Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A56

Our Verdict: Apple iPhone 16 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A56 suit different priorities. The iPhone is stronger for display quality, helped by a sharper 458 PPI display, its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel, and 128GB to 1000GB storage, while the Samsung is better suited to a larger 6.7-inch screen, its Super AMOLED panel, and a larger 5,000 mAh battery. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. 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 screen size matters more.

Over a full contract, the A56 works out around £827 all-in, about £49 less than the iPhone 16 Pro.

Expert Rating
4.2
11 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen
6.3" 6.7"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution
1206 x 2622 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
3,582 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 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
5.2, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight
199 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
£35.29/mo (£29.00 upfront) £20.00/mo (£200.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£569.99 £229.99
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Apple iPhone 16 Pro Samsung Galaxy A56 Samsung Galaxy A56
Expert Rating 4.2
11 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen 6.3" 6.7"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution 1206 x 2622 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 3,582 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 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 5.2, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight 199 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 £35.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
£20.00/mo
£200.00 upfront
SIM-free £569.99 £229.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Apple iPhone 16 Pro

24 Months

128GB

Desert Titanium

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£35.29 a month, £29 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy A56
Samsung Galaxy A56

24 Months

256GB

Awesome Graphite

150GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

Exclusive Deal Details

£20 a month, £200 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is cheaper on contract at £826.60 over the life of the deal from £20.00 per month with £200.00 upfront.

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

The Samsung Galaxy A56 has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 16 Pro's 6.3", the Apple iPhone 16 Pro has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro 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 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro 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 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 and Samsung Galaxy A56?

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

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

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro 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 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro is the more portable of the two: they weigh about the same (199 grams vs 198 grams), it's also the more compact phone at 149.6 x 71.5 x 8.3 mm, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

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

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro 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 and Samsung Galaxy A56 run?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro 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.