LONDON, U.K – Apr 29, 2025 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced that select Galaxy A series devices will soon support AI assistant activation through the side button, bringing a fan-favourite feature from the Galaxy S series to more users and furthering Samsung’s vision of democratizing the latest AI experiences. With this update¹, users will be able to enjoy smarter AI experiences, including launching Gemini² , Google’s AI-powered assistant, by simply pressing and holding the side button.

Samsung introduced Awesome Intelligence³ on the latest Galaxy A series – Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G – including select fan-favourite AI-powered features that open up Galaxy’s incredible mobile AI experiences to more users. Now, the upcoming update makes it easier for even more Galaxy A series users around the world to complete everyday tasks more intuitively with direct access to Gemini with the side button.

Known for its balance of performance and value, the Galaxy A series now offers a smarter mobile experience thanks to this update. With easier access to Gemini, users can effortlessly check their schedule, find nearby restaurants or get recommendations for birthday gifts using voice commands. They can also carry out tasks across apps⁴ with just a single command – like finding a dinner spot on Google Maps and sending the address to a friend through Messages – spanning Samsung, Google and select third-party apps.

“Samsung and Google have been working together to deliver seamless, intuitive and meaningful AI experiences, making the latest technology more accessible for more users,” said Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We’re excited that Galaxy A series users will now be able to activate Gemini faster and more naturally through a simple gesture that brings intelligent support into the flow of daily tasks.”

Faster access to Gemini means help is ready in everyday moments – like making last-minute dinner plans. With a simple voice command, users can say “Find French, pet-friendly restaurants with terrace seating nearby” to Gemini and get suggestions in seconds, making it easy to pick a spot and share it with a friend, without typing a single word.

The software update will roll out globally to select Galaxy A series models starting in early May.

For more information about the Galaxy A series, please visit: Samsung Newsroom UK, Samsungmobilepress.com and Samsung.com/uk.

¹ Availability and supported features may vary by market, carrier and device model. This update will be only available on Galaxy A56 5G, A55 5G, A54 5G, A36 5G, A35 5G, A34 5G, A26 5G, A25 5G, A25e 5G and A24 running One UI 7, and is scheduled to begin rolling out in May. Timing subject to change.
² Internet connection and compatible operating system required. Availability may vary by device, country/region, and language.
³ Awesome Intelligence is available on Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G. Availability of Awesome Intelligence features may vary by country/region, One UI/OS version, device model, and carrier.
⁴ Requires internet connection and Google Account login. Service availability may vary by country/region, language, and device model. Works on compatible apps. Feature availability may differ depending on subscription and results may vary. Set up may be required for certain functions or apps. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

Multitasking Made Simple

Awesome Intelligence delivers a range of powerful capabilities.

Besides eliminating the need to toggle between apps to search for information, the fan-favourite AI-powered features- Circle to Search² with Google- now goes beyond images to recognise and identify music as well.

AI Select³ provides contextual suggestions based on on-screen content — including text, images and videos — allowing users to perform actions like scanning QR codes or creating GIFs with a single tap.

Additionally, the new Read Aloud function enhances multitasking by converting online text into audio.

Maximising Creativity With Easy-To-Use, Intelligent Tools

Awesome Intelligence includes a suite of AI-powered editing tools to supercharge creativity.

Object Eraser⁴ allows users to seamlessly remove unwanted objects from photos, while Edit Suggestion recommends enhancements such as background blur, reflection removal and lens correction to deliver cleaner, more refined images.

On the Galaxy A56 5G, exclusive tools offer even more creative control. Best Face⁵ lets users select the best facial expressions of up to five people from motion photos and merge them into a single group shot — ensuring everyone looks their best. Auto Trim, meanwhile, analyses multiple videos to extract the best moments and compiles them into a smooth ready-to-share highlight reel.

What’s more, the Filters feature⁶. allows custom filter creation by extracting colours and styles from existing images — adding a unique personal touch to portrait photos or selfies.

With integrated Awesome Intelligence, the latest Galaxy A series sets a new standard for accessibility, enhanced productivity and limitless creativity for everyone.

¹Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, Galaxy A26 5G

²Requires network connection. Availability of search functions and its supported apps may vary by country, language and device. Results may vary depending on visual matches.

³Results may vary depending on model. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. Requires internet connection and Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by language or device model. Availability of supported languages may vary. Certain languages may require language pack download.

⁴Results may vary based on the images and the object you’re trying to remove

⁵Best Face feature is available exclusively on the Galaxy A56 5G device from the Galaxy A series. Best Face is only available for photos taken with Motion Photo turned on. The feature does not generate new facial expressions but selects from frames within the Motion Photo video clip. It can recognise up to five people per image and suggest up to three alternative expressions per person.

⁶Filters feature is unavailable in the 3:4 64MP aspect ratio setting. Its availability might differ based on device model and software version. Filter availability may vary based on resolution and aspect ratio settings.

“As Samsung continues to lead the way in mobile AI, we are committed to bringing its power to even more users, providing new ways to explore and capture the world around them through Awesome Intelligence,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “With the launch of the new Galaxy A series, we look forward to more people benefitting from smart and fun mobile experiences that unleash their creativity, all while ensuring the security and reliability users expect from us.”

The latest Galaxy A series brings users Galaxy’s fan-favourite AI-powered features. Enhanced Circle to Search with Google[3] offers a seamless way to find answers, enabling users to instantly bring information to their fingertips with a simple gesture. With Object Eraser[4], users can easily remove unwanted elements from photos for a cleaner, more polished look. For those who enjoy customising their photos even further, Filters[5] can create unique effects inspired by their favourite images. Available only on Galaxy A56 5G within the Galaxy A series, Best Face[6] allows users to select the best expressions from multiple frames and combine them into a single photo so everyone looks their best.

Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G feature a 6.7-inch[7] FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a peak brightness of up to 1200 nits[8], offering a vivid and immersive viewing experience in any environment. A 5,000mAh battery powers all three models, allowing users to enjoy every moment for longer. Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G deliver enhanced performance, with a larger vapour chamber[9] that ensures smoother multitasking, gaming and video playback. The new Galaxy A series also provides an extra, fortified layer of device safety, transparency and user choice with Samsung Knox Vault. Additionally, these devices are built for long-term use and peace of mind, with support for up to six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates.

The new Galaxy A series is available in a range of colours. Galaxy A56 5G is available in Awesome Lightgrey, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Olive, and Awesome Pink. Galaxy A36 5G is available in Awesome Lavender, Awesome Black, Awesome White, and Awesome Lime; and Galaxy A26 5G is available in Black, White, and Mint.

For more information about Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, and Galaxy A26 5G, please visit: Samsung Newsroom, Samsung Mobile Press and Samsung.com.

[1] Availability may vary by country, region and carrier.

[2] Samsung Account login may be required to use certain features. Samsung does not make any promises, assurances or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the output provided by Intelligent features. Availability of features may vary depending on the region/country, OS/One UI version, device model, and carrier.

[3] Requires network connection. Availability of search functions and its supported apps may vary by country, language and device. Results may vary depending on visual matches.

[4] Results may vary based on the images and the object you’re trying to remove.

[5] Filters feature is unavailable in the 3:4 64MP aspect ratio setting. Its availability might differ based on device model and software version. Filter availability may vary based on resolution and aspect ratio settings.

[6] Best Face feature is available exclusively on the Galaxy A56 5G device from the Galaxy A series. Best Face is only available for photos taken with Motion Photo turned on. The feature does not generate new facial expressions but selects from frames within the Motion Photo video clip. It can recognise up to five people per image and suggest up to three alternative expressions per person.

[7] Measured diagonally, the screen size is 6.7″ in the full rectangle and 6.5″ accounting for the rounded corners. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and the camera hole.

[8] 1,200 nits in High Brightness Mode (HBM).

[9] Compared to previous generation.

“The new Galaxy A series marks an important step in our mission of AI for all, by opening Galaxy’s incredible mobile AI experiences to even more people around the world,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “With these awesome new features and capabilities, we are excited to unlock limitless creativity on the Galaxy A series while ensuring a safe, reliable and fun mobile experience.”

Awesome Intelligence for Advanced Search and Creativity

Awesome Intelligence is the first comprehensive mobile AI exclusively available on Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G and brings users powerful, fun and easy-to-use AI tools. Powered by One UI 7, the new Awesome Intelligence features bring amazing search and visual experiences to Galaxy A series users.

A fan-favourite on Galaxy A series devices last year, Google’s enhanced Circle to Search^[1], makes it easier than ever to search and discover from the phone’s screen. With the latest upgrades, users can now get even more done on their phone. Circle to Search will quickly recognise phone numbers, email addresses and URLs on the screen so users can take action with a single tap.

With the recent enhancements to Circle to Search, users can also instantly search the songs they hear without switching apps. Whether it’s a song playing on social media from their phone or music that’s playing from speakers near them, just long press the navigation bar to activate Circle to Search, then tap the music button to effortlessly identify the song name and artist. 

The Galaxy A series also takes the camera experience to a new level with creator-focused tools, starting with a powerful triple-camera system featuring a 50MP main lens on all devices and 10-bit HDR front lens recording on Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G for bright and crisp selfies. Galaxy A56 5G features leading camera technology with a 12MP ultra-wide lens, while the entire Galaxy A series empowers creativity in new and exciting ways through intelligent visual editing.

Exclusively available on Galaxy A56 5G, Best Face^[2] makes it easier than ever to capture the perfect group shot by selecting and combining the best expressions or features for up to five people from a motion photo. Whether someone blinked or looked away, Best Face ensures everyone looks their best in a single, seamless shot. The Galaxy A56 5G also brings enhancements to Nightography^[3], with Low Noise Mode making its way to the 12MP selfie camera and additional wide camera support to capture stunning content in low-light settings.

Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G all bring fine-refined Object Eraser^[4] , allowing users to remove unwanted distractions from photos. Whether it’s an unexpected passerby or a distracting shadow, users can manually or automatically select objects to erase, achieving a cleaner, more polished final image with just a few taps. Moreover, Filters^[5] enables custom filter creation by extracting colours and styles from existing photos for users to apply for a unique and personalised effect depending on mood and taste. With these intelligent tools, users can refine and enhance their photos effortlessly, bringing a new level of creativity to every shot.

Built To Last With Upgraded Displays and Software Longevity

Now with up to six generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades and six years of security updates, the Galaxy A series reinforces its software longevity even more. These updates add additional support toward optimising the device’s lifecycle, ensuring users can enjoy a smooth and reliable experience for years to come.

The Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G also introduce a larger display created for a high-quality, immersive viewing experience. Both devices feature a 6.7-inch^[6] FHD+ Super AMOLED display with brightness levels reaching up to 1200 nits^[7], allowing for a more vibrant and immersive entertainment experience. New stereo speakers further enhance the experience with rich, balanced sound.

With a 5,000mAh battery included throughout the entire lineup, the new Galaxy A series is designed to keep up with users’ daily routines. Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy A36 5G support 45W charging power and Super Fast Charge 2.0 technology, delivering even faster charging for extended use. Both models also deliver enhanced performance, as Galaxy A56 5G is powered by the Exynos 1580 chipset and Galaxy A36 5G features the Snapdragon® 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform. A larger vapor chamber in both devices helps sustain performance, ensuring smooth gameplay, video playback, and effortless multitasking.

Beyond performance, the new Galaxy A series is built to withstand life’s unpredictable moments. For the first time, Galaxy A26 5G features an IP67 dust and water resistance rating for strong protection against the elements, matching the IP67 rating on Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A56 5G^[8]. Additionally, an advanced Corning® Glass cover material adds a layer of durability against scratches and cracks^[9].

Expanded Protections for Security and Privacy Assured

Thanks to the integration of One UI 7 on the Galaxy A series for the first time, Samsung is further supporting robust security and privacy. With Samsung Knox Vault, the Galaxy A series provides an extra, fortified layer of device safety, transparency and user choice – ensuring sensitive data always stays protected. Equipped with the latest One UI 7 security and privacy features, Galaxy A series users benefit from holistic protection  — including enhancements in Theft Detection, More Security Settings and other features.^[10]

Upon release, Digital Key on Galaxy A56 5G^[11] and Galaxy A36 5G devices^[12] will be available in select markets in Asia, Europe, and North America with more markets to follow.

Samsung will also launch the Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and A26 5G Enterprise Edition^[13], offering business-ready mobile experiences to cutting-edge enterprises of any size. Enterprise customers benefit from up to seven years of security and One UI updates^[14], three years of warranty, and a two-year product lifecycle guarantee to ensure long-lasting and worry-free adoption. It also includes next business day replacement and a one-year license to the Knox Suite – Enterprise Plan, the ultimate package to protect and manage extensive and complex device fleets through granular OS update control, device usage analytics, intelligent security insights, and exclusive features tailor-made for frontline workers^[15].

The new Galaxy A series is available in a range of colours.^[16] Galaxy A56 5G is available in Awesome Lightgrey, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Olive, and Awesome Pink. Galaxy A36 5G is available in Awesome Lavender, Awesome Black, Awesome White, and Awesome Lime; and Galaxy A26 5G is available in Black, White, and Mint.

UK Pricing & Offers

Customers who purchase a Samsung Galaxy A56 5G or a A36 5G from Samsung.com and participating retailers can also claim a Premium Pack worth £138.98 which includes a Galaxy Fit3, a 45W superfast charger and a complementary Silicone case^[17].

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G RRP:

• 8GB Memory + 256GB Storage, £499
• 8GB Memory + 128GB Storage, £459 (Enterprise Edition)

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G RRP:

• 8GB Memory + 256GB Storage, £399
• 6GB + 128GB Storage, £359 (Enterprise Edition)

Samsung Galaxy A26 5G RRP:

• 8GB Memory + 256GB Storage, £299

To find out more about Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, Galaxy A26 5G and other Galaxy smartphones, please visit: Samsung Newsroom, Samsung Mobile Press and Samsung.com.

SPECIFICATION TABLE

^*Specifications may vary by market.
^*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice.

[1] Requires network connection. Availability of search functions and its supported apps may vary by country, language and device. Results may vary depending on visual matches.

[2] Best Face feature is available exclusively on the Galaxy A56 5G device from the Galaxy A series. Best Face is only available for photos taken with Motion Photo turned on. The feature does not generate new facial expressions but selects from frames within the Motion Photo video clip. It can recognise up to five people per image and suggest up to three alternative expressions per person.

[3] Results may vary depending on light condition and/or shooting conditions including multiple subjects, being out of focus or moving subjects.

[4] Results may vary based on the images and the object you’re trying to remove.

[5] Filters feature is unavailable in the 3:4 64MP aspect ratio setting. Its availability might differ based on your device model and software version. Filter availability may vary based on resolution and aspect ratio settings.

[6] Measured diagonally, the screen size is 6.7″ in the full rectangle and 6.5″ accounting for the rounded corners. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and the camera hole.

[7] 1,200 nits at HBM (High Brightness Mode).

[8] Based on lab test conditions for submersion in up to 1 meter of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. Not advised for beach or pool use. Water and dust resistance of the device is not permanent and may diminish over time due to normal wear and tear.

[9] Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®+ is applied to the front and rear of Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G and Galaxy A26 5G.

[10] Availability, features and specifications provided in the article are subject to change and may vary by market and/or model.

[11] Digital Key rollout for Galaxy A56 5G begins in Korea, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. Features may vary depending on each country or region

[12] Digital Key rollout for Galaxy A36 5G begins in Korea, UAE, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the United States. Features may vary depending on each country or region

[13] Availability may vary depending on country or region.

[14] Seven generations of OS updates for A56 5G and six generations of OS updates for A36 5G and A26 5G.

[15] One-year free with purchase of subsequent years.

[16] Colour and model availability may vary depending on carrier.

[17] Purchase from a participating retailer by 15/04/25, claim a Galaxy Fit3 in Black, a 45W superfast charger and a complementary Silicone case (colour dependent on product purchased) from https://samsungoffers.claims/GalaxyAPack within 30 days of purchase. T&Cs apply