Apple iPhone SE (2020) vs Samsung Galaxy A56

Our verdict: When it comes to contract value, the Apple iPhone SE (2020) wins — it's £125.84 less than the Samsung Galaxy A56 overall. For screen quality, the Samsung Galaxy A56 leads with a 6.7" display and 385 PPI density. Keen photographers will appreciate the Samsung Galaxy A56 and its 50MP main camera. Up front, the Samsung Galaxy A56 wins with a 12MP selfie camera.

Expert Rating
4.2
25 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen
4.7" 6.7"
Display
Retina HD display Super AMOLED
Resolution
1334 x 750 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
326 385
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
7 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 14
SIM Type
Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 4G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight
148 grams 198 grams
Water Resistance
IP67 - Dust and water resistant IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts
£7.99/mo (£69.00 upfront) £11.95/mo (£145.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£64.98 £349.00
Apple iPhone SE (2020) Apple iPhone SE (2020) Samsung Galaxy A56 Samsung Galaxy A56
Expert Rating 4.2
25 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen 4.7" 6.7"
Display Retina HD display Super AMOLED
Resolution 1334 x 750 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 326 385
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 7 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB
OS Apple iOS Android 14
SIM Type Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 4G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight 148 grams 198 grams
Water Resistance IP67 - Dust and water resistant IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts £7.99/mo
£69.00 upfront
£11.95/mo
£145.00 upfront
SIM-free £64.98 £349.00
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone SE (2020) or Samsung Galaxy A56 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone SE (2020) is cheaper on contract at £275.96 over the life of the deal from £7.99 per month with £69.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone SE (2020) or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Samsung Galaxy A56 has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone SE (2020)'s 4.7", the Samsung Galaxy A56 has the sharper display at 385 pixels per inch versus 326, and the Apple iPhone SE (2020) uses a Retina HD display panel while the Samsung Galaxy A56 has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone SE (2020) or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone SE (2020) 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 SE (2020) or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone SE (2020) is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £64.98.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone SE (2020) and Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone SE (2020) is available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone SE (2020) and Samsung Galaxy A56 use?

The Apple iPhone SE (2020) is powered by the Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+), while the Samsung Galaxy A56 uses the Exynos 1580 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone SE (2020) or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone SE (2020) is the more portable of the two — it's 50g lighter at 148 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone SE (2020) or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Apple iPhone SE (2020) is rated IP67 - Dust and water resistant, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 is rated IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone SE (2020) and Samsung Galaxy A56 run?

The Apple iPhone SE (2020) 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.