Samsung is ready to boost its mid-range lineup in the US with the upcoming Galaxy A56 5G. While last year’s Galaxy A55 skipped the US launch (and honestly, didn’t leave much of a void), the A56 brings some minor upgrades. As excitement builds, many are already comparing the Galaxy A56 5G vs Pixel 9a to see which device offers better value and performance.
But just as Samsung gears up, Google’s Pixel 9a has entered the ring—and it’s swinging hard. With the new Tensor chip, an impressive camera system, and a solid battery packed into a compact, stylish frame, Pixel 9a comes in aggressively at just $499. Throw in Google’s unbeatable software support, and you’ve got a serious threat for any budget-conscious Android fan.
Design and Size
Samsung sticks to its tried-and-true formula with the Galaxy A56—flat aluminum frames, Gorilla Glass Victus+ front and back, and a slightly slimmer build at 7.4mm thickness. It’s pretty light too, at just 198 grams for a 6.7-inch device.
The major tweak? Samsung has unified the rear cameras into a single vertical strip, giving them a cleaner look compared to their usual separate rings.
Meanwhile, the Pixel 9a refines Google’s familiar look, ditching the chunky 3D visor for a flush camera array. With a flat aluminum frame and plastic back, the Pixel 9a embraces simplicity. Sure, the bezels are a little…generous, but the overall design feels cleaner and more premium than its predecessors.
Color options?
- Galaxy A56: Pink, Olive, Graphite, and Light gray
- Pixel 9a: Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris, and Peon
Durability?
- Galaxy A56: IP67 rating
- Pixel 9a: A stronger IP68 rating
Display: Size vs Brightness
The Galaxy A56 flaunts a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen (FHD+, HDR, 120Hz, 1200 nits peak brightness).
The Pixel 9a counters with a smaller but impressive 6.3-inch OLED display (FHD+, HDR, 120Hz), but it absolutely crushes in brightness: a whopping 2561 nits compared to Samsung’s 1715 nits.
Both displays offer great quality, but if brightness matters, Pixel takes the win.
Performance and Software
Under the hood:
- Galaxy A56 5G: Exynos 1580 (4nm), 8GB RAM, 128/256GB storage (no microSD slot)
- Pixel 9a: Tensor G4 (4nm), 8GB RAM, 128/256GB storage
In real-world and benchmark tests, the Pixel 9a outpaces the Galaxy A56 by a good margin, especially in graphics performance. Gaming, multitasking, and heavy apps all feel smoother on Google’s device.
Benchmarks:
- Geekbench 6 Single-Core: Pixel 9a (1687) vs Galaxy A56 (1361)
- Geekbench 6 Multi-Core: Pixel 9a (4385) vs Galaxy A56 (3894)
Pixel also packs Gemini-powered AI features, while the Galaxy A56 offers a more limited suite of mid-range AI tools through Samsung’s Awesome Intelligence.
Both phones will enjoy 7 years of software updates—great news for long-term users.
Cameras: Simplicity Wins
Samsung loads up the Galaxy A56 with a triple-camera setup:
- 50MP main
- 12MP ultra-wide
- 5MP macro (arguably a gimmick)
Pixel 9a keeps it simple yet powerful:
- 48MP main
- 13MP ultra-wide
Thanks to Google’s superior software processing, the Pixel 9a easily outperforms the Galaxy A56 in real-world photography, proving once again that it’s not about the number of lenses, but how you use them.
Battery and Charging
- Galaxy A56: 5000mAh battery
- Pixel 9a: 5100mAh battery (largest ever in a Pixel!)
Battery tests reveal that while both phones offer solid endurance, the Pixel 9a edges out with longer runtimes across web browsing, video playback, and gaming.
Test Results of Battery:
- Pixel 9a: ~20 hours browsing | ~11 hours video | ~12.5 hours gaming
- Galaxy A56: ~18 hours browsing | ~9 hours video | ~10 hours gaming
Verdict: Pixel 9a Steals the Show
While Samsung’s Galaxy A56 5G (around $529) is a capable mid-ranger with stylish looks and decent specs, Google’s Pixel 9a delivers a better all-around package: faster performance, better cameras, longer battery life, and a brighter display—all at a killer price of $499.
If you want the best Android experience under $500, the Pixel 9a is the easy pick.
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