The Samsung Galaxy A56 has made a strong debut in Western Europe, outperforming its predecessor, the Galaxy A55, despite the broader challenges Samsung faces in the region. According to Counterpoint Research, sales of the Galaxy A56 during its first seven weeks were 12% higher than those of the A55 in the same period last year. This boost is notable, especially since Samsung’s overall smartphone sales in Western Europe fell by 11%, while the regional market only dropped by 2%. 
On the other hand, the A55 had experienced a 22% decline in sales compared to the A54, even though Samsung’s total sales were up by 8% at that time.
One key reason behind the Galaxy A56’s relatively stronger performance is the introduction of Galaxy AI features, marking the first time Samsung has included these advanced capabilities in its A-series. Alongside the Galaxy A36 and A26, the A56 brings more sophisticated software tools to the mid-tier market, effectively bringing premium features to a more accessible price range. This shift appears to have resonated well with consumers, although the competition in this segment is fierce.
The Galaxy A56 is part of the first wave of A-series phones to include Galaxy AI. This software addition is helping Samsung bridge the gap between mid-range devices and their flagship counterparts. While Samsung’s overall smartphone sales may be down, the A56’s performance is bucking the trend. However, competitors like the Google Pixel 9a and Honor 400 also offer strong AI features at comparable or lower prices, making the competition even tougher.
Despite these challenges, the success of the A56 highlights the growing demand for mid-range smartphones. These devices now come with many features once reserved for high-end models, including high refresh rate displays, capable cameras, long battery life, and increasingly, on-device AI. For users in mature markets like Western Europe, the gap between mid-range and flagship phones has narrowed significantly, making the mid-range segment the perfect balance between price and performance.