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

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: Pixel 8 (2023); 128 and 256 GB; Obsidian, Hazel and Rose. The Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8a are separate models.

SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A56 5G (SM-A566B)Google Pixel 8
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		6.2-inch Actua OLED; 1080 × 2400, 428 ppi; 20:9; Smooth Display 60–120 Hz; always-on display

Google quotes 1400 nits for HDR and 2000 nits peak; contrast above 1,000,000:1. Because the corners are rounded, the visible area is slightly smaller than the 6.2-inch rectangle.

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		—
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		—
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		8 GB LPDDR5X RAM; 128 GB or 256 GB UFS 3.1

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 wide (ƒ/1.68, 1/1.31-inch sensor, 82°, optical + electronic stabilisation); 12 MP ultrawide with autofocus (ƒ/2.2, 125.8°); Super Res Zoom up to 8x

There is no telephoto camera; 8x zoom is software-based. Autofocus on the ultrawide enables Macro Focus shots.

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		—
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		Minimum 4485 mAh (typical 4575 mAh); beyond 24 hours, up to 72 hours with Extreme Battery Saver; up to 27 W wired and 18 W wireless charging; Battery Share

27 W is measured with the Google 30 W USB-C Charger (USB-PD 3.0 PPS) and gives about 50% in 30 minutes; the adapter is sold separately. 18 W wireless needs the Pixel Stand (2nd gen); Qi EPP chargers give up to 12 W.

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		—
SIMNano-SIM and eSIM; SIM+SIM, SIM+eSIM or dual eSIM combinations SamsungDual SIM (single nano-SIM + eSIM)

eSIM depends on the carrier and country.

Google
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		—
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		—
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		—
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		—
Size and weight162.2 × 77.5 × 7.4 mm; 198 g Samsung150.5 × 70.8 × 8.9 mm; 187 g Google
ColoursAwesome Graphite, Awesome Lightgrey, Awesome Olive, Awesome Pink Samsung—
Body and durability—Corning Gorilla Glass Victus front and back; matte aluminium frame; IP68

IP68 (IEC 60529) applies when the device leaves the factory; Google notes the phone is not waterproof or dustproof and resistance is not permanent. The aluminium in the housing is 100% recycled.

Google
Processor and security—Google Tensor G3; Titan M2 security chip

Google provides seven years of Android OS, security and Pixel Drop updates from when the device first became available on the US Google Store.

Google
Video—4K at 24/30/60 fps on rear and front cameras; 10-bit HDR video; slow motion up to 240 fps; HEVC (H.265) and AVC (H.264)

Editing features such as Audio Magic Eraser require the Google Photos app.

Google
Front camera and unlocking—10.5 MP dual PD selfie camera (ƒ/2.2, fixed focus, 95°); under-display fingerprint sensor and Face Unlock Google
Wireless—Wi‑Fi 7 (802.11be, 2.4/5/6 GHz; US, Canada, UK, EU and Australia); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; dual-band GNSS

It is listed as Wi‑Fi 6E in Japan and Wi‑Fi 6 in Taiwan, Singapore and India. The model for Europe and other markets is GPJ41.

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

The USB-C cable in the box is USB 2.0.

Google
Sensors—Proximity, ambient light, accelerometer, gyrometer, magnetometer, barometer Google