Samsung Galaxy A12 vs Samsung Galaxy A56

Our verdict: Both screen size and sharpness go to the Samsung Galaxy A56, with a 6.7" display at 385 PPI. Snap-happy users may prefer the Samsung Galaxy A56 and its 50MP rear camera. Front-camera quality goes to the Samsung Galaxy A56 at 12MP. Portability goes to the Samsung Galaxy A56 at 198g.

Screen
6.5" 6.7"
Display
Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen Super AMOLED
Resolution
720 x 1600 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
270 385
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
8 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Storage
32GB, 64GB, 128GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
Android 10 Android 14
SIM Type
Standard SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 4G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 b/g/n 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
149.9 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight
205 grams 198 grams
Water Resistance
Not rated IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts
£16.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£79.95 £319.99
Samsung Galaxy A12 Samsung Galaxy A12 Samsung Galaxy A56 Samsung Galaxy A56
Screen 6.5" 6.7"
Display Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen Super AMOLED
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 270 385
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 8 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
Storage 32GB, 64GB, 128GB 128GB, 256GB
OS Android 10 Android 14
SIM Type Standard SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 4G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions 149.9 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight 205 grams 198 grams
Water Resistance Not rated IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts £16.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £79.95 £319.99
Deals Deals

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy A12 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Samsung Galaxy A56 has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Samsung Galaxy A12's 6.5", the Samsung Galaxy A56 has the sharper display at 385 pixels per inch versus 270, and the Samsung Galaxy A12 uses a Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen panel while the Samsung Galaxy A56 has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy A12 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Samsung Galaxy A12 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 Samsung Galaxy A12 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Samsung Galaxy A12 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £79.95.

What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy A12 and Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Samsung Galaxy A12 is available in 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Samsung Galaxy A12 and Samsung Galaxy A56 use?

The Samsung Galaxy A12 is powered by the Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 uses the Exynos 1580 (4 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy A12 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

It's a trade-off: the Samsung Galaxy A56 is lighter but the Samsung Galaxy A12 is more compact. It's 7g lighter at 198 grams, though the Samsung Galaxy A12 is actually the more compact phone at 149.9 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy A12 or Samsung Galaxy A56?

The Samsung Galaxy A12 is rated Not rated, while the Samsung Galaxy A56 is rated IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy A12 and Samsung Galaxy A56 run?

The Samsung Galaxy A12 runs Android 10 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.