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Take off in economy: the new Samsung will become the "killer" of the iPhone 16e
Izvestia has tested a new mid-budget Samsung Galaxy A56 smartphone in the price range of up to 55 thousand rubles. As it turned out, the smartphone is ahead of another 2025 novelty, the iPhone 16e, in all respects. Experts believe that the new Samsung Galaxy A-series models will be able to entice those who are disappointed with the characteristics of the "cheapest iPhone." For more information, see the Izvestia article.
New budget smartphones in 2025
On April 7, Samsung smartphones received the biggest update in 2025 — the latest version of the One UI 7 firmware with Galaxy AI artificial intelligence features and interface design updates was released. At the beginning of the month, three new Galaxy A-series models appeared in Russia: A26, A36 and A56 with support for AI selection, writing assistant and other smart functions. They have also been enhanced with support for Now Bar technology, which shows the most important updates in real time right on the lock screen.
—Without a doubt, AI functions with rich tools remain one of the key advantages of Samsung Galaxy," Eldar Murtazin, a leading analyst at Mobile Research Group, told Izvestia.
Other features of the new products include the integration of AI tools based on the One UI 7 interface, enhanced security using Samsung Knox Vault technology, an updated "Circle and Find" function for quick information and music search, as well as improved cameras: main (50 MP), ultra-wide-angle (12 MP) and front-facing with HDR-by recording.
Izvestia tested the new devices, and found that the cost of the flagship budget A56 model is approaching the price of the iPhone 16e (128 GB) from Apple after its gradual decline in March and April. Thus, the devices are in the same category — from 45 thousand to 55 thousand rubles. At the same time, experts interviewed by the editorial board believe that the Samsung Galaxy A56 model, which is powerful for its cost, has every chance of winning over part of the audience of Apple phone fans in the very near future.
For Samsung, the A series of devices has been one of the most efficiently marketed for many years. But recently, in terms of price and quality, the series has gone up, said Eldar Murtazin. Samsung earns more on its S-series flagships, but as a percentage, the A56 provides a more profitable margin, the expert noted.
— The A56 model is already selling much better in Russia than the iPhone 16e. 10 A56 series devices are sold per Apple smartphone. It is impossible to compare, any Samsung is more popular in a number of parameters, and devices are more popular in unit terms, more of them are sold," added Eldar Murtazin.
According to IT expert Sergey Pomortsev, Samsung has been holding the real championship in retail for several years in a row, and the A36 and A56 will become real "killers" for the iPhone 16e, which is too expensive for its stuffing. He noted that, unlike Apple, Samsung's suppliers are actively investing in marketing in Russia, increasing the popularity of the brand's devices, while Apple once again prohibits Russians from accessing its services, as happened with Apple TV+.
"It's not surprising that the strength of the iPhone brand, which has lost its former luster, is beginning to tire Russian consumers, who find it increasingly difficult to overpay for a name every year," added Sergey Pomortsev.
Pros and cons of new products
The iPhone 16e with 128 GB is an inferior smartphone due to the format "I installed applications, and you immediately send all photos and videos to the cloud because there is no place for them on the smartphone." In addition, Apple added an ultra-wide-angle camera from the iPhone 16 Pro, but saved on optics, the editor-in-chief believes. Ferra.ru Evgeny Kharitonov.
— As a result, the quality of shooting on the main camera of the iPhone 16e and Galaxy A56 is equal during the day, and at night Samsung, with its three-year-old camera, sometimes even takes over. In addition, Samsung has an ultra-wide-angle camera, while the iPhone 16e has only one rear camera. Smartphones are about the same in terms of autonomy, but Samsung charges half an hour faster than an iPhone," he added.
According to Eldar Murtazin, the A-series is popular, but the A51 and A52 models at a lower price have become the most in demand in it. At the same time, he believes that Samsung is now competing more with Chinese smartphones running on Android OS, and retains competitive advantages thanks to such things as seven years of support, the aesthetically pleasing One UI 7 and other options that the "Chinese" do not have.
— All the characteristics of the A56 have improved compared to the previous generation. There is competition in Russia between Samsung and Apple, but the iPhone has its own audience in many ways. I think the A56 won't be able to completely kill sales of the 16e in Russia, but it doesn't need to. Ultimately, much in this race will depend on further marketing support and the actions of other competitive brands such as Huawei or Xiaomi," said Denis Kuskov, CEO of TelecomDaily.
Samsung Galaxy A56 has every chance to be a sought-after novelty in Russia due to a balanced combination of characteristics. In particular, due to a good AMOLED display with a high refresh rate, a large battery with fast charging, high-quality cameras and protection from moisture, explained Vladimir Zykov, director of the Association of Professional Users of Social Networks and Messengers.
— Previously, Google had the opportunity to add a foreign bank card in the Google Pay application, it was convenient, but it was removed. Koreans have their own Samsung Pay application, to which you can link a foreign bank card and pay contactless in stores — a clear plus for those who do not like crutches, — said Vladimir Zykov.
With the exception of compactness and gaming performance, the iPhone 16e either performs the same as the A56 or worse. The biggest disappointment is the single rear camera, which is degraded compared to the base iPhone 16. At the same time, Samsung is cheaper in most cases, so it will be in demand, Evgeny Kharitonov is convinced. He noted that the Galaxy A56 is still one of many mid—range Android smartphones, and the 16e is the only current iPhone in a new condition for 65 thousand rubles with 256 GB, so Apple will still sell in large numbers in Russia, despite its objective shortcomings.
The new A36 and A56 were provided to Izvestia for testing by the Samsung galaxystore chain of branded stores, part of the Inventive Retail Group.
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