Samsung Galaxy A56 5G (SM-A566B) / Google Pixel 9

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 9: Pixel 9 (GUR25 global model, G2YBB US, G1B60 Japan); 12 GB RAM with 128 or 256 GB; Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen and Peony. The Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9a are separate models.

SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A56 5G (SM-A566B)Google Pixel 9
Release year20252024
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		160 mm (6.3-inch) Actua OLED; 1080 × 2424 at 422 ppi; Smooth Display (60–120 Hz); 20:9

According to Google it reaches up to 1,800 nits in HDR and up to 2,700 nits peak, with contrast above 2,000,000:1. Smooth Display varies the refresh rate between 60 and 120 Hz with the content.

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		12 GB RAM; 128 GB or 256 GB

There is no memory card slot; storage options may vary by region.

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 (Octa PD, ƒ/1.68, 82°, 1/1.31-inch sensor, optical + electronic stabilisation) and 48 MP ultrawide (Quad PD, autofocus, ƒ/1.7, 123°, 1/2.55-inch); Super Res Zoom up to 8x

There is no telephoto camera; Google lists optical-quality zoom at 0.5x, 1x and 2x. The ultrawide camera also handles Macro Focus; a laser autofocus (LDAF) sensor is fitted.

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		10.5 MP front camera (autofocus, ƒ/2.2, 95°); rear 4K at 24/30/60 fps, front 4K at 30/60 fps; 10-bit HDR video; slow motion up to 240 fps

Video offers optical stabilisation, fused stabilisation, Cinematic Pan and Audio Magic Eraser; digital video zoom goes up to 7x.

Google
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		Typical 4,700 mAh (minimum 4,558 mAh); 24+ hours; up to 27 W wired, about 55% in roughly 30 minutes; 15 W wireless with Pixel Stand, 12 W with Qi EPP; Battery Share

Google measures 27 W and 55% in 30 minutes with its separately sold 45 W charger; the box contains only a 1 m USB-C cable (USB 2.0). Battery Share lets the back of the phone wirelessly charge other Qi devices.

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		5G sub-6 GHz (the US model adds mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (2.4/5/6 GHz); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; dual-band GNSS

The Indian model has Wi-Fi 6 (2.4 + 5 GHz). Dual-band GNSS receives two frequencies from positioning satellites for more accurate location in cities.

Google
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		—
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 Samsung152.8 × 72.0 × 8.5 mm; 198 g Google
ColoursAwesome Graphite, Awesome Lightgrey, Awesome Olive, Awesome Pink Samsung—
Glass and build—Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back; polished back with satin metal frame; IP68

IP68 is a dust and water resistance rating; Google notes it is not permanent and that liquid damage is not covered by the warranty.

Google
Chip—Google Tensor G4; Titan M2 security coprocessor Google
Operating system and updates—Launched with Android 14; seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates

The seven years count from when the device first went on sale on the US Google Store.

Google
SIM, port and audio—Single nano SIM + eSIM; USB Type-C 3.2; stereo speakers, three microphones

There is no 3.5 mm headphone jack; unlocking uses fingerprint and face recognition.

Google