Hi everyone, and welcome! It’s Hugo. People often tell me, “Hugo, it’s nice that you always compare high-end phones, but what about the mid-range?” Well, don’t worry. Today, I’m pitting two serious contenders against each other: the Realme 14 Pro+ and the Samsung Galaxy A56.

These are two smartphones targeting the same segment. However, they offer quite different experiences. By the way, feel free to tell me in the comments if you want other comparisons featuring the Galaxy A56. Your feedback means a lot!

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My Particular Fondness for These Two Models

If you’ve been following my latest videos, you already know something. The Realme 14 Pro+ is my genuine top pick for this early part of the year. Especially in the affordable phone category. For me, it’s a real banger. However, you also know my soft spot for Samsung phones. I really like their approach. So, this promises to be an exciting matchup. I’m comparing two devices I truly appreciate.

Design: Two Opposing Philosophies

Let’s start with the looks. Here, the two brands adopt distinct visions.

The Realme 14 Pro+: Chinese Audacity

On one side, Realme offers a design I’d call “Chinese chic.” The rear camera module is circular. This echoes some very high-end models. I’m thinking of the Honor Magic 7 Pro or the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. The back has a rather unique “coral” effect. Its color changes with the ambient temperature. Above 16°C (about 61°F), it can turn blue or yellow. If it’s yellow, it means it’s quite warm where you are! I also notice rounded edges. A bronze-gold highlight surrounds the phone. You find this touch around the camera module too. It’s a bold design.

The Samsung Galaxy A56: Modern Simplicity

On the other side, Samsung plays the simplicity card. The Galaxy A56 is cleaner, simpler. Its design feels more modern in its approach. On the back, the sensors are aligned vertically. They are grouped in the top left corner. The edges are flat, made of brushed aluminum. The buttons (power and volume) are slightly raised. Personally, I find Samsung’s approach a bit more premium.

Dimensions and Handling

The dimensions of the two phones are quite similar. However, the Galaxy A56 is lighter and thinner. I must admit, I find the Samsung’s design more successful. It’s more universally appealing. If I did a street poll, I bet a majority would prefer the look of the A56. It has that reassuring and elegant quality.

Screens: Which Offers the Best Visual Experience?

Let’s move on to the screens, a crucial point.

Regarding the Samsung screen, it’s completely flat. The Realme, however, opts for a slightly curved screen. It’s also a bit larger: 6.83 inches versus 6.7 inches for the A56. I noticed that the Galaxy A56 has thicker bezels.

Both devices use OLED technology. Samsung calls it AMOLED, but it’s the same underlying tech. They share a 120 Hz refresh rate. The screen resolution is also very close. In terms of brightness, it’s almost identical in daylight. The A56 might perform slightly better. But both are more than adequate for outdoor use.

However, I have a confession to make. It’s rare, but I prefer the Realme’s screen here. Usually, Samsung screens are my favorites. They are often gems. The Samsung Galaxy A56 screen is excellent, don’t get me wrong. But for watching videos or gaming, I prefer the Realme. It’s larger, more immersive. I also love the color rendering on this screen.

Price and Availability: A Close Match

I almost forgot to talk about prices! This is important. Overall, both phones fall into the same price range. Neither model is significantly more expensive than the other. It all depends on the current promotional offers.

For example, as I write this (it’s April 14, 2025), the Galaxy A56 is €471 on Samsung’s official store. You have a choice of four colors: gray, graphite, sage green, and pink. Note: These prices are indicative and based on the original transcript; they may have changed since.

On the Realme side, the 14 Pro+ is currently listed at €500. But be aware, not long ago, at its launch, you could find it for €400. So, you need to watch for the right deal. With a bit of luck, you can get it for less. As for colors, the choice is more limited. There’s the coral version I’m showing you. There’s also a black version, which is more understated.

Performance: Exynos Chip vs. Snapdragon

Under the hood, the configurations differ.

The Samsung Galaxy A56 packs 8 GB of RAM. It’s powered by a house-made processor, the Exynos 1580. The Realme 14 Pro+ uses the Snapdragon 7S Gen 3. It’s paired with 12 GB of RAM (depending on the version).

When I look at the Geekbench scores, the Galaxy A56 performs slightly better. Its score is a bit higher. But let’s be clear: both achieve typical mid-range scores.

However, my real-world experience is a bit different. I’ve already experienced some slowdowns on the A56. Especially in certain apps. Surprisingly, I don’t recall having this issue with the Realme. It felt smoother in daily use.

In terms of gaming, no worries. Both phones run most games. Of course, you can’t push the graphics to the max. They aren’t powerhouses. But you’ll get sufficient definition. The frame rate will be decent, without major stutters.

Interface and Software: A Comparable User Experience?

Usually, when I compare a Samsung to another brand, I say it outright. I prefer Samsung’s interface, One UI. On the Galaxy A56, we find One UI 7. It’s an interface I really like.

However, there’s a catch. The version of One UI 7 on the A56 is “bridled” (limited). It doesn’t have all the features of the high-end models. This ultimately makes it quite equivalent to Realme’s interface.

Realme uses an interface based on OnePlus’s (OxygenOS/ColorOS). It’s really well done. Much better than Xiaomi’s MIUI, for example. It’s smooth, pleasant to use. You can customize a lot of things.

Ultimately, on this point, the two are on par. The choice will depend on your personal preferences. The overall user experience is very similar.

What About Artificial Intelligence?

You might think AI makes a difference. Yes, even on phones around €500, you find basic AI features. Both devices integrate Gemini and Circle to Search. These are Google’s basic AI features. They also offer photo editing tools. You can remove objects or people. Basically, the AI experience is the same on both phones.

Updates: The Samsung Advantage

Where Samsung scores a major point is software support. Samsung promises up to 6 years of major updates for the A56. That’s a considerable advantage for the phone’s longevity. Realme doesn’t commit to such a long period.

Battery Life and Charging: The Realme’s Strong Suit

But Realme catches up on a critical criterion: battery life. The Realme 14 Pro+ significantly outperforms the Galaxy A56 on this point.

Specifically, the Realme packs a massive 6000 mAh battery. The Samsung makes do with 5000 mAh. The difference is noticeable. Furthermore, the Realme offers 80W fast charging. The Galaxy A56 maxes out at 45W.

These aren’t just numbers. In real life, the Realme easily lasts two days without recharging. Its battery life is truly impressive. It’s a real marathon runner.

Photography and Video: The Sensor Duel

Another highly anticipated battle: photo and video.

The Camera Setups

On the Samsung side, we find a triple camera setup:

• 50 MP main sensor
• 12 MP ultra-wide
• 5 MP macro sensor
• 12 MP selfie camera

On the Realme side, the proposition seems more interesting to me:

• 50 MP main sensor (wide-angle)
• 50 MP telephoto sensor
• 8 MP ultra-wide
• 32 MP selfie camera

The presence of a telephoto lens on the Realme is a real plus. It allows for better quality optical zoom. I find this much more useful than a macro sensor.

Photo Rendering: Versatility vs. Colorimetry

I’ll let you judge for yourselves with the photos (not included here, but let’s imagine). Personally, I love the versatility offered by the Realme thanks to its telephoto lens. However, I also really like the color science and contrast of Samsung photos. The rendering is often flattering and ready to share. It’s a tough choice.

Video Test

I tested video recording in 4K at 30 frames per second. That’s the maximum possible on both devices. I noticed that both, especially the Realme, can struggle with quick autofocus. I sometimes had to do it manually.

In low-light conditions (like inside a castle entrance), both perform decently. The Realme even has an interesting feature. It uses the screen as a fill flash to improve brightness in low-light selfie videos. Not bad!

My Personal Verdict

So, who is the best mid-ranger between these two? Honestly, there’s no absolute winner. It all depends on your priorities.

• If you prioritize an elegant and universally appealing design, exceptional software support, and a proven Samsung interface, the Galaxy A56 is an excellent choice. Its overall photo quality is also very good.
• If you’re looking for monstrous battery life, ultra-fast charging, a more immersive screen, and the versatility of a telephoto lens, then the Realme 14 Pro+ will appeal more to you. Its design is bolder.

Personally, I’m torn. I like Samsung’s pragmatism and reliability. But the Realme’s battery life and screen are very strong arguments.