Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy A56

Our Verdict: Comparing Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy A56, the choice mostly comes down to display quality versus portability. The iPhone gives you a sharper 458 PPI display, its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, and 256GB to 1000GB storage, while the Samsung is more appealing for its Super AMOLED panel and a lighter 198g body. Software may decide it too: the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem, while the Samsung is the Android choice. Choose the iPhone for display quality; choose the Samsung if portability matters more.

The A56 is the cheaper one to own: around £469 over a typical contract, £363 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Expert Rating
4.4
11 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen
6.9" 6.7"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution
1320 x 2868 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
458 385
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 Pro Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Battery
4,685 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 14
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight
227 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
£31.75/mo (£20.00 upfront) £11.00/mo (£189.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£649.99 £229.99
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Samsung Galaxy A56 Samsung Galaxy A56
Expert Rating 4.4
11 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen 6.9" 6.7"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution 1320 x 2868 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 458 385
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 Pro Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Battery 4,685 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android 14
SIM Type nano-SIM and e-SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight 227 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 £31.75/mo
£20.00 upfront
£11.00/mo
£189.00 upfront
SIM-free £649.99 £229.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Black Titanium

Refurbished

1GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£31.75 per month, £20 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy A56
Samsung Galaxy A56

24 Months

256GB

Awesome Lightgrey

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£11 per month, £189 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is cheaper on contract at £469.00 over the life of the deal from £11.00 per month with £189.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Samsung Galaxy A56's 6.7", the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy A56 has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 48 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 16 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 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy A56 use?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A18 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 uses the Exynos 1580 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Samsung Galaxy A56 is the more portable of the two: it's 29g lighter at 198 grams, both are similar in overall footprint, and is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone 16 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 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy A56 run?

The Apple iPhone 16 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.