Samsung Galaxy A56 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
The A56 is the cheaper one to own: around £469 over a typical contract, £1086 less than the Z Fold8 Ultra.
Prices updated 13 August 2026
Samsung Galaxy A56
|
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.7" | 8" |
| Display | Super AMOLED | LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1968 x 2184 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 385 | 367 |
| Rear Camera | 50 Megapixels | 200 Megapixels |
| Front Camera | 12 Megapixels | 50 Megapixels |
| Chipset | Exynos 1580 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| OS | Android 14 | Android |
| 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/6/7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 with A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm | 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm |
| Weight | 198 grams | 215 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Contracts |
£11.00/mo
£189.00 upfront |
£44.99/mo
£449.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £229.99 | £1846.99 |
| Prices updated 13 August 2026 | ||
| Deals | Deals | |
Cheapest Deals
Samsung Galaxy A56
£11 per month, £189 upfront.
Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
£44.99 per month, £449 upfront.
Use code: SUMMER10 (£10 off)
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Samsung Galaxy A56 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra cheaper on contract?
Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A56 is cheaper on contract at £469.00 over the life of the deal from £11.00 per month with £189.00 upfront.
Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy A56 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has the bigger screen at 8" compared to the Samsung Galaxy A56's 6.7", the Samsung Galaxy A56 has the sharper display at 385 pixels per inch versus 367, and the Samsung Galaxy A56 uses a Super AMOLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has a LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2.
Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy A56 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy A56 features a 50 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has a 200 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 A56 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £229.99.
What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy A56 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is available in 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.
What processors do the Samsung Galaxy A56 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra use?
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is powered by the Exynos 1580 (4 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra uses the Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).
Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy A56 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is the more portable of the two: it's 17g lighter at 198 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is slimmer at 4.9mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy A56 or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy A56 is rated IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min), while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is rated IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).
What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy A56 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra run?
The Samsung Galaxy A56 runs Android 14 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra runs Android. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.