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WhichPhoneToBuy

Google Pixel 9a vs Samsung Galaxy A56

The Google Pixel 9a comes out ahead on 5 counts and the Samsung Galaxy A56 on 4.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Google Pixel 9a for

  • Lighter: 187.1 g vs 198 g (10.9 g less)
  • More compact: 7.3 mm shorter
  • Brighter display: 2,700 vs 1,200 nits peak
  • OS updates for longer, until Apr 2032
  • Better water resistance: IP68 vs IP67

Pick the Samsung Galaxy A56 for

  • Faster wired charging: 45 W vs 23 W
  • Thinner: 7.4 mm vs 8.9 mm
  • Bigger screen: 6.7" vs 6.3"
  • More RAM: up to 12 GB vs 8 GB

Size comparison

The Google Pixel 9a is 7.3 mm shorter, 3.8 mm narrower, 1.5 mm thicker and 10.9 g lighter than the Samsung Galaxy A56. Its screen is 0.4" smaller.

  • Google Pixel 9a154.9 × 73.7 × 8.9 mm
  • Samsung Galaxy A56162.2 × 77.5 × 7.4 mm

Specs side by side

LaunchGoogle Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A56
AnnouncedMarch 19, 2025March 2, 20251
ReleasedApril 10, 2025—
Launch price$499—
BodyGoogle Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A56
Size154.9 × 73.7 × 8.9 mm162.2 × 77.5 × 7.4 mm
Thickness8.9 mm?7.4 mm (better)
Weight187.1 g (better)198 g
FrameSatin metalSolid metal frame
BackComposite matteCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Water resistanceIP68 (better)IP67
ColoursObsidian, Porcelain, Iris, PeonyAwesome Pink, Awesome Graphite, Awesome Olive, Awesome Lightgray
DisplayGoogle Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A56
Size6.3"6.7"
TypepOLEDSuper AMOLED
Resolution1080 × 24241080 × 2340
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness2,700 nits (better)1,200 nits?
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Performance and softwareGoogle Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A56
ChipsetGoogle Tensor G4Exynos 1580
CPU—Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz & 3x2.6 GHz & 4x1.9 GHz)1
Process—4 nm
Ships withAndroid 15Android
OS updates7 years (to Apr 2032) (better)6 years (to Mar 2031)
Security updates7 years (to Apr 2032) (better)6 years (to Mar 2031)
MemoryGoogle Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A56
RAM8 GB8 GB / 12 GB (better)
Storage128 GB / 256 GB128 GB / 256 GB
Card slotNo1No1
CamerasGoogle Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A56
Rear48 MP Main, OIS 13 MP Ultrawide50 MP Main, OIS 12 MP Ultrawide 5 MP Macro
Main camera48 MP50 MP
Optical zoomNoneNone
Front13 MP12 MP
Video4K at 60 FPSUHD 4K (3840 x 2160)@30fps
BatteryGoogle Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A56
Capacity5,100 mAh5,000 mAh
Wired charging23 W45 W1 (better)
Wireless charging7.5 W—
ConnectivityGoogle Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A56
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6E802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax 2.4GHz+5GHz
Bluetooth5.3Bluetooth v5.3
NFCYesYes
USBUSB Type-C 3.2USB Type-C, USB 2.0
Headphone jackNo1No
eSIMYesYes
FeaturesGoogle Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy A56
FingerprintUnder displayOn-screen, optical1
Stereo speakersYesYes

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

Quick answers

Is the Google Pixel 9a bigger than the Samsung Galaxy A56?
The Google Pixel 9a is 7.3 mm shorter, 3.8 mm narrower, 1.5 mm thicker and 10.9 g lighter than the Samsung Galaxy A56. Its screen is 0.4" smaller.
Which has the bigger battery, the Google Pixel 9a or the Samsung Galaxy A56?
The Google Pixel 9a has the bigger battery: 5,100 mAh against 5,000 mAh. Real battery life also depends on the chip and screen.
Which gets software updates for longer?
The Google Pixel 9a: its maker promises OS updates until around April 2032, against March 2031 for the Samsung Galaxy A56.

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