Google Pixel 9 vs Samsung Galaxy A56

Our Verdict: The SIM-free listings put Google Pixel 9 ahead of Samsung Galaxy A56 on cost. Google Pixel 9 is shown at £309.00, while Samsung Galaxy A56 starts from £349.00. Screen quality leans toward Google Pixel 9 for sharpness, with 421 PPI compared with Samsung Galaxy A56's 385 PPI. Camera and storage differences are modest from the listed specs, so they should not outweigh price, screen preference, or operating system for most buyers. Samsung Galaxy A56 lists the larger battery capacity, 5,000 mAh against Google Pixel 9's 4,700 mAh. The better buy is priority-led: Google Pixel 9 has its own hardware strengths, while Samsung Galaxy A56 may be the more sensible fit for cost, size, or ecosystem reasons.

The A56 is the cheaper one to own: around £420 over a typical contract, £276 less than the Pixel 9.

Expert Rating
4.2
13 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen
6.3" 6.7"
Display
OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution
1080 x 2424 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
421 385
Rear Camera
50 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
10.5 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Google Tensor G4 (4nm) Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Battery
4,700 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Android 14 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
152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight
198 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
£54.83/mo (£30.00 upfront) £16.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£332.00 £229.99

Prices updated 13 July 2026

Google Pixel 9 Google Pixel 9 Samsung Galaxy A56 Samsung Galaxy A56
Expert Rating 4.2
13 reviews
3.8
10 reviews
Screen 6.3" 6.7"
Display OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution 1080 x 2424 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 421 385
Rear Camera 50 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 10.5 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Google Tensor G4 (4nm) Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Battery 4,700 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB
OS Android 14 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 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight 198 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 £54.83/mo
£30.00 upfront
£16.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £332.00 £229.99
Prices updated 13 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Google Pixel 9
Google Pixel 9

12 Months

128GB

Wintergreen

Refurbished

5GB

Data

£54.83 per month, £30 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 Google Pixel 9 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 Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Samsung Galaxy A56 has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Google Pixel 9's 6.3", the Google Pixel 9 has the sharper display at 421 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Google Pixel 9 uses a OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy A56 has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Google Pixel 9 features a 50 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 Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

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

What storage options are available for the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Google Pixel 9 is available in 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy A56 use?

The Google Pixel 9 is powered by the Google Tensor G4 (4nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A56 uses the Exynos 1580 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Google Pixel 9 is the more portable of the two: they weigh about the same (198 grams vs 198 grams), it's also the more compact phone at 152.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Google Pixel 9 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Google Pixel 9 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 Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy A56 run?

Both phones run Android 14.