Samsung Galaxy A56 vs Realme 14 Pro+ “Pros And Cons”– The Midrange Clash of 2024

Samsung’s new Galaxy A56 is finally here, launching alongside its sibling, the Galaxy A36, as part of Samsung’s revamped mid-range lineup for 2024. But it didn’t arrive without competition. Realme came swinging this year with the bold and premium-looking Realme 14 Pro+.

Both phones fall in the $400 to $500 price bracket, making them accessible midrange options for users looking to upgrade without going flagship. But with their similar price tags, it’s only natural to ask: which one offers better value for your money?

While Samsung is banking on a clean UI, longer software support, and reliable performance, Realme is positioning the 14 Pro Plus as a camera powerhouse with class-leading durability and fast charging.

So if you’re planning to switch phones in 2024 and are stuck choosing between these two, you’re in the right place. We’ll compare everything—design, display, performance, cameras, and more—to help you decide which is the better pick for your needs. Let’s get started by comparing how these phones look and feel in your hand.

Design and Build Quality:

When it comes to looks, the Samsung Galaxy A56 and the Realme 14 Pro+ couldn’t be more different. Samsung sticks with its signature minimalist style that’s been consistent across the Galaxy A and S series for years. In contrast, Realme goes bold with a design that stands out more aggressively in today’s sea of mid-range phones.

The Galaxy A56 features a familiar vertical camera layout and a flat, simple back panel. Its main design update over the A55 is the addition of a slightly recessed black camera island, which helps the lenses stand out more than before. It’s also slimmer now—measuring just 7.4mm in thickness—giving it a sleeker profile in hand.

Samsung continues to impress with premium materials. The A56 boasts a glass back panel paired with an aluminum frame, offering a sturdy, flagship-grade feel. It also comes with IP67 water and dust resistance, making it well protected against splashes and brief water submersion.

However, it does drop one feature users loved in past A-series models: there’s no microSD card slot anymore. While 128GB or 256GB should suffice for many users, expandable storage fans may be disappointed.

The Realme 14 Pro+, on the other hand, adopts a more daring look. It comes with a circular camera module at the top center, flanked by a redesigned bezel that now sits flush instead of fluted like previous Realme phones. Depending on your color choice, the back can even shift hues under sunlight—a cool visual touch.

Despite not having a glass back, the Realme 14 Pro+ doesn’t feel cheap. The materials feel solid, and the finish looks great—especially on the “Aurora White” variant, which turns blue under UV light.

Durability is where Realme pulls ahead. It has a class-leading IP69 rating, which isn’t just water resistance—it’s the highest dust and water protection rating in consumer tech. On top of that, it’s military-grade shock-resistant, giving it the upper hand for clumsy users.

So while both phones look great, the Realme 14 Pro+ wins this round for protection and durability. It may not have the premium glass back of the Galaxy, but with IP69 and military-grade toughness, it’s ready to survive more than just everyday wear.

 

Display Specs and Biometrics:

A great display is essential these days, and both the Samsung Galaxy A56 and the Realme 14 Pro+ deliver. But while both have their strengths, the differences become clearer once you use them side by side.

Starting with the Galaxy A56, it features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This is a display tech Samsung is well known for, and as expected, it delivers deep blacks, vivid colors, and excellent contrast. The phone also supports HDR10+, which enhances compatible videos with more color depth and brightness range.

What’s really impressive is the 1,900 nits peak brightness. It gets seriously bright, making it perfect for outdoor use under direct sunlight. Watching HDR content, especially on YouTube or Netflix, is a treat on this display.

On the Realme side, the 14 Pro Plus sports a larger 6.83-inch OLED panel, also with a 120Hz refresh rate. While the screen size gives you more real estate for gaming or media, it uses a standard HDR10 profile rather than HDR10+, and brightness tops out at 1,500 nits. Colors still look great on the Realme, but side-by-side with the Samsung, you’ll notice the Galaxy A56 has deeper blacks and more vibrant highlights. This is especially noticeable when watching dark scenes or colorful animation.

In terms of protection, the Galaxy A56 uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, while the Realme uses the newer Gorilla Glass 7i. Both are tough, but Victus+ offers slightly better scratch and drop resistance.

Audio performance also complements the display. The Galaxy A56 has better-balanced stereo speakers, delivering a more immersive and rich sound profile. The Realme 14 Pro+, meanwhile, gets noticeably louder at max volume but lacks balance and warmth.

Biometrics are nearly identical on both phones. You get under-display fingerprint sensors and AI face unlock, both working quickly and reliably. However, Samsung’s One UI face unlock feels a touch smoother during unlocking transitions.

So while Realme gives you a bigger display, the Galaxy A56 takes the win for its sharper visuals, superior HDR support, and stronger outdoor visibility.

Software Updates and Apps:

Software is one of the biggest long-term differentiators between the Samsung Galaxy A56 and the Realme 14 Pro+—and in this category, Samsung pulls ahead by a wide margin. The Galaxy A56 ships with One UI 7 based on Android 15, and Samsung has promised an impressive 6 years of software support—including 4 major Android OS upgrades and 2 years of security updates beyond that.

That’s almost flagship-level commitment and makes the A56 a great option for users who want their phone to stay fresh for years. On the flip side, the Realme 14 Pro+ runs on Realme UI 6.0, also based on Android 15. While the interface is fluid and packed with customization, it only gets 2 major Android updates and 3 years of security patches.

This shorter support window could be a dealbreaker for users who don’t upgrade phones every year or two. When it comes to features, both UIs are polished. Realme UI 6.0 has smooth animations, rich theming options, and gesture support. However, it lacks any notable AI-driven tools or smart suggestions.

Samsung’s One UI, in contrast, now includes AI enhancements like text extraction, smart calendar suggestions, and contextual responses across the system. Pre-installed bloatware is minimal on both devices, and most third-party apps can be removed. But Samsung also gives you extra features like Samsung Wallet, DeX Lite, and integration with other Galaxy devices.

So, in terms of longevity, intelligence, and support, the Galaxy A56 clearly wins this round.

Performance and Chipsets:

Under the hood, both the Samsung Galaxy A56 and the Realme 14 Pro+ are powered by capable chipsets designed for the midrange category—but their performance profiles are quite different. The Galaxy A56 runs on Samsung’s own Exynos 1480 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM. It’s an efficient chipset built on a 4nm process and delivers solid, consistent day-to-day performance without unnecessary heat buildup.

The Realme 14 Pro+, meanwhile, is equipped with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, and it gets 12GB of RAM out of the box. On paper, it looks more powerful—and for multitasking and memory-intensive tasks, that additional RAM can make a difference. In daily use, both phones handle browsing, social media, multitasking, and light content creation smoothly. App switching is fluid, and neither phone shows lag in standard tasks.

However, benchmark tests slightly favor the Galaxy A56, especially in GPU performance. It scores higher in Antutu and Geekbench’s graphics-intensive tests. That said, both phones offer good midrange performance, but the A56 edges ahead with slightly more efficient thermal control and GPU consistency.

Gaming Performance and Tests:

Gaming on a midrange phone used to mean compromises, but both the Galaxy A56 and Realme 14 Pro+ deliver smooth experiences with most popular titles.

The Galaxy A56, powered by the Exynos 1480, offers reliable frame rates in games like Mobile Legends, Call of Duty Mobile, and PUBG, even with graphics set to high. It runs cooler during long sessions and doesn’t throttle aggressively.

The Realme 14 Pro+ uses the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, which is slightly more optimized for raw performance. In games like Genshin Impact or Honkai Star Rail, you can run at medium settings with minor frame dips.

However, we noticed that the Realme tends to heat up faster, especially in graphically demanding titles. This affects gameplay comfort during extended play. Realme does have a performance advantage in load times, thanks to the faster UFS storage and 12GB of RAM, but thermal management is weaker.

Samsung’s Game Launcher also provides better in-game optimization tools and FPS monitoring.

In short, the Galaxy A56 offers a more stable and cooler gaming experience, while the Realme 14 Pro+ gives slightly better peak performance—at the cost of heat.

Battery Life and Charging Speed:

Battery performance is where expectations can be flipped—and that’s exactly what happens here. The Realme 14 Pro+ features a larger 6,000mAh battery, while the Galaxy A56 packs a standard 5,000mAh cell.

Surprisingly though, the Galaxy A56 outlasts the Realme in battery endurance tests. In PCMark’s battery benchmark, the A56 managed 15 hours and 15 minutes, while the Realme only reached 11 hours and 28 minutes, despite the bigger battery. Where the Realme fights back is in charging speed: it supports 80W wired charging, compared to Samsung’s slower 45W charging.

Still, the longer-lasting battery life of the A56 makes it the more dependable phone for all-day usage without needing a top-up.

Connectivity:

Both the Samsung Galaxy A56 and Realme 14 Pro+ support a solid range of connectivity features, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC—covering all the essentials for modern users.

The Galaxy A56 gets an edge in network optimization, especially in areas with inconsistent signals. Samsung’s modem tuning seems to provide better reception and call clarity, even in weaker zones. Samsung also includes eSIM support, something missing on the Realme. This feature could be a huge convenience for users who travel frequently or want to run dual networks without a physical SIM tray.

Both phones offer dual stereo speakers, but the A56’s tuning results in a more balanced sound profile. While the Realme 14 Pro+ can get louder, the audio tends to distort slightly at high volumes. Neither phone includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, so wireless audio or USB-C accessories are a must.

As for file transfers and pairing, both support USB-C 2.0, and Realme allows some proprietary fast transfer options via Realme UI, but Samsung’s integration with SmartThings and Quick Share adds an ecosystem benefit. In terms of location services, both phones support GPS, Glonass, Galileo, and BeiDou with strong satellite lock speed.

Overall, the Galaxy A56 offers slightly better-rounded connectivity, especially with the inclusion of eSIM and stronger network optimization.

Cameras Specs and Performance:

Rear Camera Setup and Sensor Capabilities

The Samsung Galaxy A56 and Realme 14 Pro+ approach photography with very different priorities. The Galaxy A56 features a triple camera setup consisting of a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide shooter, and a 5MP macro lens. It’s a configuration that has remained mostly unchanged from the previous A55.

On the other hand, the Realme 14 Pro+ takes a much more ambitious route. It also starts with a 50MP main sensor—specifically the high-end Sony IMX890—but then backs it up with a 50MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide camera. This triple camera system is clearly designed to offer more flexibility, especially when it comes to distance and depth.

Daylight Photography – Sharpness and Color Balance

Both phones deliver solid results in daylight, but there’s a clear visual difference when you compare their output side by side. The Galaxy A56 captures vibrant and saturated colors that are eye-catching, though sometimes slightly exaggerated. In contrast, the Realme 14 Pro+ provides more balanced and true-to-life tones, with sharper definition across textures and highlights.

Dynamic range is better handled on the Realme. Whether shooting under direct sun or in mixed lighting, it preserves details in both bright skies and shadowed areas. Samsung’s processing leans towards brighter highlights, sometimes at the cost of losing detail in overexposed regions.

Zoom Performance and Telephoto Advantage

The Realme 14 Pro Plus has a major strength here with its dedicated 50MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. Not only does it produce crisp zoomed-in photos, but even at 10x digital zoom, images remain highly usable with preserved contrast and clarity.

In contrast, the Galaxy A56 relies entirely on digital cropping from its main sensor. While this works well up to 2x, image quality takes a visible hit beyond that. Photos lose fine detail, and colors can appear slightly washed out.

Ultrawide Shots – Perspective and Processing

When it comes to ultrawide photography, neither phone truly excels, but both are serviceable. The A56’s 12MP ultrawide lens captures a slightly broader field of view compared to the Realme’s 8MP sensor. However, edge distortion and lower detail levels are common on both.

The Realme tries to keep color consistency between its main and ultrawide sensors, which is something the Galaxy A56 occasionally struggles with. In some scenes, the A56’s ultrawide shots appear warmer and slightly flatter in contrast.

Selfies and Front Camera Comparison

Selfie performance is another area where Realme pulls ahead on paper and in real-world results. It uses a 32MP front camera that produces detailed, natural-looking selfies with good skin tones and sharp background separation.

The Galaxy A56 uses a 12MP front camera, which performs well in daylight but lacks the detail and texture retention seen in the Realme’s output. Samsung’s facial smoothing algorithm can be aggressive, even when beauty modes are turned off.

In low light, Realme’s front camera still manages decent exposure and color, while the A56 struggles with noise and softness. Both phones offer screen flash, but Realme’s is more effective.

Night Mode and Low-Light Imaging

Realme’s larger main sensor and image processing algorithms shine in low-light conditions. Night mode on the Realme 14 Pro+

Samsung’s Night Mode isn’t bad, but results often appear a little too soft and occasionally overexposed. While usable for social media, it doesn’t match the depth and clarity the Realme offers when the lights go down.

Video Recording – Stabilization and Output Quality

Both phones support video recording up to 4K at 30fps. However, Realme’s video output is sharper and better balanced in terms of color tone. The stabilization is smooth, and transitions between lighting conditions are handled gracefully.

Samsung offers strong video stabilization as well, but colors sometimes skew overly warm or oversaturated. The A56’s footage is more appealing if you’re viewing on a Samsung display but can look unnatural when compared objectively.

Front camera video quality is capped at 1080p for both phones. Realme still edges ahead in clarity and audio pickup, while Samsung provides more consistent skin tone rendering.

AI Features and Camera App Experience

Realme’s camera app is intuitive and packed with AI features like scene optimization, Pro Mode, long exposure, and intelligent HDR adjustments. The transitions between lenses are quick, and users have more control over advanced settings.

Samsung’s camera UI is clean and user-friendly, offering popular modes like Food, Single Take, and Hyperlapse. However, it lacks the zoom flexibility and depth seen on the Realme app. AI enhancements are less prominent, relying more on Samsung’s image tuning rather than real-time suggestions.

Final Thoughts on the Camera Comparison

Overall, the Realme 14 Pro+ dominates the camera battle, offering a more powerful and versatile setup. Its zoom capabilities, sharper selfies, better low-light performance, and refined video quality make it a solid pick for anyone prioritizing mobile photography.

The Galaxy A56 still delivers respectable shots, especially from the main sensor and in daylight. But its lack of telephoto support, lower-res selfie cam, and less refined ultrawide and video performance hold it back when compared head-to-head with Realme’s imaging powerhouse.

Price and Availability:

Both the Samsung Galaxy A56 and Realme 14 Pro+ are positioned as affordable premium midrange phones, and their pricing reflects that competitive segment. The Galaxy A56 starts at $400 for the 8GB + 128GB variant, while the higher 8GB + 256GB version goes for $450. These prices make it a more budget-friendly option overall.

In contrast, the Realme 14 Pro+ comes in only one configuration: 12GB RAM with 512GB storage, priced at $500. Though it’s more expensive, it offers significantly more internal storage. Both phones are available through official brand stores, online retailers like Lazada and Shopee, and in physical outlets nationwide.

While Samsung offers more price flexibility, Realme gives more storage for the money, depending on what you value most.

BUY Realme 14 Pro+ 5G here

 BUY the Galaxy A56 here

Conclusion:

Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy A56 and the Realme 14 Pro+ ultimately comes down to your personal priorities. If you’re after a reliable all-rounder, the Galaxy A56 nails the basics and then some—offering a gorgeous Super AMOLED display, dependable performance, long battery life, and unmatched software support with 6 years of updates.

Meanwhile, the Realme 14 Pro+ is the phone for those who want bold features: a powerful camera system, faster charging, massive storage, and top-tier durability with an IP69 rating. In daily use, both phones are smooth, modern, and capable—but they serve different needs.

The A56 is more future-proof, with stronger long-term value thanks to Samsung’s ecosystem and update policy. The 14 Pro+ is the creative powerhouse, ideal for photography enthusiasts and users who want the best camera under $500. If you’re picking based on performance stability and battery life, go Samsung. But if cameras and storage are your priority, Realme delivers a punch.

At the end of the day, both are excellent phones for their price, and either one could be the right choice—depending on what matters most to you.

BUY Realme 14 Pro+ 5G here

 BUY the Galaxy A56 here

Frequently Asked Questions

Which phone has better camera quality: Galaxy A56 vs Realme 14 Pro+?

• The Realme 14 Pro+ has the edge, thanks to its 50MP main and 50MP telephoto lenses with 3x optical zoom, offering sharper detail and better zoom performance.

Which has better battery life: Realme 14 Pro+ or Samsung Galaxy A56?

• Despite having a smaller 5,000mAh battery, the Galaxy A56 lasts longer in benchmark tests than the 6,000mAh battery in the Realme, offering better endurance.

Does the Galaxy A56 support expandable storage?

• No, the Galaxy A56 does not have a microSD card slot, which may be disappointing for some users. You get up to 256GB internal storage.

How long does Realme 14 Pro+ take to fully charge?

• With 80W fast charging, the Realme 14 Pro Plus can charge from 0 to 100% in under 40 minutes, which is significantly faster than the A56.

Which phone has better software support?

• The Galaxy A56 wins by a mile, offering 4 years of Android upgrades and 2 additional years of security patches, while Realme only guarantees 2 major OS updates.

Are both phones waterproof?

• The Galaxy A56 has an IP67 rating, while the Realme 14 Pro Plus has a higher IP69 rating and military-grade protection, making it the more durable device.

Which device is better for gaming?

• The Galaxy A56 has better thermal control and a more stable experience in long gaming sessions. The Realme performs well but heats up more quickly.

Do either of the phones support wireless charging?

• No, neither phone supports wireless charging, which is expected at this price point.

Which phone has a brighter screen?

• The Galaxy A56 reaches 1,900 nits, while the Realme 14 Pro+ maxes out at 1,500 nits. Samsung’s panel is also HDR10+ certified for richer contrast.

Which one has better value for money?

• The Galaxy A56 offers better long-term value with software support and performance, while the Realme 14 Pro+ gives more raw features like camera power and storage at a slightly higher cost.

Do both phones have stereo speakers?

• Yes, both phones include dual stereo speakers, though the Galaxy A56 provides a more balanced and fuller sound experience.

Which one should I buy for photography?

• If photography is a priority, go for the Realme 14 Pro+. Its dedicated telephoto lens and better post-processing deliver more flexibility and detail.

Are there differences in the selfie cameras?

• Yes. The Realme 14 Pro+ uses a 32MP front camera, while the A56 uses a 12MP sensor. Realme produces sharper selfies in most conditions.

Which phone is more compact or slimmer?

• The Galaxy A56 is slimmer, with a profile of 7.4mm, giving it a sleeker feel compared to the slightly bulkier Realme.

Which phone has better ecosystem integration?

• Samsung’s Galaxy A56 integrates better with wearables, tablets, and other Galaxy devices thanks to One UI’s ecosystem features like Samsung Wallet and Quick Share.

BUY Realme 14 Pro+ 5G here

 BUY the Galaxy A56 here

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