Samsung Galaxy A56 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

Our Verdict: Samsung Galaxy A56 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra suit different priorities. The Z Fold8 is stronger for display quality, helped by a larger 8-inch screen, its LTPO AMOLED 2X panel, and a higher-resolution 200MP rear camera, while the A56 is better suited to its Super AMOLED panel and a lighter 198g body. Choose the Z Fold8 for display quality; choose the A56 if portability matters more.

The A56 is the cheaper one to own: around £539 over a typical contract, £982 less than the Z Fold8 Ultra.

Expert Rating
3.8
10 reviews
4.2
6 reviews
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
£20.00/mo (£9.00 upfront) £25.00/mo (£905.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£229.99 £1846.99
Samsung Galaxy A56 Samsung Galaxy A56 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Expert Rating 3.8
10 reviews
4.2
6 reviews
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 £20.00/mo
£9.00 upfront
£25.00/mo
£905.00 upfront
SIM-free £229.99 £1846.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Samsung Galaxy A56
Samsung Galaxy A56

24 Months

128GB

Awesome Pink

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£20 per month, £9 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

Violet Shadow

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£25 per month, £905 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)

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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 £539.00 over the life of the deal from £20.00 per month with £9.00 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.