Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy A56

Our Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy A56 has the better camera on paper, 50MP versus 12MP, and the A56 packs the bigger battery, 5000mAh against 4352mAh, but capacity doesn't compare cleanly across iOS and Android, so it isn't a battery-life verdict on its own. The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max goes up to 1TB of storage, where the A56 tops out at 256GB, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max has the sharper display at 457 PPI to 385. Only pay up for the iPhone 13 Pro Max if you'll use what it offers; if not, the A56 makes more sense.

Buying outright, the A56 starts at £230 SIM-free.

Expert Rating
4.5
10 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.7"
Display
Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD Super AMOLED
Resolution
1284 x 2778 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
457 385
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A15 Bionic Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Battery
4,352 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 14
SIM Type
Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth
5.2, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
Info unavailable 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight
238 grams 198 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts
- £16.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£289.00 £229.99

Prices updated 17 July 2026

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Samsung Galaxy A56 Samsung Galaxy A56
Expert Rating 4.5
10 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.7"
Display Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD Super AMOLED
Resolution 1284 x 2778 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 457 385
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A15 Bionic Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Battery 4,352 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android 14
SIM Type Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions Info unavailable 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight 238 grams 198 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts - £16.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £289.00 £229.99
Prices updated 17 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

128GB

Sierra Blue

Refurbished

From £289

Samsung Galaxy A56
Samsung Galaxy A56

24 Months

128GB

Awesome Olive

10GB

Data

£16.29 per month, £29 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56?

Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.7", the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max has the sharper display at 457 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max uses a Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD panel while the Samsung Galaxy A56 has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Samsung Galaxy A56 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £229.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy A56 use?

The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A15 Bionic, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 uses the Exynos 1580 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Samsung Galaxy A56 is the more portable of the two: it's 40g lighter at 198 grams.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 is rated IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy A56 run?

The Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy A56 runs Android 14. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.