Samsung Galaxy A56 5G underwater photography test: our rating for 2026.

To learn how to get the most out of your gear underwater, discover the [AquaExposure Training](/lms). --- ## Introduction

The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G was released in the spring of 2025 with a specific goal: to offer the appearance of a decent camera phone without the price tag of a flagship device. Priced between €310 and €332 new (idealo.fr, July 2026), it targets users who want to try underwater photography without committing to a significant budget.

This positioning is honest. However, it involves real compromises, and our role here is to clearly identify them before you purchase the equipment.

What this phone can do underwater in natural light: It can take decent JPEG photos under good conditions, during shallow dives, with a universal waterproof housing. What it cannot do: produce a usable RAW file, seriously correct color balance in post-processing, or perform well in dark or choppy waters.

If you are unsure which smartphone to choose for underwater photography, start by reading our complete comparison for 2026. This review of the A56 5G is part of this series.

Designed for: Underwater photographers who are curious and on a tight budget, snorkeling trips and shallow dives in good lighting conditions, where JPEGs are acceptable without extensive post-processing.

Not ideal for: deep diving, dark or murky waters, RAW image processing, regular and serious underwater photography practice.

The main sensor of the Galaxy A56 5G is 1/1.56 inches in size, with 50 MP and an aperture of f/1.8, featuring optical image stabilization (OIS). This is respectable for a mid-range device, but significantly smaller than the 1/1.3 inch or larger sensors found in Samsung's flagship phones.

The telephoto lens advertised does not actually exist, it is a digital zoom. For underwater photography, this means that apart from the wide-angle lens and the main sensor, you have no other optical options available.

The 1/1.56" sensor has a light-gathering area that is approximately 35% smaller than the one in the Galaxy S24. In deep dives or under cloudy skies, this difference becomes noticeable from the first few shots.

This is the most limiting aspect of the Galaxy A56 5G for serious underwater photography. Samsung has deliberately locked Expert RAW on the entire A series: the app is not available, and this is not an oversight.

The native camera only produces JPEG and HEIF files in 8 bits. The Pro mode allows you to manually lock the white balance (in Kelvin), which is a positive feature. However, without RAW files, this correction is fixed at the time of capture, leaving no room for fine adjustments in post-processing.

Third-party applications like MotionCam Pro or Blackmagic Camera encounter a very restrictive Camera2 API on this model. According to available field tests, access to RAW files via these apps is at best unreliable, and at worst completely non-functional on the A56. The Exynos 1580 ISP used here is not the same as that of the S series.

In underwater photography using natural light, 80% of the work is done in post-processing on RAW files. With only JPEGs, you are working with already compressed data and a very limited range for corrections.

The Galaxy A56 5G is available with 128GB and 256GB of internal storage (UFS 3.1). There is no microSD card slot - a common limitation on recent A-series phones.

The USB-C connector is limited to the USB 2.0 standard, which caps actual transfer speeds at around 30-40 MB/s. Downloading 256 GB of 4K videos after an intense diving session becomes tedious with these speeds.

With USB 2.0, transferring 10 GB of video takes approximately 4-5 minutes. This isn't a major issue for occasional use, but it can be a real bottleneck if you consistently record in 4K at 30 frames per second.

The Galaxy A56 5G is certified with an IP67 rating. It's important to state this clearly: IP67 guarantees immersion up to 1 meter for a maximum of 30 minutes, under laboratory conditions using fresh water and static pressure.

This does not protect against the dynamic pressure of diving, saltwater exposure over time, or pressure changes during descents. A watertight housing remains mandatory for all dives, even shallow ones.

The cooling system is passive, using a basic vapor chamber. The Exynos 1580 is a mid-range processor: it can throttle its performance during extended 4K video recording in warm conditions.

>[!WARNING] > Silica gel: mandatory. Despite the plastic and glass back (which is a better insulator than aluminum), the risk of condensation forming water remains real. Silica gel is the first line of defense to use before any dive below 15°C.

Tropical overheating: The Exynos 1580 consumes less power than gaming chips or ProRes processors. When submerged in water at 28°C, overheating occurs after approximately 35 minutes of continuous recording - one of the best results in this comparison for this parameter, thanks to the processor's more modest thermal profile.

The IP67 certification provides reassurance against water splashes and rain. However, it does not replace a waterproof case. This is not specific to the A56 - no smartphone should be submerged without dedicated protection when diving.

The strong point of the Galaxy A56 5G is its battery. Its 5000 mAh battery provides excellent battery life, typically enough for two dives on the same day with heavy use of the camera.

Standard Li-ion chemistry results in a predictable voltage drop in cold water (below 10°C). Plan to start with the battery fully charged (100%), and anticipate reduced battery life if you are diving in cold water.

During a day of tropical snorkeling with the screen active between dives, you can expect a battery life of 5 to 7 hours. The battery is not the limiting factor for this phone.

Before each diving session, remember to check your external battery. Use our portable battery comparator tool to choose the right power bank for your dive equipment and desired battery life.

The main sensor of the Galaxy A56 5G uses PDAF (phase detection autofocus integrated into the sensor). This works well for photos of stationary or slowly moving subjects in good lighting conditions.

There is no LiDAR or Time-of-Flight sensor. When diving, this results in difficulties maintaining focus on fast-moving subjects, complex backgrounds, or in waters with reduced visibility.

Focus peaking is not natively available. Third-party applications that offer this feature remain dependent on a somewhat uncooperative Camera2 API on this model.

The AF PDAF system works well in clear and bright water on subjects like calm reef fish. However, it struggles with fast-moving subjects (cephalopods, pelagic fish) or in murky water, where focusing errors become frequent.

There are no custom-molded cases available for the Galaxy A56 5G. Samsung does not market the A series as a phone focused on photography, and case manufacturers follow the same logic.

The most viable solution is the Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus, a universal waterproof enclosure rated for 60 meters that uses a conductive gel to transmit touch commands through the screen. The Galaxy A56 5G fits within its acceptable dimensions.

Mechanical button enclosures (such as the Kraken type) are technically compatible, but access to manual settings underwater becomes very limited without touch interaction.

The SeaTouch 4 Max Plus adequately addresses the lack of a dedicated enclosure. It's a universal solution that works, but it's not equivalent to a custom-made housing.

The Enclosure

The Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus is the recommended solution for the Galaxy A56 5G. It is available directly on divevolk-france.com, priced between €249 (black) and €279 (gray/pink). Packages including arms and lights are available starting from €350.

Make sure to remove any screen protectors before inserting the phone: the conductive gel will not work through plastic film or tempered glass.

The Post-Dive Workflow

Be realistic about what you can achieve in post-processing with this phone. You will only be working with 8-bit JPEGs or HEIF files. Correcting the blue/green tint of water in post-processing will be limited: JPEGs have little dynamic range.

The manual white balance in Pro mode (adjustable in Kelvin) is your primary control when taking photos. Take the time to adjust it before you start shooting, and test a few shots underwater.

For transferring files to a computer, you will need a card reader if you are using a USB-C to memory card adapter, or you can use Wi-Fi (which is slower but more convenient than USB 2.0 for small amounts of data).

Current Prices (July 2026)

New: - Galaxy A56 5G 128 GB: starting from €310 (idealo.fr, July 2026) - Galaxy A56 5G 256 GB: starting from €332 (idealo.fr, July 2026)

Price: - Back Market / Rakuten: starting from €250-€290, depending on cosmetic condition. - Reepeat: starting from €250 in perfect condition (128 GB).

Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus Enclosure: €249-€279 (divevolk-france.com, July 2026)

Total minimum budget (telephone + subwoofer): approximately €500-€580.

Versus Samsung Galaxy S (flagship)

If you're hesitating between the A56 5G and a Galaxy S24 or S25, ask yourself a direct question: do you plan to take underwater photos regularly and work on your images in post-processing?

If so, the upgrade to the S series is justified. It offers native RAW support, a larger sensor, functional third-party RAW apps, more responsive autofocus, and better thermal management. The S24 can be found used for between €450 and €550. The price difference with a new A56 is reduced to €150-€200, for a significant performance gap underwater.

If not, if you go diving three times a year on vacation and want some nice JPEG photos of your local reef, the A56 5G is a decent option. Check out our guide to underwater cameras for beginners to compare it with other options in this price range.

The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G is an honest mid-range smartphone, sold at an affordable price. Its strengths are evident: good battery life, optical image stabilization on the main sensor, and compatibility with the universal Divevolk underwater housing.

Its limitations are just as significant. The complete lack of RAW support (Expert RAW is blocked, third-party apps don't work) is the biggest drawback for anyone who wants to process their images after taking them. The smaller sensor and the autofocus system without LiDAR complete the picture.

For a snorkeler who wants decent photos without taking a financial risk, this is a viable option. For a diver who is starting to take underwater photography seriously, it's better to invest an additional €150-200 in a used Galaxy S24. The result will be incomparably better. Also, consult our guide to waterproof housings for smartphones to choose the right housing for your device.

Overall score: 2.38/5

Are you hesitant? Use our underwater photography equipment comparison tool to compare this camera with other tested models.

To learn more about condensation and overheating, read our dedicated article: Overheating and condensation on smartphones in underwater housings.

The equipment is part of the equation. But some of the best underwater photographs I've seen were often taken with relatively simple cameras by photographers who understood light, composition, and the behavior of their subjects.

If you are a beginner or want to improve your skills in underwater photography using natural light, I have designed a comprehensive training program for that purpose.

Discover underwater photography training