I recently compared the Samsung Galaxy A56 to the Galaxy A36, and despite a $100 price gap, it was clear that the Galaxy A56 is the best choice for most people.
That was more of an apples-to-apples comparison, as both phones target the same type of buyer.
When comparing the Galaxy A56 to the Google Pixel 9a, the discussion gets more complicated. Both phones are outstanding in their own way, and there isn’t a price gap between them.
The Pixel 9a is quirky and appeals to people who love Google’s smartphones. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A56 is more traditional, and if you’re looking for a premium experience on a budget, it’s an attractive option.
I’ve used the Samsung Galaxy A56 and the Google Pixel 9a. Here’s who should buy each.
What I like about the Samsung Galaxy A56
Premium build and smooth performance
The Samsung Galaxy A56 appeals more to enthusiasts and people used to a traditional smartphone experience.
I hear from so many buyers who don’t believe a phone is premium without at least a 6.7-inch display, and I understand the argument.
Many buyers want a large display experience for watching movies and playing games — and the Galaxy A56 delivers.
It features a gorgeous 6.7-inch Super AMOLED 1080p display, refreshing at 120Hz. It’s a fantastic viewing experience, and it’s plenty bright for outdoor use.
The display on the Galaxy A55 reflected Samsung’s efforts last year to make its screens more natural, but I’m glad the company cranked the saturation back up for 2025.
The Galaxy A56 boasts a beautiful panel, and it’s a significant reason why you should consider picking one up.
Performance also isn’t lacking on the Galaxy A56. Its Exynos 1580 chipset is a worthy follow-up to last year’s Exynos 1480.
My Galaxy A56 is smooth, and you’ll rarely encounter lags or slowdowns. Daily tasks are handled with ease, and light to medium gaming is enjoyable on Samsung’s top midranger.
No one will confuse the Exynos 1580 for a Snapdragon 8 Elite — but that’s not the point. Exynos chipsets are significantly better than they used to be, with improved thermals and power efficiency, and the Exynos 1580 is a perfect example.
I’m also pleased that Samsung fitted the Galaxy A56 with 8GB of RAM. It’s not the 12GB international variant, but it’s significantly better than the 6GB in the Galaxy A36.
More RAM keeps performance smooth, and One UI definitely needs it.
The software experience is everything you’ve come to expect from One UI 7. It’s feature-rich and reliable, and Samsung promises six years of software support for the Galaxy A56.
That’s technically one year less than Google with the Pixel 9a, but nothing I’d eat Samsung’s lunch over.
Galaxy AI makes somewhat of an appearance on the Galaxy A56.
Circle to Search and Object Eraser are available, along with a few other items. You won’t find Now Brief on the Galaxy A56, which is no significant loss.
However, you will find the Now Bar, which has become quite valuable. It’s excellent for navigating with Google Maps, and it’s helpful for media controls.
A more efficient Exynos 1580 has additional benefits.
Much like the Galaxy A55, the Galaxy A56 gets outstanding battery life from its 5,000mAh cell. I routinely get two full days of use on a single charge.
Recharge speeds aren’t even that slow by Samsung’s standards, as the Galaxy A56 sports 45W wired charging.
Samsung made an effort to improve the cameras in the Galaxy A56, and it has.
The Galaxy A55 suffered from washed-out photos with poor detail. The images from the Galaxy A56 are much sharper, with better color reproduction.
I’d only consistently rely on the 50MP primary sensor for decent photos, and the Pixel 9a is a significantly better choice for shutterbugs.
Still, the cameras on Samsung’s top midranger aren’t as disqualifying as they used to be.
What I like about the Google Pixel 9a
Outstanding battery life and fantastic cameras
The Google Pixel 9a is ideal for casual users. It has a unique Pixel design, and I’m sure many of its features annoy enthusiasts.
It has thick bezels and a smaller 6.3-inch display, but I don’t care. It’s an outstanding smartphone, and it’s, pound for pound, one of the best values for under $500.
I love that Google maintained the compact feel of the Pixel 8a despite the larger display this year.
It’s not a Super Actua display, such as the ones found on the Pixel 9a’s more expensive siblings, but the 6.3-inch 1080p Actua panel is bright and vibrant.
Dim displays used to be a weak point on Pixel devices, but that’s changed in the last two years. I still give the nod to the Galaxy A56 panel, but the Pixel 9a’s screen is no slouch.
It’s also a different experience. If you enjoy smaller phones and wonder why there are only massive devices for sale in 2025, the Pixel 9a is your savior.
You’ll notice a different feel in the hand with the Pixel 9a. It’s not a cheap-feeling phone by any means, and it carries an IP68 rating, which tops the IP67 on the A56, but it doesn’t have the premium build of the Galaxy A56.
The Pixel 9a sports Gorilla Glass 3 to protect its display, while the Galaxy A56 features Gorilla Glass Victus+ — a significant difference.
A highlight of the Pixel 9a is that it features the same chipset as the flagship lineup: the Tensor G4.
We can have our differences about whether the Tensor G4 is a flagship chipset when you’re paying over $1,000, but at $500, I won’t hear any complaints. It’s an outstanding chipset that is capable of providing smooth performance.
Paired with 8GB of RAM, it’s a formidable combination. It’s not a phone meant for gamers, but it has other advantages.
Android 16 is running smoothly on the Pixel 9a, but I’m really looking forward to what’s coming next.
Later this year, the Pixel 9a will join the rest of the lineup in getting Material 3 Expressive. Google’s visual refresh looks outstanding, and I can’t wait for it to come to the Pixel 9a.
If you’re in the market for a new phone, it’s worth looking ahead, and you’re going to enjoy the changes coming to Google’s software.
Google Gemini is available on the Pixel 9a, but I’m most excited about the usual Pixel extras.
Features like Now Playing don’t seem like a big deal until you don’t have them. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to remember a song I’d heard and wished I had it on the phone I was testing.
Google promises seven years of software support for the Pixel 9a — an impressive amount for a midrange phone.
The Pixel 9a also boasts the best battery life of any Pixel I’ve ever used, easily lasting two days on a single charge from its 5,100mAh cell. The Tensor G4 is power-efficient, and I love the battery performance I get from the Pixel 9a.
It wouldn’t be a discussion about a Pixel without talking about the cameras.
Yes, on paper, the Galaxy A56 features a more versatile camera system, with more lenses, but that’s far from reality. The Pixel 9a wins the point-and-shoot battle.
I wish Google added some warmth back to its computational photography, but I’m still pleased with the results.
The Pixel 9a also produces the best nighttime images of any phone under $500.
It’s not a clear-cut decision
It’s genuinely difficult to choose between the Samsung Galaxy A56 and the Google Pixel 9a.
It’s hard for me to decide, but I don’t think it should be a tough decision for you. You know what kind of buyer you are already.
You’re aware if you’re someone in search of a more traditional smartphone experience or if you’re comfortable with Google’s quirky approach to midrange phones.
Thankfully, there’s no wrong answer here, and if you have $500 to spend, you’re going to wind up with an excellent smartphone.
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- SoC
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Exynos 1580
- RAM
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8GB
- Storage
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128GB
- Battery
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5000 mAh
- Operating System
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OneUI 7.0, Android 15
- Connectivity
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Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, NFC
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is a strong mid-ranger for everyday use. It boasts a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED 120Hz display for smooth visuals and a triple-camera rear setup headlined by 50MP wide shooter.
It’s powered by a 5,000 mAh battery and is designed for long-term use with six generations of Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates.
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- SoC
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Google Tensor G4
- RAM
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8GB
- Storage
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128GB, 256GB
- Battery
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5,100mAh
- Ports
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USB-C
- Operating System
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Android 15, 7 years of updates
Google’s Pixel 9a takes everything that was great about the Pixel 8a and looks to modernize it. With an all-new Pixel 9-inspired look and no camera bump, this might be the best $500 smartphone we’ve seen yet.