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WhichPhoneToBuy

Google Pixel 9 vs Samsung Galaxy A56

The Samsung Galaxy A56 comes out ahead on 5 counts and the Google Pixel 9 on 3.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Google Pixel 9 for

  • More compact: 9.4 mm shorter
  • Brighter display: 2,700 vs 1,200 nits peak
  • 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 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 9152.8 × 72 × 8.5 mm
  • Samsung Galaxy A56162.2 × 77.5 × 7.4 mm

Specs side by side

LaunchGoogle Pixel 9Samsung Galaxy A56
AnnouncedAugust 13, 2024March 2, 20251
ReleasedAugust 22, 2024—
Launch price$799—
BodyGoogle Pixel 9Samsung Galaxy A56
Size152.8 × 72 × 8.5 mm162.2 × 77.5 × 7.4 mm
Thickness8.5 mm7.4 mm (better)
Weight198 g198 g
FramePolished metalSolid metal frame
BackSilky matte glassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Water resistanceIP68 (better)IP67
ColoursPeony, Wintergreen, Porcelain, Obsidian1Awesome Pink, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Olive, Awesome Lightgray
DisplayGoogle Pixel 9Samsung Galaxy A56
Size6.3"6.7"
TypeActuaSuper AMOLED
Resolution1080 × 24241080 × 2340
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness2,700 nits1 (better)1,200 nits?
ProtectionGorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Performance and softwareGoogle Pixel 9Samsung 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 Aug 2031)6 years (to Mar 2031)
Security updates7 years (to Aug 2031)6 years (to Mar 2031)
MemoryGoogle Pixel 9Samsung Galaxy A56
RAM12 GB8 GB / 12 GB
Storage128 GB / 256 GB128 GB / 256 GB
Card slotNo1No1
CamerasGoogle Pixel 9Samsung Galaxy A56
Rear50 MP Main 48 MP Ultrawide50 MP Main, OIS 12 MP Ultrawide 5 MP Macro
Main camera50 MP50 MP
Optical zoomNoneNone
Front10.5 MP12 MP
Video4KUHD 4K (3840 x 2160)@30fps
BatteryGoogle Pixel 9Samsung Galaxy A56
Capacity4,700 mAh5,000 mAh (better)
Wired charging27 W145 W1 (better)
Wireless charging15 W—
Reverse wirelessYes1—
ConnectivityGoogle Pixel 9Samsung Galaxy A56
5GYes1Yes
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 jackNo1No
eSIMYesYes
Satellite messagingYes—
FeaturesGoogle Pixel 9Samsung Galaxy A56
FingerprintUnder display1On-screen, optical1
Stereo speakersYes1Yes

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

Quick answers

Is the Google Pixel 9 bigger than the Samsung Galaxy A56?
The Google Pixel 9 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 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: its maker promises OS updates until around August 2031, against March 2031 for the Samsung Galaxy A56.

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