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WhichPhoneToBuy

Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A56

The Google Pixel 9 Pro comes out ahead on 7 counts and the Samsung Galaxy A56 on 5.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Google Pixel 9 Pro for

  • More compact: 9.4 mm shorter
  • Brighter display: 3,000 vs 1,200 nits peak
  • Optical zoom (5×), which the other lacks
  • OS updates for longer, until Sep 2031
  • More RAM: up to 16 GB vs 12 GB
  • More storage: up to 1 TB vs 256 GB
  • Better water resistance: IP68 vs IP67

Pick the Samsung Galaxy A56 for

  • Bigger battery: 5,000 vs 4,700 mAh (6% more)
  • Faster wired charging: 45 W vs 27 W
  • Thinner: 7.4 mm vs 8.5 mm
  • Bigger screen: 6.7" vs 6.3"
  • Newer: launched March 2025

Size comparison

The Google Pixel 9 Pro is 9.4 mm shorter, 5.5 mm narrower and 1.1 mm thicker than the Samsung Galaxy A56. Its screen is 0.4" smaller.

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro152.8 × 72 × 8.5 mm
  • Samsung Galaxy A56162.2 × 77.5 × 7.4 mm

Specs side by side

LaunchGoogle Pixel 9 ProSamsung Galaxy A56
AnnouncedAugust 13, 2024March 2, 20251
ReleasedSeptember 4, 2024—
Launch price$999—
BodyGoogle Pixel 9 ProSamsung Galaxy A56
Size152.8 × 72 × 8.5 mm162.2 × 77.5 × 7.4 mm
Thickness8.5 mm7.4 mm (better)
Weight199 g198 g
Framepolished metalSolid metal frame
Backmatte glassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Water resistanceIP68 (better)IP67
ColoursPorcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, ObsidianAwesome Pink, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Olive, Awesome Lightgray
DisplayGoogle Pixel 9 ProSamsung Galaxy A56
Size6.3"6.7"
TypeLTPO OLEDSuper AMOLED
Resolution1280 × 2856 (better)1080 × 2340
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness3,000 nits (better)1,200 nits?
ProtectionGorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Performance and softwareGoogle Pixel 9 ProSamsung Galaxy A56
ChipsetGoogle Tensor G4Exynos 1580
CPU1x 3.1 GHz Cortex-X4 + 3x 2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 + 4x 1.9 GHz Cortex-A5201Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz & 3x2.6 GHz & 4x1.9 GHz)1
Process—4 nm
Ships withAndroid 14Android
OS updates7 years (to Sep 2031) (better)6 years (to Mar 2031)
Security updates7 years (to Sep 2031) (better)6 years (to Mar 2031)
MemoryGoogle Pixel 9 ProSamsung Galaxy A56
RAM16 GB (better)8 GB / 12 GB
Storage128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB (better)128 GB / 256 GB
Card slot—No1
CamerasGoogle Pixel 9 ProSamsung Galaxy A56
Rear50 MP Main 48 MP Ultrawide 48 MP Telephoto (5× optical)50 MP Main, OIS 12 MP Ultrawide 5 MP Macro
Main camera50 MP50 MP
Optical zoom5× (better)None
Front42 MP12 MP
Video8K at 30 FPSUHD 4K (3840 x 2160)@30fps
BatteryGoogle Pixel 9 ProSamsung Galaxy A56
Capacity4,700 mAh5,000 mAh (better)
Wired charging27 W45 W1 (better)
Wireless charging21 W—
Reverse wirelessYes—
ConnectivityGoogle Pixel 9 ProSamsung Galaxy A56
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4GHz+5GHz
Bluetooth5.3Bluetooth v5.3
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 3.2USB Type-C, USB 2.0
Headphone jack—No
eSIMYesYes
Satellite messagingYes—
FeaturesGoogle Pixel 9 ProSamsung Galaxy A56
FingerprintFingerprint Unlock1On-screen, optical1
Stereo speakersYesYes

Highlighted: the better value where one is clearly better. Sources for each phone are listed on the Google Pixel 9 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A56 pages.

Quick answers

Is the Google Pixel 9 Pro bigger than the Samsung Galaxy A56?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro is 9.4 mm shorter, 5.5 mm narrower and 1.1 mm thicker than the Samsung Galaxy A56. Its screen is 0.4" smaller.
Which has the bigger battery, the Google Pixel 9 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy A56?
The Samsung Galaxy A56 has the bigger battery: 5,000 mAh against 4,700 mAh. Real battery life also depends on the chip and screen.
Which gets software updates for longer?
The Google Pixel 9 Pro: its maker promises OS updates until around September 2031, against March 2031 for the Samsung Galaxy A56.

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