Samsung Galaxy A56 5G (SM-A566B) / Google Pixel 8 Pro

Samsung Galaxy A56 5G (SM-A566B): SM-A566B (Europe/UK); the listed configuration is 8 GB / 256 GB, with 8/128 and 12/256 GB depending on market. The Galaxy A55 (previous generation) and Galaxy A36 5G are separate models.

Google Pixel 8 Pro: Pixel 8 Pro (2023); 12 GB RAM, 128/256/512 GB (1 TB in the US). Model number GC3VE, G1MNW or GE9DP depending on market. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 Pro are separate models.

SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A56 5G (SM-A566B)Google Pixel 8 Pro
Release year20252023
Display6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED, 2340 × 1080; up to 120 Hz refresh; up to 1,200 nits in High Brightness Mode

120 Hz makes scrolling smoother; 1,200 nits is reached in High Brightness Mode, which switches on automatically in sunlight. Allowing for the rounded corners, the visible area is 6.5 inches.

Samsung
6.7-inch (170 mm) Super Actua LTPO OLED; 1344 × 2992 at 489 PPI; 20:9; Smooth Display (1–120 Hz)

An LTPO panel can drop the refresh rate as low as 1 Hz for static content, saving power with the always-on display and while reading, and rises to 120 Hz for motion. Google notes it is not available for all apps or content. Because the corners are rounded, the actual viewable area is less than 6.7 inches.

Google
GlassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+ front and back (camera glass excluded)

Glass on the back as well is uncommon in this class; Samsung notes the camera lens covers are not included.

Samsung
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ProcessorExynos 1580 (4 nm); octa-core: 1 × 2.9 GHz, 3 × 2.6 GHz, 4 × 1.9 GHz; Xclipse 540 GPU

Samsung says a larger vapor chamber than the previous generation spreads heat better in games and multitasking.

Samsung
Google Tensor G3; Titan M2 security coprocessor

Tensor G3 includes a TPU that accelerates on-device AI models. Titan M2 is a separate security chip that protects the lock screen and encryption keys.

Google
Memory and storage8 GB RAM, 256 GB storage (234.4 GB available); 8/128 and 12/256 GB options depending on market; no microSD slot

With no card slot, storage cannot be expanded later, so the capacity choice matters for heavy photo and video use.

Samsung
12 GB LPDDR5X RAM; 128, 256 or 512 GB UFS 3.1 (also 1 TB in the US)

Storage options vary by region and channel; there is no memory card slot.

Google
Rear cameras50MP wide, ƒ/1.8, autofocus and OIS; 12MP ultra-wide, ƒ/2.2; 5MP macro, ƒ/2.4; 10× digital zoom

Optical stabilisation (OIS) is on the main camera only and reduces shake at night and in video. There is no telephoto camera; zoom is digital.

Samsung
50 MP Octa PD wide (ƒ/1.68, 1/1.31", 82°); 48 MP Quad PD ultrawide (ƒ/1.95, 125.5°, autofocus); 48 MP Quad PD telephoto (ƒ/2.8, 21.8°, 5x optical); Super Res Zoom up to 30x

Optical and electronic stabilisation work together on the wide and telephoto cameras. Zoom beyond 5x is digital. Pro controls allow manual shutter, ISO and focus and high-resolution (50 MP) shots. A multi-zone laser autofocus sensor helps focus in low light.

Google
Front camera and video12MP front camera, ƒ/2.2, fixed focus; 4K 30 fps recording on the rear camera, 240 fps slow motion in HD; 10-bit HDR video on the front camera

4K recording is limited to 30 fps; smoother video needs a drop to 1080p.

Samsung
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Battery and charging5,000 mAh (typical); up to 29 hours video playback; 45 W Super Fast Charging 2.0 (adapter sold separately)

45 W speeds need a 45 W USB PD PPS adapter; lower-powered adapters take longer.

Samsung
5,050 mAh typical (4,950 mAh minimum); up to 30 W wired, about 50% in 30 minutes; Qi wireless (23 W on Pixel Stand 2nd gen, 12 W on Qi EPP); Battery Share

Google quotes beyond 24-hour battery life and up to 72 hours in Extreme Battery Saver (many features including 5G off). Figures use the separately sold Google 30 W USB-C charger (USB-PD 3.0 PPS). Battery Share significantly reduces the phone’s battery life.

Google
Connectivity5G Sub-6; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax, 2.4/5 GHz); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; USB-C (USB 2.0); no 3.5 mm headphone jack

USB 2.0 is slower than USB 3 ports for large video transfers and has no video output.

Samsung
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SIMNano-SIM and eSIM; SIM+SIM, SIM+eSIM or dual eSIM combinations Samsung—
Location and sensorsGPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS; in-display fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, geomagnetic, light and virtual proximity sensor

A virtual proximity sensor uses software and other sensors rather than dedicated hardware to turn the screen off during calls.

Samsung
Dual-band GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou); proximity, ambient light, accelerometer, gyrometer, magnetometer, barometer, temperature; under-display fingerprint and Face Unlock Google
Water and dust resistanceIP67 (tested in up to 1 m of fresh water for up to 30 minutes)

This is no guarantee against seawater, pool water or pressurised water.

Samsung
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Software and updatesShips with One UI 7; 6 generations of Android/One UI upgrades and 6 years of security updates (until 31 March 2032 on the UK page)

This is the longest support yet in the Galaxy A series; rollout timing can vary by country and carrier.

Samsung
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SecuritySamsung Knox Vault, Auto Blocker, Theft Protection

Knox Vault stores sensitive data such as PINs and passwords in an isolated hardware area separate from the main processor.

Samsung
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Size and weight162.2 × 77.5 × 7.4 mm; 198 g Samsung162.6 × 76.5 × 8.8 mm; 213 g Google
ColoursAwesome Graphite, Awesome Lightgrey, Awesome Olive, Awesome Pink SamsungObsidian, Porcelain, Bay, Mint

Colour availability varies by region.

Google
Brightness and contrast—Up to 1,600 nits (HDR) and up to 2,400 nits (peak); >1,000,000:1 contrast; HDR support, full 24-bit colour

Google measures the HDR figure at a 100% on-pixel ratio and the peak figure at a 5% on-pixel ratio; 2,400 nits is a ceiling for small bright areas.

Google
Front and back glass—Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass; matte Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back; polished aluminium frame

The matte back shows fewer fingerprints; the standard Pixel 8 has a polished back and a matte frame.

Google
Video—Rear: 4K and 1080p at 24/30/60 fps, 10-bit HDR; front: 4K at 24/30/60 fps; Video Boost and Night Sight Video; slow motion up to 240 fps; digital zoom up to 20x

Video Boost uploads video to Google’s servers to reprocess colour, lighting and stabilisation; it needs the Google Photos app and the result is not instant. Night Sight Video uses this processing in low light.

Google
Front camera—10.5 MP dual PD (ƒ/2.2, 95°, autofocus)

The standard Pixel 8 has a fixed-focus front camera; the autofocus on the 8 Pro keeps close selfies sharp.

Google
Temperature sensor—Contactless temperature sensor in the rear camera bar

Google says the sensor can measure the temperature of an object, such as a pan or milk in a baby’s bottle. Google said it applied to the FDA for body-temperature use; that use depends on the country.

Google
Wireless—Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be; 2.4 + 5 + 6 GHz, 2x2 + 2x2 MIMO; US, CA, UK, EU, AU); Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra-Wideband; NFC; Google Cast

Wi-Fi 6E is listed in Japan and Wi-Fi 6 in Taiwan, Singapore and India. Ultra-Wideband measures direction and distance to compatible devices.

Google
Cellular and SIM—5G sub-6 model GC3VE; mmWave + sub-6 model G1MNW; Japan model GE9DP (FeliCa); single nano-SIM + eSIM

eSIM support depends on the operator.

Google
Port and audio—USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2; stereo speakers; three microphones; spatial audio

The bundled cable runs at USB 2.0 speed. There is no headphone jack. A Quick Switch adapter is in the box.

Google
Operating system and updates—Android; seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates

The period counts from when the device first became available on the US Google Store (12 October 2023).

Google
Durability—IP68 dust and water resistance (IEC 60529)

Resistance can diminish over time; liquid damage voids the warranty.

Google
Warranty—US, CA, JP, TW, IN, SG: 1 year; EU, UK, AU: 2 years Google