Apple iPhone 16e vs Samsung Galaxy A56

Our Verdict: The Apple iPhone 16e and Samsung Galaxy A56 are aimed at different priorities, with the smaller, easier-to-handle body on one side and a larger 6.7-inch display on the other. The screen sizes are 6.1 inches for Apple iPhone 16e and 6.7 inches for Samsung Galaxy A56; samsung Galaxy A56 has the bigger battery capacity, but iOS and Android do not turn mAh into battery life in exactly the same way. That leaves the Apple iPhone 16e as the pick for the smaller, easier-to-handle body, with the Samsung Galaxy A56 better for a larger 6.7-inch display.

Over a full contract, the A56 works out around £420 all-in, about £156 less than the iPhone 16e.

Expert Rating
3.7
12 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
457 385
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Battery
4,005 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 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/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight
167 grams 198 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts
£22.79/mo (£29.00 upfront) £16.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£349.99 £229.99

Prices updated 13 July 2026

Apple iPhone 16e Apple iPhone 16e Samsung Galaxy A56 Samsung Galaxy A56
Expert Rating 3.7
12 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 457 385
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Battery 4,005 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 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/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight 167 grams 198 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts £22.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
£16.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £349.99 £229.99
Prices updated 13 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16e
Apple iPhone 16e

24 Months

128GB

White

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£22.79 per month, £29 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy A56
Samsung Galaxy A56

24 Months

128GB

Awesome Lightgrey

10GB

Data

£16.29 per month, £29 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is cheaper on contract at £419.96 over the life of the deal from £16.29 per month with £29.00 upfront.

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

The Samsung Galaxy A56 has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 16e's 6.1", the Apple iPhone 16e has the sharper display at 457 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone 16e uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy A56 has a Super AMOLED.

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

The Apple iPhone 16e 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 16e 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 16e and Samsung Galaxy A56?

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

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

The Apple iPhone 16e is powered by the Apple A18 (3 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A56 uses the Exynos 1580 (4 nm).

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

The Apple iPhone 16e is the more portable of the two: it's 31g lighter at 167 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

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

The Apple iPhone 16e is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy A56 is rated IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 16e and Samsung Galaxy A56 run?

The Apple iPhone 16e 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.