that phone also limits its photo output to 12MP.
I was expecting the Pixel 9a cameras to be much less capable, because the sensors have been reduced in size compared to the Pixel 8a, and are much smaller that the sensors you’ll find on the Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro. The Pixel 9a uses a half-inch sensor for the main camera, compared to the three-quarter-inch sensor on the Pixel 9.
That doesn’t sound like much, but that’s the diagonal measurement, and the actual area of the sensor in the Pixel 9a is 57% smaller than that of the sensor the Pixel 9. That means it captures much less light, which affects every other aspect of photography.
There's much bigger sensors under that big Pixel 9 bump (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Thankfully, Google’s AI photography magic has never been more powerful. Photos look great, nearly identical to Pixel 9 Pro photos, until you zoom in close. Then things get muddy, but the Pixel 9a produces images with accurate colors and good lighting. The iPhone 16e might be a little bit better, but it’s also much more expensive, and it lacks some of the Pixel 9a’s great features.
I was blown away by the new macro photography capabilities on the Pixel 9a. I shoot macro photos often with my Nikon D750 and Tamron 100mm macro lens, so I broke out the full-frame camera for a comparison test. The results were truly shocking.
Without a flash, the Pixel 9a totally outperformed my Nikon. I couldn’t hold the camera still enough for the 1/4 second exposure that it required, but the Pixel 9a had no trouble grabbing a sharp shot in the same dim light. Even with a flash attached, my Nikon wasn’t much more sharp than the Pixel 9a. The Pixel even managed to expose a wider swath of the subject than my Nikon at f/16.
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(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
This macro shot was taken with the Pixel 9a
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(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
This macro shot was taken with a Nikon D750 DSLR with a Tamron 100mm macro lens
Usually, macro photography on smartphones is a gimmick performed with a pathetic 3MP camera, but on the Pixel 9a it’s so good, at full resolution, that it offers a whole reason to consider this phone. If you like shooting macro, you’ve probably never seen a smartphone that can get this close and take photos this sharp.
Camera score: 3/5
Google Pixel 9a review: Camera samples
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That is very close up (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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A Long Exposure photo (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Google Pixel 9a review: Performance
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Adequate performance but not what I’d call fast
The AI features always slow things down
The Pixel 9a performs as well as the Pixel 9, for better and for worse. It was able to handle all of my favorite apps and all of Google’s features with little trouble, as long as I wasn’t asking the AI for anything. Except for some hiccups during my initial setup, when the interface ground to a halt while installing numerous apps and backup data, I had no trouble using the Pixel 9a as my primary work phone.
It’s still slow, objectively and subjectively. The menus and interface do not feel as snappy on the Pixel 9a as OneUI does on the Galaxy S25, for instance. It isn’t as smooth and responsive as iOS on any recent iPhone. Some apps take a bit longer to open, and when switching between apps it takes longer for the screen to populate.
I was still able to run all of my necessary apps, take video calls while browsing the web, and play my favorite games, including Call of Duty Mobile – I had to turn the settings down for better performance, but I had fun playing.
The Pixel 9a sends much of its AI computing to the cloud, and this slows down whatever process you're engaged in. Pixel Studio, for instance, generated images much faster on the Pixel 9, and it was even faster on the Pixel 9 Pro. Apparently RAM does make a big difference with these AI features.
Performance score: 3/5
Google Pixel 9 Pro review: Battery
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
The larger battery doesn’t translate to longer life
Charging speeds are also slower, but there’s wireless
One of the big advantages Google highlights with the Pixel 9a is the larger battery – a 5,100mAh cell that's bigger than the batteries in the similarly-sized Pixel 9 or Pixel 9 Pro. I didn’t see any benefit, though.
The phone lasted through a full day of use most of the time, except on days when I did a lot of work with the AI tools and cameras. Even then, battery life was acceptable, if not exceptional.
I’m not sure why this phone isn’t lasting much longer than the Pixel 9, even though its battery is 8.5% larger. Our Future Labs testing concurs. In our battery rundown test the Pixel 9a lasted at most 13 hours and eight minutes, while the Pixel 9 lasted 13 hours and 18 minutes in the same test.
That’s not terrible, but you can find longer-lasting phones in this price range. The Nothing Phone 3a Pro lasted more than an hour longer in Future Labs. The OnePlus 13R is only a bit more expensive, and it’s our battery-life champion, with hours more battery life than the competition.
The Pixel 9a does include wireless charging, which isn’t common on a bargain phone. Nothing Phone and OnePlus omit wireless charging on their budget models, though they do have much faster wired charging than Google offers.
The Pixel 9a can only charge up to 23W, which isn’t very fast. The battery wasn’t even halfway charged after 30 minutes, and it took more than an hour to get to 100% from 1%.
Battery score: 3/5
Should you buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro?
Buy it if...
You want a great bargain camera for close-ups While it lacks zoom, Google’s bargain Pixel has some of the best macro photography capabilities I’ve seen.
You want a solid phone to keep for a very long time The Pixel 9a is durable, and it'll get seven years of Android and security updates. That makes it a keeper if you want a bargain phone that will last.
You want the best AI phone features There’s a lot of AI on this phone, but the best features work with the actual Phone app to help screen calls and record important conversations.
Don't buy it if...
You want a pretty phone that you can show off Get a case for this ugly phone, or put a bag over its head. I don’t know why Google uglified its Pixel like this, but it hurts.
You don’t want to support bigoted AI image generators AI image generator tools that produce only stereotypes reinforce bigotry. This software isn’t acceptable on my smartphone and it needs to go.
Google Pixel 9a review: Also consider
Samsung Galaxy A56 You can’t buy the Galaxy A56 everywhere yet, but we got to review Samsung’s top bargain model, and it won us over with a high-quality build and great performance. Read our full Samsung Galaxy A56 review
Nothing Phone 3a Pro Like the anti-Pixel 9a, this phone is all about the cool design and showing off. The Nothing Phone doesn’t want to hide in a case, it wants to dance and party! Read our full Nothing Phone 3a Pro review
How I tested the Google Pixel 9a
I used the Google Pixel 9a for almost two weeks. I tested the phone on AT&T’s network in the greater New York area, throughout the city and suburbs. I used the Pixel 9a as my primary work phone with all of my work accounts and apps, as well as a personal phone for photos and gaming.
I tested the Pixel 9a with a Pixel Watch 3 and Pixel Buds Pro 2. I connected the phone to my car and tested Android Auto. I connected an Xbox wireless controller for gaming.
I tested the Pixel 9a camera against the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, as well as the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25. For macro photo comparisons, I compared against my Nikon D750 camera with a Tamron 100mm macro lens.
Future Labs tests phones using a mix of third-party benchmark software and proprietary, real-world tests. We use Geekbench, CrossMark, JetStream, WebXPRT and Mobile XPRT, and 3DMark for performance testing. We test a phone's performance on tasks using Adobe Premiere Rush. We also measure display color output and brightness.
For battery testing, we have proprietary rundown tests that are the same for every phone, and we determine how long it takes for the battery to run down.
The VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank is a basic power bank with a high capacity and versatile port selection, catering to various charging needs on the go.
It adopts a functional aesthetic, but looks smart enough. The large, shiny screen adds some interest, as does the linear texture of its bottom half, which also provides some useful traction when holding it in the hand.
The VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank is quite thick and long, although considering its large capacity, this is to be expected; it still isn’t much bigger than many of the best power banks with the same battery size. It’s reasonably heavy, though, so combined with its dimensions, this isn’t a battery you can easily pocket.
It feels quite solid overall, although the screen doesn’t feel the most durable or premium; and despite its large area, the actual display itself is quite small and sparse, severely underutilizing its allotted space: only the battery percentage is displayed, with no other interface features beyond this, apart from a small green symbol to signify charging, which is helpful.
The VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank has four ports, divided into two USB-A outputs, one USB-C combined input and output, and one micro USB input. Three-way simultaneous charging is also possible. Given that the USB-C port outputs the most power (20W compared to 18W for each USB-A port), it’s a shame that the VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank only comes with a USB-A-to-C cable, rather than C-to-C.
It took just over 90 minutes for the VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank to charge the 4,385mAh battery in my Google Pixel 7a completely via the USB-C port, which is a decent performance. The bank lost about a quarter of its battery life in the process, which should mean you’ll get about 3-4 charges from it, which again is commendable.
The VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank has a claimed charging time of eight hours from empty to full, thanks to the 18W input capability. Based on my tests, this figure appears to hold true.
The VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank represents good value considering its relatively low price compared to other power banks of this size. However, there are some that perhaps represent better value, such as the JUOVI J2621, which is only slightly more expensive, and despite having the same capacity, it has over double the power.
It also features two USB-C ports, but on the downside, it’s bulkier than the VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank. But considering neither is practical for pocket carry, this is somewhat of a moot point, and ultimately means that the JUOVI may be a better alternative in this case.
(Image credit: Future)
VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank review: price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank?
Buy it if…
You want plenty of capacity It has enough juice for several phone charges, thanks to that 20,000mAh rating.
You need multiple ports The two USB-A ports and one USB-C ports are certainly welcome, and there's even a micro USB port too, although this is input only.
Don't buy it if…
You want the best portability The VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank is still quite bulky, although many batteries this size are. Still, you can't exactly carry it in your pocket.
You need multiple USB-C ports It's a shame there's only one USB-C port on the VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank, given this standard is beginning to take over.
VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank review: Also consider
JUOVI J2621 20000mAh 45W Power Bank For not much more than the VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank, you could have the JUOVI J2621 instead. This has the same 20,000mAh capacity, but much more power (45W). It also has two USB-C ports rather than one, in addition to two USB-A ports. It’s bulkier than the VRURC 20000mAh 20W Power Bank, though, but neither bank is suitable for pocketing, and are better placed in a bag instead. Read our JUOVI J2621 20000mAh 45W Power Bank review.
If the joy of getting back up to 100% charge isn’t enough for you, then you simply have to check out the UGreen Nexode RG 65W. This cheerful charging robot will get your laptop, phone or tablet back to fighting fit with a smile, thanks to its LED display and accompanying emoticons.
And this charger will get not one, not two, but three devices back to 100% in no time. That’s because it has three ports: two USB-C and one USB-A. You can get up to 65W in single-port mode, 45W and up to 20W (using USB-C Port 2) in duo mode and 45W plus 7.5W in the remaining slots when tri-port charging.
In terms of actual performance, this model does very nicely too. I tried charging my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE alongside the Soundcore Space One Pro and Bose SoundLink Flex Gen 2 speaker. Despite using all three ports, the UGreen Nexode RG 65W ensured my phone – which has a 4,700mAh battery – hit full charge from 0% in just under 80 minutes. That’s the sort of speeds you’d expect to see from some of the best Android phone chargers and best iPhone chargers. Smart temperature monitoring also ensured that this lil’ robot never got too hot either.
This model will display one of three emojis depending on charging status. Closed eyes on standby, smiling when fast charging and a blank expression when trickle charging or achieving a full charge. These are all pretty fun, but not quite as emotive as the faces you get on the UGreen Uno 100W. That said, this more chibi 65W model still has a load more character than most charging plugs.
The charger’s general build quality is strong. It’s pretty weighty, though thanks to GaN technology, you still get a highly compact model. The prongs aren’t foldable – something I typically like from a wall charger – but there are some feet that you can slot the charger into when it's out of use. That’s not only a neat design quirk, but a practical addition if you want to slide the charger into your pocket without getting poked by its prongs.
Given its solid power output and charming display, I’d argue that this model is very well priced too. It has a list price of $49.99 / £34.99 (about AU$80) but can regularly be found on sale for less than $40 / £30. Given the Belkin BoostCharge 3-Port USB-C Wall Charger with PPS 67W is typically $44.99 / £39.99 / AU$89.95 and has no display, that’s an excellent price.
It’s worth noting that the price may vary depending on which color option you get, though. I tested the standard Black variant, but if you want to spice things up, you can grab this model in either Cyan or Purple – the latter is adorned in a small purple bow.
All in all, this is another great, charismatic charger from UGreen that I can recommend to anyone. It may not include a USB-C cable in the box and the emojis aren’t as captivating as the 100W model’s, but the triple port configuration, power output and LED display make it well worth its already modest list price.
(Image credit: Future)
UGreen Nexode RG 65W review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the UGreen Nexode RG 65W?
Buy it if…
You want a charger with character The standout attraction of the UGreen Nexode RG 65W is its quirky LED display. There are three different emojis that can pop up, depending on charging status. Although they’re not as detailed as the ones from this model’s 100W sibling, there’s still a lot more character here than you’ll find from the vast majority of other chargers.
You need to charge multiple devices at once Thankfully, this charger has three separate ports – two USB-C and one USB-A – meaning you can charge a bunch of devices simultaneously. And there’s plenty enough power to go around if you want to charge, say, your phone alongside a pair of the best wireless earbuds and best headphones.
Don't buy it if…
You want a top-tier laptop charger If you have one of the best MacBooks or best Chromebooks, the 65W power output might not be enough for peak charging performance, especially if you’re juicing up other devices simultaneously. If you want a bit of extra power, I highly recommend the Anker Charger 140W, 4 Port, PD 3.1, which includes a USB-C cable and a display too.
You need a USB-C cable This model doesn’t come with a USB-C cable included, so if you’re still stuck with your old USB-A alternative, you’ll have to purchase one separately. I would argue that’s worth it, but if you want a cheap all-in-one package, the Anker 335 Charger 67W is a very solid pick – more on this below.
UGreen Nexode RG 65W review: also consider
Anker 335 Charger 67W In terms of pure value, the Anker 335 Charger 67W is an awesome charging option. For less than $40 / £40, you’re getting 67W of power, three charging ports, foldable prongs and a USB-C cable – not bad at all! Sure, this isn’t the most compact charger out there and it lacks a display, but if you want a cheaper, yet effective option, this is worth considering. Read our full Anker 335 Charger 67W review.
Mid-range and budget smartphones are growing in popularity as flagship devices increasingly come with heftier price tags. That doesn’t mean the best cheap phones are slower, less durable versions of their high-end counterparts – in fact, they offer unique value to budget-conscious buyers. In this category, the Samsung Galaxy A5X series is perhaps the best example, and the A56 carries on the tradition.
Having launched alongside the A36 and A26, the Galaxy A56 is the most premium of the trio, boasting more RAM and better cameras. That doesn’t mean it’s expensive – far from it as it’s priced at just $499 / £499 / AU$699. The three siblings, however, share key features, like a 120Hz refresh rate, a 5,000mAh battery and an IP67 water- and dust-resistance rating.
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is the ideal smartphone for the average user, offering seriously fantastic showings across its cameras, display, design and battery.
The Galaxy A56 exudes class with its metal and glass design, feeling just as premium in hand and on the eyes, with a finish reminiscent of high-end devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 or the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but at a fraction of the cost.
I received the Awesome Olive model for this review – though I must admit, I had my eyes on the pink variant. Regardless of color choice, the A56’s build quality is undeniable. Improving upon the already impressive Galaxy A55 in every way, Samsung's mid-range marvel is bigger, thinner and lighter.
Featuring a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel, its display delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth visuals thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate. As someone who values high-quality screens for watching content, I was genuinely impressed.
Every inch of the Galaxy A56 looks and feels premium (Image credit: Future)
This quality continues in its battery life. It sports the same 5,000mAh battery as its predecessor, but that's still an impressive capacity in a budget phone – and my experience backs up Samsung's claim of up to 29 hours of video playback. The Samsung Galaxy A56 has also seen an upgrade from 25W to 45W charging, making top-ups faster and more convenient for most users, with a charging speed now equal to that of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Both serious and casual photographers will be happy too, as the Galaxy A56 rivals the Motorola Edge 50 Pro for the title of best budget camera phone, though it's still far away from competing with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The setup includes a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP macro camera and a 12MP front-facing shooter. Whether you're capturing night shots, macro details or everyday moments, the A56 delivers sharp, well-balanced images with a variety of useful features.
Speaking of useful features, Samsung's famous Galaxy AI isn't present in its budget line of phones. However, the sprinkling of AI features Samsung does provide – like AI photo editing, note-taking, Google Gemini functionality and more – add a tasteful amount of flair without overwhelming users who may not want AI integration.
I played Fortnite on the Galaxy A56 and it struggled (Image credit: Future)
Ironically, the one area in which the A56 isn't up to scratch – even compared to similarly priced phones – is its power. Don't get me wrong: it's still perfectly suited to the average user who wants to call, text, video chat, scroll socials, watch the best streaming services and play games like Clash Royale, but I think it could do with a touch more grunt under the hood. It's simply not the phone to buy if you need power from your handset. When playing Fortnite, for example, gameplay was seriously choppy even at low graphics settings and the minimum 20FPS.
That’s not a deal breaker, though. At its price point, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is a fantastic choice for the cost-conscious user who wants a well-balanced phone that looks and feels premium.
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: price and availability
Launch price: $499 / £499 / AU$699
Released March 19 in the UK and March 27 in Australia
Landing in the US later in 2025
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is one of the best budget phones on the market in terms of value, offering a seriously good experience for a truly wallet-friendly $499 /£499 / AU$699 price, with other phones either performing better at higher price points, or offering lesser experiences at a similar price.
Unlike the Samsung Galaxy A55, which never made it to the US market, Samsung officially confirmed on March 1 that the A56 would debut in the US "later this year", while the A36 and A26 became available on March 28 and 26 respectively.
Australians enjoy the same price on the Samsung Galaxy A56 as they did with its predecessor. However, potential owners in the UK will have to fork out an extra £60 compared to last year, with the A55 releasing for only £439.
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is only available in the 8GB RAM, 256GB storage configuration in the UK, and comes in Awesome Olive, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Lightgrey and Awesome Pink.
Importantly, while Australians only get two color options – olive and graphite – they also get two storage options, with a 128GB model priced at AU$699, and the 256GB model costing AU$799. There is also a 12GB RAM model available in select regions.
The only other comparable phone in terms of price versus performance is the near-flagship Google Pixel 9a, releasing soon at $499 / £499 / AU$849. We haven't reviewed the Pixel 9a yet, but if it continues the success of its predecessor, it makes the A56 harder to recommend in the US and UK given they are the same price.
Value score: 4.5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: specs
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: design
120Hz refresh rate
1,900-nit peak outdoors
6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display
Watching a nature documentary on the Galaxy A56 is a lovely experience (Image credit: Future)
I already loved the 6.6-inch display on the A55 – it struck a perfect balance between being comfortable to hold and offering an upgraded viewing experience over my 6.1-inch iPhone 15.
Samsung has taken that a step further with the A56, making it even more comfortable in hand while increasing the screen size to 6.7 inches for an even better entertainment experience. Whether I was watching videos, reading, gaming or video calling, the 1080 x 2340 Super AMOLED display provided one of the best viewing experiences I’ve had on a budget smartphone.
Peak brightness is fine on the Galaxy A56 home screen, but it could be better (Image credit: Future)
The only noticeable cost-cutting comes in the display’s peak brightness. While I never struggled to see the screen, its 1,200-nit brightness is lower than I’d like to see in 2025 – though it does bump up to 1,900 in direct sunlight. While this improves on the Galaxy A55’s 1,000-nit peak, it falls short of competitors like the Google Pixel 9a (2,700 nits) and the Poco F6 Pro (4,000 nits).
In every other aspect, though, the A56’s display feels truly premium. It’s even protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Invictus, adding durability against scratches and drops. While I didn’t test a full 2m drop onto concrete, a few accidental drops left it completely unscathed.
Display score: 4.5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: design
Thinner and lighter than the Galaxy A55
Gorilla Glass Invictus
IP67 water and dustproof rating
The Samsung Galaxy A56 in the Olive looks quite good even though it's my least favorite color (Image credit: Future)
I loved the Samsung Galaxy A55, particularly its design – a blend of metal and glass that gave it a supremely premium feel at a truly budget price. The A56 improves on that in every way – refining an already impressive formula. I received the Awesome Olive colorway, which was probably my least favorite of the four options, yet I was still thoroughly impressed by how good it looks.
The A56 features a slightly larger 6.7-inch display (up from 6.6 inches) and is about a millimeter taller and wider to accommodate the bigger screen. Bigger may not always be better, but Samsung has offset the increased size with a 1.2mm reduction in thickness and a significant 15g drop in weight – making an exceptional design near perfect.
Or perhaps just perfect. Not only does the metal frame enhance the phone’s premium feel and sturdy build, but Samsung has also added subtle ridges to the frame – something I don’t recall seeing or feeling on the A55 when I reviewed it. The ridges didn’t necessarily improve the grip for me, but they served as a satisfying fidget point when I ran my fingers across them.
The slightly ridged chassis edges don't necessarily improve grip, but I don't mind it at all (Image credit: Future)
That’s about all the superlatives I can give the A56’s design. It’s everything you want a phone to look and feel like, regardless of its price. It’s also protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, offering excellent resistance against scratches and drops.
As with avoiding the 2m drop test, I didn’t throw the IP67-rated Galaxy A56 in the bath; however, my colleagues and I have spent plenty of time with Gorilla Glass to know how good the durability can be – and I had absolutely no issue the few times I did get the phone wet while doing the dishes and walking in the rain.
Big, beautiful, lightweight, and impressively durable, the A56 is an exceptionally designed piece of technology. The fact that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg makes it all the more impressive.
Design score: 5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: software
No full Galaxy AI suite, but some “Awesome Intelligence” features are available
Six years of software and security support
Plenty of UI customizations with new Now Bar feature
The software package on Samsung's cheaper phones are as good as that on the flagships (Image credit: Future)
From a software perspective, the Samsung Galaxy A56 might be the most impressive budget-focused phone I’ve personally used. And that’s despite my colleagues praising the Google Pixel 8a for bringing Google’s AI tools to a wider audience. That’s not to say the A56 misses out entirely on AI features – it has a smattering of useful ones that won’t overwhelm the average user – but if AI is your top priority, you’ll need to shell out for the Samsung Galaxy S25 or wait for the Pixel 9a.
The AI-powered tools in the A56 aren’t being called Galaxy AI, instead appearing under the branding “Awesome Intelligence”, although similarities abound.
Samsung lays these features out neatly within the Settings menu and includes tools that let you remove objects from photos, capture the perfect group photo and receive AI-powered suggestions for improving images during editing.
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A screenshot of the Galaxy A56's AI remastering tool (Image credit: Future)
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Removing objects with the object eraser – see the next image for results (Image credit: Future)
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Same image with several objects in the background removed with AI (Image credit: Future)
That's far from it, though. Within the camera app, you can create Custom Filters based on mood and style, quickly edit videos with Auto Trim or even translate real-world text when in foreign lands with Bixby Vision. AI Select provides suggested actions when you highlight something on-screen, Read Aloud will read articles or passages aloud for you, and you even get Google's Circle to Search tool.
That’s about it for AI, but there's plenty more to love about the Galaxy A56's software. For starters, you get an exceptionally clean user experience with minimal pre-installed bloatware.
Customization options are also extensive. On the wallpaper front, there are featured selections, interesting graphic designs and a variety of colors with different personalization options within. You can also set a dynamic lock screen that changes wallpapers every time you unlock the device, with five categories to choose from.
And that’s just the beginning. Once you settle on a wallpaper color, you can customize the system-wide color palette to match – or opt for basic colors instead. If that’s not enough, you can buy a full theme from the Galaxy Themes store to overhaul your device's entire aesthetic.
If you don't like the themes on offer, you can spend a little extra cash on purchasing a new one direct from the phone (Image credit: Future)
You can choose between a traditional home screen or one with a separate app drawer, adjust icon sizes, and independently tweak the grid layout for the home screen, app drawer and folders.
One of my favorite additions, though, is the Now Bar. Originally a flagship feature in One UI 7, I was surprised (and delighted) to see it make its way to Samsung’s budget line.
It may seem like a small addition, but it can be an incredibly useful tool. Acting much like Apple’s Dynamic Island, the Now Bar sits at the bottom of the lock screen, working as a media manager that displays your current song or countdown timer, or displaying live notifications for specific apps like Maps, Samsung Health, Clock, Voice Recorder, Samsung Notes and Emergency Sharing.
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The new Now Bar feature is nice to have on a budget phone (Image credit: Future)
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Just tap it from the lock screen to open further actions (Image credit: Future)
With flagship-level features and a remarkably clean UI, the Samsung Galaxy A56 delivers an outstanding user experience for a budget phone. It also strikes a perfect balance with AI – offering just enough functionality to be useful for those who want it, while remaining unobtrusive for those who don’t.
And, more than just the cherry on top, especially for penny-pinching buyers, is the fact that the Galaxy A56 will see six years of security support and software updates – letting you enjoy its value for years to come.
Software score: 4.5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: cameras
Rear camera trio with 50MP main
12MP front camera
Helpful AI tools like Best Face
Unless you have a specific need – like top-tier gaming performance or a battery that can handle marathon sessions – a smartphone’s camera is arguably one of its most important features. From a parent wanting to capture family moments, a hobbyist hiker aiming for the perfect summit selfie, to a serious photographer looking for a reliable backup, any phone worth considering needs to nail its camera. And the Samsung Galaxy A56 does just that.
Simply put, the Galaxy A56 takes some seriously good photos – at any distance.
Its rear camera array includes a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. While a higher megapixel count is great, it’s the phone’s image processing that determines the results.
The Galaxy A55 struggled with this: while it produced crisp, well-defined shots, many mid-range and budget phones tend to over-process images, making colors look too saturated and unnatural. The A56 avoids both extremes. While photos come out slightly cooler than I’d prefer, they’re impressively natural, detailed and well balanced.
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Skyscraper with the 50MP main camera (Image credit: Future)
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Capturing the beautiful blue sky (Image credit: Future)
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A kookaburra sitting with the 12MP ultra-wide (Image credit: Future)
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The same kookaburra, captured with 10x zoom (Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
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Sunny mornings with 1x zoom (Image credit: Future)
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Same trees in 2x zoom (Image credit: Future)
The camera app includes several modes: Fun (which applies Snapchat-like filters), Portrait, Photo, and Video. It also allows easy toggling between the 12MP and 50MP lenses, quick filter application, aspect-ratio adjustments, and motion-photo settings.
For video, you can enable Super Steady mode to counteract shaky hands or turn it off to adjust frame rates: Space-saving HD at 30fps, Full HD at up to 60p, and Ultra HD at 30fps. Auto Framing keeps subjects centered automatically.
That’s not all – Samsung delivers a feature-rich camera experience on a budget here. Tapping ‘More’ unlocks additional modes, including Pro, Pro Video, Night, Food, Panorama, Macro, Slow Motion, Hyperlapse, Dual Rec, and Single Take.
When it comes to macro and night photography, the A56 is one of the more impressive budget phones I’ve used. Macro shots are often incredibly difficult to get right, especially if your subject isn't still, but I had no issue with the A56. And while taking photos in the middle of the night might not be common practice, the A56 performed impressively in low-light environments – taking clear snaps even with almost zero light present.
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The Galaxy A56's macro lens gets good results even when the subject is swaying in the wind or slowly crawling (Image credit: Future)
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Bluey and Bingo captured in night mode (Image credit: Future)
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The same photo with night mode turned off (Image credit: Future)
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The same photo with the (weak) light turned on (Image credit: Future)
The Samsung Galaxy A56 isn’t the best camera phone I’ve ever used, nor is it necessarily the camera phone I've used in this price range – that battle is fought between the Pixel 8a and Motorola Edge 50 Pro – but it continues the A56’s overarching theme: consistent, excellent performance across the board.
Camera score: 4/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: performance
Performs well under long periods of stress
Not built for gaming
While Fortnite looks good on the Galaxy A56, the phone struggles with high-intensity tasks (Image credit: Future)
The Samsung Galaxy A56's weakest feature is without a doubt its performance. That’s not to say it’s bad – as I’ve previously mentioned, it’s more than enough for the average user. But to keep prices down, concessions have to be made. For some cheap phones, it's a lower-quality display or increased fragility. In the case of the Galaxy A56 and its Exynos 1580 chipset, it was how it performed under heavier loads – like mobile gaming.
In our Geekbench benchmark tests – which measure the phone's CPU performance in everyday tasks and GPU performance in real-world applications, the A56 performed well – beating the gaming-powered Poco F6 Pro, and only falling a few hundred points short of the Pixel 9.
However, in our two 3DMark benchmarks – Wild Life and Wild Life Extreme – that test the overall graphics performance and how the phone deals with both high performance in short bursts, it didn't look so good.
Its numbers aren't necessarily bad. In fact, it showed a massive improvement over the A55 in both. However, its single and multi-core scores of 1,330 and 3,759 weren't too far ahead of the Motorola Edge 50 Pro (1,132 / 3,076) – which isn't known for its gaming power. The A56 was also thoroughly beaten by the Poco F6 Pro (1,375 / 4733), and both phones can easily be found for around the same price or less.
In terms of sustained performance though, the A56 was impressive. In the Wild Life Extreme Stress Test – a 20-minute benchmark that assesses stability under heavy loads – it scored a top loop of 4,907, a low of 4,649, an impressive 94.9% stability and remained cool temperature-wise. For reference, I've seen the S25 Ultra score higher peaks, but also show less stability in this test, dropping to a loop score of less than 3,000.
As good as some of those numbers look on paper, it was a different experience during real-world use, with the A56 struggling when I played games like Fortnite Mobile – it failed to maintain even 20FPS, frequently stuttering on the lowest graphics settings. For comparison, the similarly priced Poco F6 Pro easily sustains 60FPS at high settings for hours.
11FPS while playing Fortnite on the Galaxy A56 was the best I could do (Image credit: Future)
That said, these results still mark a significant improvement over the A55, a phone I loved when I tested it last year. The benchmark numbers may not impress, but they don’t take away from the A56’s status as an excellent budget phone for the average user, and I can attest that it holds up really well for the daily duties you’d want from a smartphone.
Performance score: 3.5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: battery
5,000 mAh battery that easily sees you through the day
45W wired charging
It's not groundbreaking, but the battery life is quite impressive (Image credit: Future)
Keeping in line with its display, design, performance and cameras, the battery of the Samsung Galaxy A56 is perfectly suited to the average user.
My daily testing routine started at 5:30am, with an hour-long podcast while I walked the dog, followed by a quick music-fuelled workout accompanied by music before getting ready for work. Then there was about an hour of scrolling and listening during my commute, before I arrived at the office, where I’d use it for background music via a set of Bluetooth headphones.
Naturally, I needed a phone that could keep up, and the A56’s 5,000mAh battery delivered. Samsung claims the device offers up to 29 hours of video playback, so I put it to the test. Watching a YouTube video at 50% brightness, I picked up the phone 18 hours later to find it still had 39% battery remaining.
As another test, I played The Dark Knight Rises twice back-to-back (totaling 5 hours, 30 minutes) at 50% brightness, and the phone lost just 27% battery. Though these tests were conducted in different environments and with varying starting percentages, the results reinforced one thing: the A56 can go the distance.
For everyday use – texting, calling, video chatting, scrolling social media, checking emails and some light gaming – the A56 is more than up to the task, easily lasting a full day.
As for charging, you won’t get ultra-fast speeds like 120W or even 67W, but the A56 does offer 45W fast charging – an upgrade from the middling 25W speed of the Galaxy A55. That puts the new budget phone on par with itsGalaxy S25 Ultra cousin.
Using a 67W wall charger, the A56 gained:
• 8% in 5 minutes • Just under 30% in 15 minutes • A little over 55% in 30 minutes • A full charge in around 85 minutes
A 5,000mAh battery is far from an astounding inclusion in a specs list in 2025, but it’s still a notable positive. Paired with moderately fast charging, the A56’s battery – like the rest of the phone – is great.
And while 120W or even 67W charging is a helpful addition when you have it, it's far from necessary – and 55% battery in a quick 30-minute charge is plenty if you forget to plug it in overnight on the rare occasion.
Battery score: 4/5
Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy A56?
Buy it if...
You want a large display without spending top dollar
The Samsung Galaxy A56's 6.7-inch display is an expansive screen that improves upon its predecessor, rivals the S25 series, and produces a vibrant and immersive experience.
You want a jack-of-all-trades handset The A56 excels as an all-around performer, balancing design, display, camera and battery life in a way that caters to a wide range of needs. It handles daily tasks like texting, social media and video calls seamlessly, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable, versatile phone.
You're shopping for value on a budget If you’re after a phone that offers impressive features without breaking the bank, the A56 is a standout option. With a solid camera, long-lasting battery and smooth performance, it provides excellent value for those seeking a capable device without spending a fortune.
Don't buy it if...
You're a serious mobile gamer While the A56 can handle light gaming, it’s not built for heavy gaming sessions or more intense games. If you're looking for a phone that can deliver high frame rates and smooth performance in graphically intense games, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
You want the best AI tools The A56 offers basic AI features, but if you’re after the cutting-edge AI tools, you’ll need to shell out more for the likes of the Galaxy S25 or the Pixel 9 flagships.
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: also consider
Google Pixel 9a We loved the Google Pixel 8a, and we're expecting five big upgrades from the Pixel 9a – namely a wealth of AI features alongside possibly the best camera on the market at its price and a 5,100mAh battery. Easily the biggest competitor to the Galaxy A56, if you want AI and cameras, it might be the better choice.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro If you have more of a mobile gaming focus, but still want a phone that offers solid all-round performance and 120W charging, consider the Poco F6 Pro. Its bloatware will be confronting for first-time users, but once you get past that, it's a very good smartphone at this price range. Read our full Poco F6 Pro review
Apple iPhone 16e Android devices offer a greater amount of value compared to iPhones, with even older Apple devices still asking for a considerable price. However, the iPhone 16e offers Apple Intelligence, smooth performance and seamless Apple integration at a much more affordable price than the mainline iPhone 16 family. Read our full Apple iPhone 16e review
How I tested the Samsung Galaxy A56
Review test period: 3 weeks
Testing included: Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
The Samsung Galaxy A56 was my sole mobile device for the three weeks I spent with it, and I frankly wish I didn't have to return it after my testing period. As my regular daily device, I used it to listen to podcasts, check social media, watch YouTube and text, with some light reading thrown in. Oh, and a whole heap of dog photos.
Of course, I also put the Galaxy A56 through its paces with Geekbench 6 and 3DMark benchmark tests to see how the phone would handle activities that I may not use in my regular daily use, but someone else might. I did these tests several times, in different environments and different battery stages to ensure accurate results.
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This leads me to my gaming tests. It's always nice when you can make playing games part of your job, but I'm far from a mobile gamer. I love Marvel Snap, enjoy a few rounds of Clash Royale and dabble in some Wordle and Connections every now and then, but that's it. As part of my testing, I did play – or attempt to play – more serious mobile games like Fortnite on my Galaxy A56 to see how it would handle the life of a mobile gamer.
Given my experience testing other budget phones, including the Samsung Galaxy A55, I was equipped with the knowledge to make good comparisons with the A56.
Mid-range and budget smartphones are growing in popularity as flagship devices increasingly come with heftier price tags. That doesn’t mean the best cheap phones are slower, less durable versions of their high-end counterparts – in fact, they offer unique value to budget-conscious buyers. In this category, the Samsung Galaxy A5X series is perhaps the best example, and the A56 carries on the tradition.
Having launched alongside the A36 and A26, the Galaxy A56 is the most premium of the trio, boasting more RAM and better cameras. That doesn’t mean it’s expensive – far from it as it’s priced at just $499 / £499 / AU$699. The three siblings, however, share key features, like a 120Hz refresh rate, a 5,000mAh battery and an IP67 water- and dust-resistance rating.
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is the ideal smartphone for the average user, offering seriously fantastic showings across its cameras, display, design and battery.
The Galaxy A56 exudes class with its metal and glass design, feeling just as premium in hand and on the eyes, with a finish reminiscent of high-end devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 or the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but at a fraction of the cost.
I received the Awesome Olive model for this review – though I must admit, I had my eyes on the pink variant. Regardless of color choice, the A56’s build quality is undeniable. Improving upon the already impressive Galaxy A55 in every way, Samsung's mid-range marvel is bigger, thinner and lighter.
Featuring a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel, its display delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth visuals thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate. As someone who values high-quality screens for watching content, I was genuinely impressed.
Every inch of the Galaxy A56 looks and feels premium (Image credit: Future)
This quality continues in its battery life. It sports the same 5,000mAh battery as its predecessor, but that's still an impressive capacity in a budget phone – and my experience backs up Samsung's claim of up to 29 hours of video playback. The Samsung Galaxy A56 has also seen an upgrade from 25W to 45W charging, making top-ups faster and more convenient for most users, with a charging speed now equal to that of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Both serious and casual photographers will be happy too, as the Galaxy A56 rivals the Motorola Edge 50 Pro for the title of best budget camera phone, though it's still far away from competing with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The setup includes a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP macro camera and a 12MP front-facing shooter. Whether you're capturing night shots, macro details or everyday moments, the A56 delivers sharp, well-balanced images with a variety of useful features.
Speaking of useful features, Samsung's famous Galaxy AI isn't present in its budget line of phones. However, the sprinkling of AI features Samsung does provide – like AI photo editing, note-taking, Google Gemini functionality and more – add a tasteful amount of flair without overwhelming users who may not want AI integration.
I played Fortnite on the Galaxy A56 and it struggled (Image credit: Future)
Ironically, the one area in which the A56 isn't up to scratch – even compared to similarly priced phones – is its power. Don't get me wrong: it's still perfectly suited to the average user who wants to call, text, video chat, scroll socials, watch the best streaming services and play games like Clash Royale, but I think it could do with a touch more grunt under the hood. It's simply not the phone to buy if you need power from your handset. When playing Fortnite, for example, gameplay was seriously choppy even at low graphics settings and the minimum 20FPS.
That’s not a deal breaker, though. At its price point, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is a fantastic choice for the cost-conscious user who wants a well-balanced phone that looks and feels premium.
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: price and availability
Launch price: $499 / £499 / AU$699
Released March 19 in the UK and March 27 in Australia
Landing in the US later in 2025
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is one of the best budget phones on the market in terms of value, offering a seriously good experience for a truly wallet-friendly $499 /£499 / AU$699 price, with other phones either performing better at higher price points, or offering lesser experiences at a similar price.
Unlike the Samsung Galaxy A55, which never made it to the US market, Samsung officially confirmed on March 1 that the A56 would debut in the US "later this year", while the A36 and A26 became available on March 28 and 26 respectively.
Australians enjoy the same price on the Samsung Galaxy A56 as they did with its predecessor. However, potential owners in the UK will have to fork out an extra £60 compared to last year, with the A55 releasing for only £439.
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is only available in the 8GB RAM, 256GB storage configuration in the UK, and comes in Awesome Olive, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Lightgrey and Awesome Pink.
Importantly, while Australians only get two color options – olive and graphite – they also get two storage options, with a 128GB model priced at AU$699, and the 256GB model costing AU$799. There is also a 12GB RAM model available in select regions.
The only other comparable phone in terms of price versus performance is the near-flagship Google Pixel 9a, releasing soon at $499 / £499 / AU$849. We haven't reviewed the Pixel 9a yet, but if it continues the success of its predecessor, it makes the A56 harder to recommend in the US and UK given they are the same price.
Value score: 4.5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: specs
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: design
120Hz refresh rate
1,900-nit peak outdoors
6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display
Watching a nature documentary on the Galaxy A56 is a lovely experience (Image credit: Future)
I already loved the 6.6-inch display on the A55 – it struck a perfect balance between being comfortable to hold and offering an upgraded viewing experience over my 6.1-inch iPhone 15.
Samsung has taken that a step further with the A56, making it even more comfortable in hand while increasing the screen size to 6.7 inches for an even better entertainment experience. Whether I was watching videos, reading, gaming or video calling, the 1080 x 2340 Super AMOLED display provided one of the best viewing experiences I’ve had on a budget smartphone.
Peak brightness is fine on the Galaxy A56 home screen, but it could be better (Image credit: Future)
The only noticeable cost-cutting comes in the display’s peak brightness. While I never struggled to see the screen, its 1,200-nit brightness is lower than I’d like to see in 2025 – though it does bump up to 1,900 in direct sunlight. While this improves on the Galaxy A55’s 1,000-nit peak, it falls short of competitors like the Google Pixel 9a (2,700 nits) and the Poco F6 Pro (4,000 nits).
In every other aspect, though, the A56’s display feels truly premium. It’s even protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Invictus, adding durability against scratches and drops. While I didn’t test a full 2m drop onto concrete, a few accidental drops left it completely unscathed.
Display score: 4.5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: design
Thinner and lighter than the Galaxy A55
Gorilla Glass Invictus
IP67 water and dustproof rating
The Samsung Galaxy A56 in the Olive looks quite good even though it's my least favorite color (Image credit: Future)
I loved the Samsung Galaxy A55, particularly its design – a blend of metal and glass that gave it a supremely premium feel at a truly budget price. The A56 improves on that in every way – refining an already impressive formula. I received the Awesome Olive colorway, which was probably my least favorite of the four options, yet I was still thoroughly impressed by how good it looks.
The A56 features a slightly larger 6.7-inch display (up from 6.6 inches) and is about a millimeter taller and wider to accommodate the bigger screen. Bigger may not always be better, but Samsung has offset the increased size with a 1.2mm reduction in thickness and a significant 15g drop in weight – making an exceptional design near perfect.
Or perhaps just perfect. Not only does the metal frame enhance the phone’s premium feel and sturdy build, but Samsung has also added subtle ridges to the frame – something I don’t recall seeing or feeling on the A55 when I reviewed it. The ridges didn’t necessarily improve the grip for me, but they served as a satisfying fidget point when I ran my fingers across them.
The slightly ridged chassis edges don't necessarily improve grip, but I don't mind it at all (Image credit: Future)
That’s about all the superlatives I can give the A56’s design. It’s everything you want a phone to look and feel like, regardless of its price. It’s also protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, offering excellent resistance against scratches and drops.
As with avoiding the 2m drop test, I didn’t throw the IP67-rated Galaxy A56 in the bath; however, my colleagues and I have spent plenty of time with Gorilla Glass to know how good the durability can be – and I had absolutely no issue the few times I did get the phone wet while doing the dishes and walking in the rain.
Big, beautiful, lightweight, and impressively durable, the A56 is an exceptionally designed piece of technology. The fact that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg makes it all the more impressive.
Design score: 5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: software
No full Galaxy AI suite, but some “Awesome Intelligence” features are available
Six years of software and security support
Plenty of UI customizations with new Now Bar feature
The software package on Samsung's cheaper phones are as good as that on the flagships (Image credit: Future)
From a software perspective, the Samsung Galaxy A56 might be the most impressive budget-focused phone I’ve personally used. And that’s despite my colleagues praising the Google Pixel 8a for bringing Google’s AI tools to a wider audience. That’s not to say the A56 misses out entirely on AI features – it has a smattering of useful ones that won’t overwhelm the average user – but if AI is your top priority, you’ll need to shell out for the Samsung Galaxy S25 or wait for the Pixel 9a.
The AI-powered tools in the A56 aren’t being called Galaxy AI, instead appearing under the branding “Awesome Intelligence”, although similarities abound.
Samsung lays these features out neatly within the Settings menu and includes tools that let you remove objects from photos, capture the perfect group photo and receive AI-powered suggestions for improving images during editing.
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A screenshot of the Galaxy A56's AI remastering tool (Image credit: Future)
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Removing objects with the object eraser – see the next image for results (Image credit: Future)
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Same image with several objects in the background removed with AI (Image credit: Future)
That's far from it, though. Within the camera app, you can create Custom Filters based on mood and style, quickly edit videos with Auto Trim or even translate real-world text when in foreign lands with Bixby Vision. AI Select provides suggested actions when you highlight something on-screen, Read Aloud will read articles or passages aloud for you, and you even get Google's Circle to Search tool.
That’s about it for AI, but there's plenty more to love about the Galaxy A56's software. For starters, you get an exceptionally clean user experience with minimal pre-installed bloatware.
Customization options are also extensive. On the wallpaper front, there are featured selections, interesting graphic designs and a variety of colors with different personalization options within. You can also set a dynamic lock screen that changes wallpapers every time you unlock the device, with five categories to choose from.
And that’s just the beginning. Once you settle on a wallpaper color, you can customize the system-wide color palette to match – or opt for basic colors instead. If that’s not enough, you can buy a full theme from the Galaxy Themes store to overhaul your device's entire aesthetic.
If you don't like the themes on offer, you can spend a little extra cash on purchasing a new one direct from the phone (Image credit: Future)
You can choose between a traditional home screen or one with a separate app drawer, adjust icon sizes, and independently tweak the grid layout for the home screen, app drawer and folders.
One of my favorite additions, though, is the Now Bar. Originally a flagship feature in One UI 7, I was surprised (and delighted) to see it make its way to Samsung’s budget line.
It may seem like a small addition, but it can be an incredibly useful tool. Acting much like Apple’s Dynamic Island, the Now Bar sits at the bottom of the lock screen, working as a media manager that displays your current song or countdown timer, or displaying live notifications for specific apps like Maps, Samsung Health, Clock, Voice Recorder, Samsung Notes and Emergency Sharing.
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The new Now Bar feature is nice to have on a budget phone (Image credit: Future)
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Just tap it from the lock screen to open further actions (Image credit: Future)
With flagship-level features and a remarkably clean UI, the Samsung Galaxy A56 delivers an outstanding user experience for a budget phone. It also strikes a perfect balance with AI – offering just enough functionality to be useful for those who want it, while remaining unobtrusive for those who don’t.
And, more than just the cherry on top, especially for penny-pinching buyers, is the fact that the Galaxy A56 will see six years of security support and software updates – letting you enjoy its value for years to come.
Software score: 4.5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: cameras
Rear camera trio with 50MP main
12MP front camera
Helpful AI tools like Best Face
Unless you have a specific need – like top-tier gaming performance or a battery that can handle marathon sessions – a smartphone’s camera is arguably one of its most important features. From a parent wanting to capture family moments, a hobbyist hiker aiming for the perfect summit selfie, to a serious photographer looking for a reliable backup, any phone worth considering needs to nail its camera. And the Samsung Galaxy A56 does just that.
Simply put, the Galaxy A56 takes some seriously good photos – at any distance.
Its rear camera array includes a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. While a higher megapixel count is great, it’s the phone’s image processing that determines the results.
The Galaxy A55 struggled with this: while it produced crisp, well-defined shots, many mid-range and budget phones tend to over-process images, making colors look too saturated and unnatural. The A56 avoids both extremes. While photos come out slightly cooler than I’d prefer, they’re impressively natural, detailed and well balanced.
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Skyscraper with the 50MP main camera (Image credit: Future)
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Capturing the beautiful blue sky (Image credit: Future)
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A kookaburra sitting with the 12MP ultra-wide (Image credit: Future)
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The same kookaburra, captured with 10x zoom (Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
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Sunny mornings with 1x zoom (Image credit: Future)
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Same trees in 2x zoom (Image credit: Future)
The camera app includes several modes: Fun (which applies Snapchat-like filters), Portrait, Photo, and Video. It also allows easy toggling between the 12MP and 50MP lenses, quick filter application, aspect-ratio adjustments, and motion-photo settings.
For video, you can enable Super Steady mode to counteract shaky hands or turn it off to adjust frame rates: Space-saving HD at 30fps, Full HD at up to 60p, and Ultra HD at 30fps. Auto Framing keeps subjects centered automatically.
That’s not all – Samsung delivers a feature-rich camera experience on a budget here. Tapping ‘More’ unlocks additional modes, including Pro, Pro Video, Night, Food, Panorama, Macro, Slow Motion, Hyperlapse, Dual Rec, and Single Take.
When it comes to macro and night photography, the A56 is one of the more impressive budget phones I’ve used. Macro shots are often incredibly difficult to get right, especially if your subject isn't still, but I had no issue with the A56. And while taking photos in the middle of the night might not be common practice, the A56 performed impressively in low-light environments – taking clear snaps even with almost zero light present.
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The Galaxy A56's macro lens gets good results even when the subject is swaying in the wind or slowly crawling (Image credit: Future)
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Bluey and Bingo captured in night mode (Image credit: Future)
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The same photo with night mode turned off (Image credit: Future)
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The same photo with the (weak) light turned on (Image credit: Future)
The Samsung Galaxy A56 isn’t the best camera phone I’ve ever used, nor is it necessarily the camera phone I've used in this price range – that battle is fought between the Pixel 8a and Motorola Edge 50 Pro – but it continues the A56’s overarching theme: consistent, excellent performance across the board.
Camera score: 4/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: performance
Performs well under long periods of stress
Not built for gaming
While Fortnite looks good on the Galaxy A56, the phone struggles with high-intensity tasks (Image credit: Future)
The Samsung Galaxy A56's weakest feature is without a doubt its performance. That’s not to say it’s bad – as I’ve previously mentioned, it’s more than enough for the average user. But to keep prices down, concessions have to be made. For some cheap phones, it's a lower-quality display or increased fragility. In the case of the Galaxy A56 and its Exynos 1580 chipset, it was how it performed under heavier loads – like mobile gaming.
In our Geekbench benchmark tests – which measure the phone's CPU performance in everyday tasks and GPU performance in real-world applications, the A56 performed well – beating the gaming-powered Poco F6 Pro, and only falling a few hundred points short of the Pixel 9.
However, in our two 3DMark benchmarks – Wild Life and Wild Life Extreme – that test the overall graphics performance and how the phone deals with both high performance in short bursts, it didn't look so good.
Its numbers aren't necessarily bad. In fact, it showed a massive improvement over the A55 in both. However, its single and multi-core scores of 1,330 and 3,759 weren't too far ahead of the Motorola Edge 50 Pro (1,132 / 3,076) – which isn't known for its gaming power. The A56 was also thoroughly beaten by the Poco F6 Pro (1,375 / 4733), and both phones can easily be found for around the same price or less.
In terms of sustained performance though, the A56 was impressive. In the Wild Life Extreme Stress Test – a 20-minute benchmark that assesses stability under heavy loads – it scored a top loop of 4,907, a low of 4,649, an impressive 94.9% stability and remained cool temperature-wise. For reference, I've seen the S25 Ultra score higher peaks, but also show less stability in this test, dropping to a loop score of less than 3,000.
As good as some of those numbers look on paper, it was a different experience during real-world use, with the A56 struggling when I played games like Fortnite Mobile – it failed to maintain even 20FPS, frequently stuttering on the lowest graphics settings. For comparison, the similarly priced Poco F6 Pro easily sustains 60FPS at high settings for hours.
11FPS while playing Fortnite on the Galaxy A56 was the best I could do (Image credit: Future)
That said, these results still mark a significant improvement over the A55, a phone I loved when I tested it last year. The benchmark numbers may not impress, but they don’t take away from the A56’s status as an excellent budget phone for the average user, and I can attest that it holds up really well for the daily duties you’d want from a smartphone.
Performance score: 3.5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: battery
5,000 mAh battery that easily sees you through the day
45W wired charging
It's not groundbreaking, but the battery life is quite impressive (Image credit: Future)
Keeping in line with its display, design, performance and cameras, the battery of the Samsung Galaxy A56 is perfectly suited to the average user.
My daily testing routine started at 5:30am, with an hour-long podcast while I walked the dog, followed by a quick music-fuelled workout accompanied by music before getting ready for work. Then there was about an hour of scrolling and listening during my commute, before I arrived at the office, where I’d use it for background music via a set of Bluetooth headphones.
Naturally, I needed a phone that could keep up, and the A56’s 5,000mAh battery delivered. Samsung claims the device offers up to 29 hours of video playback, so I put it to the test. Watching a YouTube video at 50% brightness, I picked up the phone 18 hours later to find it still had 39% battery remaining.
As another test, I played The Dark Knight Rises twice back-to-back (totaling 5 hours, 30 minutes) at 50% brightness, and the phone lost just 27% battery. Though these tests were conducted in different environments and with varying starting percentages, the results reinforced one thing: the A56 can go the distance.
For everyday use – texting, calling, video chatting, scrolling social media, checking emails and some light gaming – the A56 is more than up to the task, easily lasting a full day.
As for charging, you won’t get ultra-fast speeds like 120W or even 67W, but the A56 does offer 45W fast charging – an upgrade from the middling 25W speed of the Galaxy A55. That puts the new budget phone on par with itsGalaxy S25 Ultra cousin.
Using a 67W wall charger, the A56 gained:
• 8% in 5 minutes • Just under 30% in 15 minutes • A little over 55% in 30 minutes • A full charge in around 85 minutes
A 5,000mAh battery is far from an astounding inclusion in a specs list in 2025, but it’s still a notable positive. Paired with moderately fast charging, the A56’s battery – like the rest of the phone – is great.
And while 120W or even 67W charging is a helpful addition when you have it, it's far from necessary – and 55% battery in a quick 30-minute charge is plenty if you forget to plug it in overnight on the rare occasion.
Battery score: 4/5
Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy A56?
Buy it if...
You want a large display without spending top dollar
The Samsung Galaxy A56's 6.7-inch display is an expansive screen that improves upon its predecessor, rivals the S25 series, and produces a vibrant and immersive experience.
You want a jack-of-all-trades handset The A56 excels as an all-around performer, balancing design, display, camera and battery life in a way that caters to a wide range of needs. It handles daily tasks like texting, social media and video calls seamlessly, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable, versatile phone.
You're shopping for value on a budget If you’re after a phone that offers impressive features without breaking the bank, the A56 is a standout option. With a solid camera, long-lasting battery and smooth performance, it provides excellent value for those seeking a capable device without spending a fortune.
Don't buy it if...
You're a serious mobile gamer While the A56 can handle light gaming, it’s not built for heavy gaming sessions or more intense games. If you're looking for a phone that can deliver high frame rates and smooth performance in graphically intense games, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
You want the best AI tools The A56 offers basic AI features, but if you’re after the cutting-edge AI tools, you’ll need to shell out more for the likes of the Galaxy S25 or the Pixel 9 flagships.
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: also consider
Google Pixel 9a We loved the Google Pixel 8a, and we're expecting five big upgrades from the Pixel 9a – namely a wealth of AI features alongside possibly the best camera on the market at its price and a 5,100mAh battery. Easily the biggest competitor to the Galaxy A56, if you want AI and cameras, it might be the better choice.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro If you have more of a mobile gaming focus, but still want a phone that offers solid all-round performance and 120W charging, consider the Poco F6 Pro. Its bloatware will be confronting for first-time users, but once you get past that, it's a very good smartphone at this price range. Read our full Poco F6 Pro review
Apple iPhone 16e Android devices offer a greater amount of value compared to iPhones, with even older Apple devices still asking for a considerable price. However, the iPhone 16e offers Apple Intelligence, smooth performance and seamless Apple integration at a much more affordable price than the mainline iPhone 16 family. Read our full Apple iPhone 16e review
How I tested the Samsung Galaxy A56
Review test period: 3 weeks
Testing included: Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
The Samsung Galaxy A56 was my sole mobile device for the three weeks I spent with it, and I frankly wish I didn't have to return it after my testing period. As my regular daily device, I used it to listen to podcasts, check social media, watch YouTube and text, with some light reading thrown in. Oh, and a whole heap of dog photos.
Of course, I also put the Galaxy A56 through its paces with Geekbench 6 and 3DMark benchmark tests to see how the phone would handle activities that I may not use in my regular daily use, but someone else might. I did these tests several times, in different environments and different battery stages to ensure accurate results.
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This leads me to my gaming tests. It's always nice when you can make playing games part of your job, but I'm far from a mobile gamer. I love Marvel Snap, enjoy a few rounds of Clash Royale and dabble in some Wordle and Connections every now and then, but that's it. As part of my testing, I did play – or attempt to play – more serious mobile games like Fortnite on my Galaxy A56 to see how it would handle the life of a mobile gamer.
Given my experience testing other budget phones, including the Samsung Galaxy A55, I was equipped with the knowledge to make good comparisons with the A56.
Mid-range and budget smartphones are growing in popularity as flagship devices increasingly come with heftier price tags. That doesn’t mean the best cheap phones are slower, less durable versions of their high-end counterparts – in fact, they offer unique value to budget-conscious buyers. In this category, the Samsung Galaxy A series is perhaps the best example, and the A56 carries on the tradition.
Having launched alongside the A36 and A26, the Galaxy A56 is the most premium of the trio, boasting more RAM and better cameras. That doesn’t mean it’s expensive – far from it as it’s priced at just $499 / £499 / AU$699. The three siblings, however, share key features, like a 120Hz refresh rate, a 5,000mAh battery and an IP67 water- and dust-resistance rating.
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is the ideal smartphone for the average user, offering seriously fantastic showings across its cameras, display, design and battery.
The Galaxy A56 exudes class with its metal and glass design, feeling just as premium in hand and on the eyes, with a finish reminiscent of high-end devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 or the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but at a fraction of the cost.
I received the Awesome Olive model for this review – though I must admit, I had my eyes on the pink variant. Regardless of color choice, the A56’s build quality is undeniable. Improving upon the already impressive Galaxy A55 in every way, Samsung's mid-range marvel is bigger, thinner and lighter.
Featuring a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel, its display delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth visuals thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate. As someone who values high-quality screens for watching content, I was genuinely impressed.
Every inch of the Galaxy A56 looks and feels premium (Image credit: Future)
This quality continues in its battery life. It sports the same 5,000mAh battery as its predecessor, but that's still an impressive capacity in a budget phone – and my experience backs up Samsung's claim of up to 29 hours of video playback. The Samsung Galaxy A56 has also seen an upgrade from 25W to 45W charging, making top-ups faster and more convenient for most users, with a charging speed now equal to that of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Both serious and casual photographers will be happy too, as the Galaxy A56 rivals the Motorola Edge 50 Pro for the title of best budget camera phone, though it's still far away from competing with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The setup includes a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP macro camera and a 12MP front-facing shooter. Whether you're capturing night shots, macro details or everyday moments, the A56 delivers sharp, well-balanced images with a variety of useful features.
Speaking of useful features, Samsung's famous Galaxy AI isn't present in its budget line of phones. However, the sprinkling of AI features Samsung does provide – like AI photo editing, note-taking, Google Gemini functionality and more – add a tasteful amount of flair without overwhelming users who may not want AI integration.
I played Fortnite on the Galaxy A56 and it struggled (Image credit: Future)
Ironically, the one area in which the A56 isn't up to scratch – even compared to similarly priced phones – is its power. Don't get me wrong: it's still perfectly suited to the average user who wants to call, text, video chat, scroll socials, watch the best streaming services and play games like Clash Royale, but I think it could do with a touch more grunt under the hood. It's simply not the phone to buy if you need power from your handset. When playing Fortnite, for example, gameplay was seriously choppy even at low graphics settings and the minimum 20FPS.
That’s not a deal breaker, though. At its price point, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is a fantastic choice for the cost-conscious user who wants a well-balanced phone that looks and feels premium.
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: price and availability
Launch price: $499 / £499 / AU$699
Released March 19 in the UK and March 27 in Australia
Landing in the US later in 2025
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is one of the best budget phones on the market in terms of value, offering a seriously good experience for a truly wallet-friendly $499 /£499 / AU$699 price, with other phones either performing better at higher price points, or offering lesser experiences at a similar price.
Unlike the Samsung Galaxy A55, which never made it to the US market, Samsung officially confirmed on March 1 that the A56 would debut in the US "later this year", while the A36 and A26 became available on March 28 and 26 respectively.
Australians enjoy the same price on the Samsung Galaxy A56 as they did with its predecessor. However, potential owners in the UK will have to fork out an extra £60 compared to last year, with the A55 releasing for only £439.
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is only available in the 8GB RAM, 256GB storage configuration in the UK, and comes in Awesome Olive, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Lightgrey and Awesome Pink.
Importantly, while Australians only get two color options – olive and graphite – they also get two storage options, with a 128GB model priced at AU$699, and the 256GB model costing AU$799. There is also a 12GB RAM model available in select regions.
The only other comparable phone in terms of price versus performance is the near-flagship Google Pixel 9a, releasing soon at $499 / £499 / AU$849. We haven't reviewed the Pixel 9a yet, but if it continues the success of its predecessor, it makes the A56 harder to recommend in the US and UK given they are the same price.
Value score: 4.5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: specs
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: display
120Hz refresh rate
1,900-nit peak outdoors
6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display
Watching a nature documentary on the Galaxy A56 is a lovely experience (Image credit: Future)
I already loved the 6.6-inch display on the A55 – it struck a perfect balance between being comfortable to hold and offering an upgraded viewing experience over my 6.1-inch iPhone 15.
Samsung has taken that a step further with the A56, making it even more comfortable in hand while increasing the screen size to 6.7 inches for an even better entertainment experience. Whether I was watching videos, reading, gaming or video calling, the 1080 x 2340 Super AMOLED display provided one of the best viewing experiences I’ve had on a budget smartphone.
Peak brightness is fine on the Galaxy A56 home screen, but it could be better (Image credit: Future)
The only noticeable cost-cutting comes in the display’s peak brightness. While I never struggled to see the screen, its 1,200-nit brightness is lower than I’d like to see in 2025 – though it does bump up to 1,900 in direct sunlight. While this improves on the Galaxy A55’s 1,000-nit peak, it falls short of competitors like the Google Pixel 9a (2,700 nits) and the Poco F6 Pro (4,000 nits).
In every other aspect, though, the A56’s display feels truly premium. It’s even protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, adding durability against scratches and drops. While I didn’t test a full 2m drop onto concrete, a few accidental drops left it completely unscathed.
Display score: 4.5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: design
Thinner and lighter than the Galaxy A55
Gorilla Glass Victus
IP67 water and dustproof rating
The Samsung Galaxy A56 in the Olive looks quite good even though it's my least favorite color (Image credit: Future)
I loved the Samsung Galaxy A55, particularly its design – a blend of metal and glass that gave it a supremely premium feel at a truly budget price. The A56 improves on that in every way – refining an already impressive formula. I received the Awesome Olive colorway, which was probably my least favorite of the four options, yet I was still thoroughly impressed by how good it looks.
The A56 features a slightly larger 6.7-inch display (up from 6.6 inches) and is about a millimeter taller and wider to accommodate the bigger screen. Bigger may not always be better, but Samsung has offset the increased size with a 0.8mm reduction in thickness and a significant 15g drop in weight – making an exceptional design near perfect.
Or perhaps just perfect. Not only does the metal frame enhance the phone’s premium feel and sturdy build, but Samsung has also added subtle ridges to the frame – something I don’t recall seeing or feeling on the A55 when I reviewed it. The ridges didn’t necessarily improve the grip for me, but they served as a satisfying fidget point when I ran my fingers across them.
The slightly ridged chassis edges don't necessarily improve grip, but I don't mind it at all (Image credit: Future)
That’s about all the superlatives I can give the A56’s design. It’s everything you want a phone to look and feel like, regardless of its price. It’s also protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, offering excellent resistance against scratches and drops.
As with avoiding the 2m drop test, I didn’t throw the IP67-rated Galaxy A56 in the bath; however, my colleagues and I have spent plenty of time with Gorilla Glass to know how good the durability can be – and I had absolutely no issue the few times I did get the phone wet while doing the dishes and walking in the rain.
Big, beautiful, lightweight, and impressively durable, the A56 is an exceptionally designed piece of technology. The fact that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg makes it all the more impressive.
Design score: 5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: software
No full Galaxy AI suite, but some “Awesome Intelligence” features are available
Six years of software and security support
Plenty of UI customizations with new Now Bar feature
The software package on Samsung's cheaper phones are as good as that on the flagships (Image credit: Future)
From a software perspective, the Samsung Galaxy A56 might be the most impressive budget-focused phone I’ve personally used. And that’s despite my colleagues praising the Google Pixel 8a for bringing Google’s AI tools to a wider audience. That’s not to say the A56 misses out entirely on AI features – it has a smattering of useful ones that won’t overwhelm the average user – but if AI is your top priority, you’ll need to shell out for the Samsung Galaxy S25 or wait for the Pixel 9a.
The AI-powered tools in the A56 aren’t being called Galaxy AI, instead appearing under the branding “Awesome Intelligence”, although similarities abound.
Samsung lays these features out neatly within the Settings menu and includes tools that let you remove objects from photos, capture the perfect group photo and receive AI-powered suggestions for improving images during editing.
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A screenshot of the Galaxy A56's AI remastering tool (Image credit: Future)
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Removing objects with the object eraser – see the next image for results (Image credit: Future)
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Same image with several objects in the background removed with AI (Image credit: Future)
That's far from it, though. Within the camera app, you can create Custom Filters based on mood and style, quickly edit videos with Auto Trim or even translate real-world text when in foreign lands with Bixby Vision. AI Select provides suggested actions when you highlight something on-screen, Read Aloud will read articles or passages aloud for you, and you even get Google's Circle to Search tool.
That’s about it for AI, but there's plenty more to love about the Galaxy A56's software. For starters, you get an exceptionally clean user experience with minimal pre-installed bloatware.
Customization options are also extensive. On the wallpaper front, there are featured selections, interesting graphic designs and a variety of colors with different personalization options within. You can also set a dynamic lock screen that changes wallpapers every time you unlock the device, with five categories to choose from.
And that’s just the beginning. Once you settle on a wallpaper color, you can customize the system-wide color palette to match – or opt for basic colors instead. If that’s not enough, you can buy a full theme from the Galaxy Themes store to overhaul your device's entire aesthetic.
If you don't like the themes on offer, you can spend a little extra cash on purchasing a new one direct from the phone (Image credit: Future)
You can choose between a traditional home screen or one with a separate app drawer, adjust icon sizes, and independently tweak the grid layout for the home screen, app drawer and folders.
One of my favorite additions, though, is the Now Bar. Originally a flagship feature in One UI 7, I was surprised (and delighted) to see it make its way to Samsung’s budget line.
It may seem like a small addition, but it can be an incredibly useful tool. Acting much like Apple’s Dynamic Island, the Now Bar sits at the bottom of the lock screen, working as a media manager that displays your current song or countdown timer, or displaying live notifications for specific apps like Maps, Samsung Health, Clock, Voice Recorder, Samsung Notes and Emergency Sharing.
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The new Now Bar feature is nice to have on a budget phone (Image credit: Future)
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Just tap it from the lock screen to open further actions (Image credit: Future)
With flagship-level features and a remarkably clean UI, the Samsung Galaxy A56 delivers an outstanding user experience for a budget phone. It also strikes a perfect balance with AI – offering just enough functionality to be useful for those who want it, while remaining unobtrusive for those who don’t.
And, more than just the cherry on top, especially for penny-pinching buyers, is the fact that the Galaxy A56 will see six years of security support and software updates – letting you enjoy its value for years to come.
Software score: 4.5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: cameras
Rear camera trio with 50MP main
12MP front camera
Helpful AI tools like Best Face
Unless you have a specific need – like top-tier gaming performance or a battery that can handle marathon sessions – a smartphone’s camera is arguably one of its most important features. From a parent wanting to capture family moments, a hobbyist hiker aiming for the perfect summit selfie, to a serious photographer looking for a reliable backup, any phone worth considering needs to nail its camera. And the Samsung Galaxy A56 does just that.
Simply put, the Galaxy A56 takes some seriously good photos – at any distance.
Its rear camera array includes a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. While a higher megapixel count is great, it’s the phone’s image processing that determines the results.
The Galaxy A55 struggled with this: while it produced crisp, well-defined shots, many mid-range and budget phones tend to over-process images, making colors look too saturated and unnatural. The A56 avoids both extremes. While photos come out slightly cooler than I’d prefer, they’re impressively natural, detailed and well balanced.
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Skyscraper with the 50MP main camera (Image credit: Future)
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Capturing the beautiful blue sky (Image credit: Future)
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A kookaburra sitting with the 12MP ultra-wide (Image credit: Future)
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The same kookaburra, captured with 10x zoom (Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
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Sunny mornings with 1x zoom (Image credit: Future)
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Same trees in 2x zoom (Image credit: Future)
The camera app includes several modes: Fun (which applies Snapchat-like filters), Portrait, Photo, and Video. It also allows easy toggling between the 12MP and 50MP lenses, quick filter application, aspect-ratio adjustments, and motion-photo settings.
For video, you can enable Super Steady mode to counteract shaky hands or turn it off to adjust frame rates: Space-saving HD at 30fps, Full HD at up to 60p, and Ultra HD at 30fps. Auto Framing keeps subjects centered automatically.
That’s not all – Samsung delivers a feature-rich camera experience on a budget here. Tapping ‘More’ unlocks additional modes, including Pro, Pro Video, Night, Food, Panorama, Macro, Slow Motion, Hyperlapse, Dual Rec, and Single Take.
When it comes to macro and night photography, the A56 is one of the more impressive budget phones I’ve used. Macro shots are often incredibly difficult to get right, especially if your subject isn't still, but I had no issue with the A56. And while taking photos in the middle of the night might not be common practice, the A56 performed impressively in low-light environments – taking clear snaps even with almost zero light present.
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The Galaxy A56's macro lens gets good results even when the subject is swaying in the wind or slowly crawling (Image credit: Future)
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Bluey and Bingo captured in night mode (Image credit: Future)
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The same photo with night mode turned off (Image credit: Future)
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The same photo with the (weak) light turned on (Image credit: Future)
The Samsung Galaxy A56 isn’t the best camera phone I’ve ever used, nor is it necessarily the best camera phone I've used in this price range – that battle is fought between the Pixel 8a and Motorola Edge 50 Pro – but it continues the A56’s overarching theme: consistent, excellent performance across the board.
Camera score: 4/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: performance
Performs well under long periods of stress
Not built for gaming
While Fortnite looks good on the Galaxy A56, the phone struggles with high-intensity tasks (Image credit: Future)
The Samsung Galaxy A56's weakest feature is without a doubt its performance. That’s not to say it’s bad – as I’ve previously mentioned, it’s more than enough for the average user. But to keep prices down, concessions have to be made. For some cheap phones, it's a lower-quality display or increased fragility. In the case of the Galaxy A56 and its Exynos 1580 chipset, it was how it performed under heavier loads – like mobile gaming.
In our Geekbench benchmark tests – which measure the phone's CPU performance in everyday tasks and GPU performance in real-world applications, the A56 performed well – beating the gaming-powered Poco F6 Pro, and only falling a few hundred points short of the Pixel 9.
However, in our two 3DMark benchmarks – Wild Life and Wild Life Extreme – that test the overall graphics performance and how the phone deals with both high performance in short bursts, it didn't look so good.
Its numbers aren't necessarily bad. In fact, it showed a massive improvement over the A55 in both. However, its single and multi-core scores of 1,330 and 3,759 weren't too far ahead of the Motorola Edge 50 Pro (1,132 / 3,076) – which isn't known for its gaming power. The A56 was also thoroughly beaten by the Poco F6 Pro (1,375 / 4,733), and both phones can easily be found for around the same price or less.
In terms of sustained performance though, the A56 was impressive. In the Wild Life Extreme Stress Test – a 20-minute benchmark that assesses stability under heavy loads – it scored a top loop of 4,907, a low of 4,649, an impressive 94.9% stability and remained cool temperature-wise. For reference, I've seen the S25 Ultra score higher peaks, but also show less stability in this test, dropping to a loop score of less than 3,000.
As good as some of those numbers look on paper, it was a different experience during real-world use, with the A56 struggling when I played games like Fortnite Mobile – it failed to maintain even 20FPS, frequently stuttering on the lowest graphics settings. For comparison, the similarly priced Poco F6 Pro easily sustains 60fps at high settings for hours.
11FPS while playing Fortnite on the Galaxy A56 was the best I could do (Image credit: Future)
That said, these results still mark a significant improvement over the A55, a phone I loved when I tested it last year. The benchmark numbers may not impress, but they don’t take away from the A56’s status as an excellent budget phone for the average user, and I can attest that it holds up really well for the daily duties you’d want from a smartphone.
Performance score: 3.5/5
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: battery
5,000 mAh battery that easily sees you through the day
45W wired charging
It's not groundbreaking, but the battery life is quite impressive (Image credit: Future)
Keeping in line with its display, design, performance and cameras, the battery of the Samsung Galaxy A56 is perfectly suited to the average user.
My daily testing routine started at 5:30am, with an hour-long podcast while I walked the dog, followed by a quick music-fueled workout accompanied by music before getting ready for work. Then there was about an hour of scrolling and listening during my commute, before I arrived at the office, where I’d use it for background music via a set of Bluetooth headphones.
Naturally, I needed a phone that could keep up, and the A56’s 5,000mAh battery delivered. Samsung claims the device offers up to 29 hours of video playback, so I put it to the test. Watching a YouTube video at 50% brightness, I picked up the phone 18 hours later to find it still had 39% battery remaining.
As another test, I played The Dark Knight Rises twice back-to-back (totaling 5 hours, 30 minutes) at 50% brightness, and the phone lost just 27% battery. Though these tests were conducted in different environments and with varying starting percentages, the results reinforced one thing: the A56 can go the distance.
For everyday use – texting, calling, video chatting, scrolling social media, checking emails and some light gaming – the A56 is more than up to the task, easily lasting a full day.
As for charging, you won’t get ultra-fast speeds like 120W or even 67W, but the A56 does offer 45W fast charging – an upgrade from the middling 25W speed of the Galaxy A55. That puts the new budget phone on par with its Galaxy S25 Ultra cousin.
Using a 67W wall charger, the A56 gained:
• 8% in 5 minutes • Just under 30% in 15 minutes • A little over 55% in 30 minutes • A full charge in around 85 minutes
A 5,000mAh battery is far from an astounding inclusion in a specs list in 2025, but it’s still a notable positive. Paired with moderately fast charging, the A56’s battery – like the rest of the phone – is great.
And while 120W or even 67W charging is a helpful addition when you have it, it's far from necessary – and 55% battery in a quick 30-minute charge is plenty if you forget to plug it in overnight on the rare occasion.
Battery score: 4/5
Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy A56?
Buy it if...
You want a large display without spending top dollar
The Samsung Galaxy A56's 6.7-inch display is an expansive screen that improves upon its predecessor, rivals the S25 series, and produces a vibrant and immersive experience.
You want a jack-of-all-trades handset The A56 excels as an all-around performer, balancing design, display, camera and battery life in a way that caters to a wide range of needs. It handles daily tasks like texting, social media and video calls seamlessly, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable, versatile phone.
You're shopping for value on a budget If you’re after a phone that offers impressive features without breaking the bank, the A56 is a standout option. With a solid camera, long-lasting battery and smooth performance, it provides excellent value for those seeking a capable device without spending a fortune.
Don't buy it if...
You're a serious mobile gamer While the A56 can handle light gaming, it’s not built for heavy gaming sessions or more intense games. If you're looking for a phone that can deliver high frame rates and smooth performance in graphically intense games, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
You want the best AI tools The A56 offers basic AI features, but if you’re after the cutting-edge AI tools, you’ll need to shell out more for the likes of the Galaxy S25 or the Pixel 9 flagships.
Samsung Galaxy A56 review: also consider
Google Pixel 9a We loved the Google Pixel 8a, and we're expecting five big upgrades from the Pixel 9a – namely a wealth of AI features alongside possibly the best camera on the market at its price and a 5,100mAh battery. Easily the biggest competitor to the Galaxy A56, if you want AI and cameras, it might be the better choice.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro If you have more of a mobile gaming focus, but still want a phone that offers solid all-round performance and 120W charging, consider the Poco F6 Pro. Its bloatware will be confronting for first-time users, but once you get past that, it's a very good smartphone at this price range. Read our full Poco F6 Pro review
Apple iPhone 16e Android devices offer a greater amount of value compared to iPhones, with even older Apple devices still asking for a considerable price. However, the iPhone 16e offers Apple Intelligence, smooth performance and seamless Apple integration at a much more affordable price than the mainline iPhone 16 family. Read our full Apple iPhone 16e review
How I tested the Samsung Galaxy A56
Review test period: 3 weeks
Testing included: Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
The Samsung Galaxy A56 was my sole mobile device for the three weeks I spent with it, and I frankly wish I didn't have to return it after my testing period. As my regular daily device, I used it to listen to podcasts, check social media, watch YouTube and text, with some light reading thrown in. Oh, and a whole heap of dog photos.
Of course, I also put the Galaxy A56 through its paces with Geekbench 6 and 3DMark benchmark tests to see how the phone would handle activities that I may not use in my regular daily use, but someone else might. I did these tests several times, in different environments and different battery stages to ensure accurate results.
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This leads me to my gaming tests. It's always nice when you can make playing games part of your job, but I'm far from a mobile gamer. I love Marvel Snap, enjoy a few rounds of Clash Royale and dabble in some Wordle and Connections every now and then, but that's it. As part of my testing, I did play – or attempt to play – more serious mobile games like Fortnite on my Galaxy A56 to see how it would handle the life of a mobile gamer.
Given my experience testing other budget phones, including the Samsung Galaxy A55, I was equipped with the knowledge to make good comparisons with the A56.
While an excellent power bank for many reasons, the Baseus Blade Pro really stands out for its skinny form factor, combined with a large 20,000mAh (74Wh) capacity and beefy 100W (20V, 5A) output. There are very few such power banks that can slot into a laptop sleeve, yet still offer fast charging, making this my favorite option when traveling light.
I also think the Blade Pro is a great option for phone charging if you need to do multiple top-ups, and the slim form works well in a backpack too. That said, at 13.4 x 13.4 x 2.0 cm (5.3 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches), it's definitely too large to fit in most pockets comfortably. The exception to this is bulky winter wear, and I have used it to power a heated jacket in icy weather when traveling.
The Blade Pro has two USB-C ports that can each output 100W, though if both are used at the same time, they're limited to 65W and 35W respectively. The two USB-A ports can do 30W (12V, 2.5A) or 27W at 9V, 3A. While charging three devices is totally fine, plugging in four means all ports are limited to just 5V output, which results in much slower charging, and won't charge most laptops.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Charging the Blade Pro via either USB-C port happens at up to 60W and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach full capacity. With a 65W or higher charger, the power bank also supports pass-through charging, so you can charge the power bank and another device at the same time. This means you can plug the power bank between your laptop and its USB-C charger, and charge both at once without needing to swap any cables once it is done.
You also get a low-current charge mode for smaller accessories like headphones (which stops the power bank from turning off when charging devices that only need a little bit of power), along with a fantastic display that shows the voltage, current and remaining runtime while charging.
At 440g (15.5 ounces) the Blade Pro is quite lightweight for the size, but the flat shape means it's slightly larger in total volume than the smallest power banks with comparable capacity. In my opinion, this is more than offset by the slim design, which makes it feel much less bulky.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
I conduct comprehensive testing of power banks to make sure they can meet the manufacturer's claims, as many don't actually do what they say they will. Overall, the Blade Pro gives excellent results that earn it a place in our best power banks guide.
The 20,000mAh (74Wh) capacity is enough to bring typical laptops back to a full charge (or at least hit 70% for those with large batteries), or charge a phone three to four times over, depending on the model.
In testing, when outputting the full 100W for a sustained period of time, the Blade will slow down the charge rate to make sure its cells stay healthy long term. In our real-world testing with a high-power 100W laptop (which typically averages slightly under 100W), this protection feature didn’t kick in.
That said, with sustained high output, the Blade Pro does generate some waste heat (which is totally normal), so you'll get the best performance if it's not left in a bag when charging a laptop. If you’re just charging a phone though, it stays very cool and can be tucked away.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
The only other things I can fault the Blade Pro for are that it tends to pick up scratches easily, and after months of pulling it in and out of my bag, it has lost one of the little rubber feet.
If buying the Blade Pro, keep in mind that it is often sold for as little as half the list price when on sale, and is generally much cheaper than the prices listed below.
Also watch out for the older (non-Pro) Blade model, as they look very similar. The older Blade is a great power bank (and a good buy if discounted), and it has the same features and outputs as the Pro, but be aware it’s larger overall and uses an older cell chemistry.
All in all, no matter which model you go for, the Blade Pro is ideal for slipping into a bag to charge a laptop and other devices.
Baseus Blade Pro: Price & specs
Baseus Blade Pro: Test results
If all these numbers don't mean much to you, I have included scores out of 5 for each test result so you can see how it fared at a glance.
At phone-charging rates (20W / 9V / 2.22A), the Blade Pro delivers an outstanding 91.55% of its rated capacity. At 20V and typical laptop charging rates, performance is even better, hitting 93% of the rated capacity.
During testing under a sustained 100W (20V, 5A) load, the Blade Pro will usually renegotiate the output at 65W (20V, 3.25A) once the remaining capacity drops to somewhere between 50% and 30%, mainly to manage heat. At these higher sustained loads, efficiency takes a noticeable hit, and around 54.7Wh (76%) of the rated 74Wh ends up being usable.
This might seem like a concern, but it isn't a problem for normal use. But if you do need a power bank that can output the full 100W for the entire capacity, then consider a model like the Anker 737 or the ZMI No.20 – both of which can sustain their full output.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Should I buy the Baseus Blade Pro?
Buy it if...
You love the form factor The Blade Pro is one of only a select few power banks that is both slim and high output.
You want pass-through charging The Blade Pro will pass through up to 60W, charging itself and your device at the same time.
You want to watch charge rates in real time The Blade Pro gives detailed information about the voltages and amperages for each port, making it easy to tell exactly how fast your device is charging.
Don't buy it if...
You need dual 100W output If both USB-C ports are in use, the Blade Pro limits the outputs to 65W and 35W.
You want to draw 100W continuously The Blade Pro runs hot and efficiency drops at sustained high output.
You want the smallest power bank possible While only 2cm (0.8 inches) thick, this 13.4cm x 13.4cm (5.3 x 5.3 inches) slab of power bank isn’t suited for slipping into a pocket.
(Image credit: TechRadar)
Also consider
The Baseus Blade Pro is one of the best slim yet high output power banks available, but below are a few other options if you are looking for something different.
ZMI No.20 This power bank uses premium components, has a large 25,000mAh (90Wh) capacity and can fast charge anything from a phone to a laptop at up to 100W.
Iniu B6 power bank Need something easy to carry? With 20W fast-charge capability and a 10,000mAh (37Wh) capacity, the Iniu B6 is the perfect low-cost power bank to slip into your bag when on the go.
I get hands-on with every power bank I can, and perform extensive testing in both the lab and real-world scenarios. Using equipment like the ChargerLab POWER-Z KM003C, I check charge voltage, protocol support, and log capacity tests.
Each power bank is also tested with real devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, and more, as well as connected to a programmable load tester for multiple charge cycles. I carry a selection daily in both pockets and bags to assess their durability and ability to withstand rough, everyday use.
All measurements and weights are personally verified, ensuring accuracy beyond the manufacturer’s listings.
Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W review
OK, let me take a deep breath… the Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W… whew… is a two-port model that can get your phone and a second device back to life in no time. That is if they’re not too power hungry.
This model supports 45W single-port charging, or up to 25W via Port 1 and 20W through Port 2 in double-charge mode. That’s enough to activate fast charging on devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which I personally own, but won’t be enough to charge more demanding alternatives – like the Honor Magic V3 or modern MacBook models, for instance – at their maximum allowed wattage.
Something that’s worth noting, however, is I did have to use my own USB-C cables for testing. There’s nothing in the box – at least for those of you that, like me, reside in the UK. Sure, it’s not always a given to get a cable in the box, but this would have added a lot of value points for this charger. It is still moderately priced overall, in fairness though, coming in at $34.99 / £29.99 (about AU$55).
Something that was more disappointing for me was the lack of foldable prongs on the UK edition of this charger. If you want to slip the charger into your pocket, it’s impractical to have the prongs poking out. But having said that, this is a super-compact, diminutive model that will easily slot into a bag. It should be able to slot into tight spaces as well, although the ports being positioned on the outward-facing side of the charger does mean that USB-C cables will stick out a bit.
Another thing I picked up on during testing was that this model could get fairly warm when pushed to its limits – perhaps unsurprising given its limited size. It wasn’t getting dangerously hot or anything, but some may wish for the added security of more heat-resistant models like the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W.
But that’s enough moaning. This is a decent looking charger with a glossy white finish. But it’s also available in Black if you want to change things up a bit – that optionality is something I welcome, even if it’s two relatively basic-looking variants. Its solid design, minuscule size and solid performance given power restrictions do make this a tempting option. Of course, it's not without flaws and won’t have enough juice for some of you out there, but if 45W sounds about right for you, this model may well be worth your consideration.
(Image credit: Future)
Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W review: Price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W?
Buy it if…
You’re short on space If your power socket is close to, say a bedframe or desk, this tiny Belkin charger could be a neat charging companion. It’s very diminutive, meaning it will likely slot into those tight spaces. It’s worth noting, though, that the ports are positioned on the outside of the charger rather than on its underside – so the USB-C connectors may stick out a little – worth keeping in mind.
You want to charge multiple devices simultaneously One of the big benefits this model offers is dual-port charging. You can take advantage of both ports at once, with a maximum of 25W in Port 1 and 20W in Port 2, which should be enough to get fast charging on a lot of handsets released in recent years, like the iPhone 15.
Don't buy it if…
You have a more power hungry phone or laptop One issue this charger faces up to, is that it doesn’t have enough power to enable some modern smartphones and laptops to charge near their maximum levels. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra can manage 45W wired charging and the OnePlus 13 can go as far as 80W. Of course, you can get 45W out of this model – but only in single-port mode. If you want a bit more power, I’d recommend going for the excellent value UGreen Uno 100W charger.
You want to use your old USB-A cables In some regions, like my native UK, there’s no USB-C cable included in the box – which is a shame. And you may not have one of these lying around – though I’d expect you have some old USB-A ones kicking about. But unfortunately, you can’t use these here. Having said that, USB-C is more efficient, and if you really want to use your USB-A cables, there are alternatives that support them, like the Anker 323 Charger (33W) or Anker 335 Charger (67W).
Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W: Also consider
UGreen USB-C 40W The UGreen USB-C 40W may not be as powerful as this Belkin model, but I prefer it overall. It looks a bit more premium, has foldable prongs on the UK model and didn’t get particularly hot during testing. Again, this model has two USB-C ports and there aren’t any cables included in the box, but it’s cheaper than this Belkin alternative, meaning it's a great value rival. Read our full UGreen USB-C 40W review.
The Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank is a small power bank with an integrated USB-C cable for added convenience, making it ideal for light travelers. The smart, minimalist looks are welcome too. The Ice Blue colorway I had looked classy, but there’s a Tan variant if you want something a little lighter. Both models are elegant and complement the sleek form of the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank.
In keeping with its uncluttered approach, there’s no screen or interface to speak off, aside from a power check button and four discreet LED dots to indicate battery and charging status. Despite their small size, they’re pleasingly bright, which makes them easy to see at a glance or at a distance.
I also appreciated the small form factor, with its square shape taking up little room. This is all the more impressive considering its 10,000mAh capacity, as not even some of the best power banks this size have such a small footprint. However, it’s thicker than some of them, and while the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank isn’t exactly heavy, it’s not the lightest either.
The plastic material body feels reasonably premium, as it’s smooth to the touch and feels solidly constructed. However, the stress relief for the integrated USB-C cable seems quite flimsy, and I wouldn’t trust it to withstand too many bends or prolonged squashing, so I’d be careful when packing it deep inside a bag. I also wouldn’t use it as a carrying handle, although in fairness, Xiaomi doesn’t mention this as a feature.
Unfortunately, the housing that keeps the jack end stowed away isn’t as secure as I would’ve liked either. It does preserve the perfectly flat contours of the bank, though, as the jack sits flush with the side panel when stowed.
In addition to the integrated cable, the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank also has a USB-A port and a USB-C port. Three-way simultaneous charging is supported too, as well as two-way 30W fast charging.
Charging performance is good, as it managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a, which has a 4,385mAh battery, from empty to full in just over 90 minutes, which is a solid performance.
More impressively, the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank only lost one of its four LED dots, which means you should get between 2-3 full charges of a smartphone out of it. Charging the bank itself takes somewhere between three and a half to four hours, which is reasonable for this battery size.
For the price of £19.99 (about $26 / AU$41), the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank represents good value. Not many power banks with this capacity take up so little real estate, nor have an integrated cable in addition to two extra ports. The cable might not endure as much punishment as others, but for light traveling the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank should make for a convenient companion.
(Image credit: Future)
Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank review: price & specs
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank?
Buy it if…
You want something small Not many power banks with this capacity are so small, and it’s quite easy to tuck away in a pocket.
You want multiple charges The Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank only lost one bar after fully replenishing my smartphone, so you should get at least a couple of charges from it.
Don't buy it if…
You’re going to take it on adventure holidays The Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank is built well enough, but the stress relief for the integrated isn’t the sturdiest, and the jack housing isn’t the most secure.
You want something thin It may be short across its length and width, but it’s quite thick in terms of depth, which arguably might be the most important dimension for some.
Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank review: Also consider
Iniu B41 The Iniu B41 has the same capacity as the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank but is slightly cheaper, although it has less power and doesn’t have an integrated cable. It does, however, include a handy flashlight. And while it’s longer than the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank, it’s thinner, which might be preferable for some users. The port selection is slightly different too, with two USB-A ports and one USB-C port. Read our Iniu B41 review.
