Galaxy A40 vs iPhone XS Max
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy A40
Starting at
£71.42£229.00 new
iPhone XS Max
Starting at
£168.09£459.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy A40 and iPhone XS Max?
Galaxy A40 vs iPhone XS Max comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy A40 starts at £71.42, £96.67 less than the iPhone XS Max. The Galaxy A40 is the newer model, released in 2019.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Main camera
- Chipset: Exynos 7904 on the Galaxy A40, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS Max.
- The iPhone XS Max has a bigger battery: 3174 mAh vs 3100 mAh.
- The iPhone XS Max has a bigger screen: 6.5 inch vs 5.9 inch.
Galaxy A40 vs iPhone XS Max specs
The Galaxy A40 and iPhone XS Max differ in several key areas that suit different needs. The Galaxy A40 offers a lighter, slimmer design with a smaller 5.9 inch Super AMOLED screen and a higher resolution front camera, making it a good fit for those who prefer a compact phone with a sharp selfie camera. It suits users who want a bigger display and longer software support. Both phones have similar RAM and battery capacities and unlocked carriers, but the Galaxy A40 includes a microSD slot and dual physical SIMs, while the iPhone XS Max supports a physical SIM plus eSIM and uses a Lightning connector. Each device fits different preferences in size, camera use, and connectivity.
Galaxy A40 vs iPhone XS Max price
Colour
Galaxy A40 vs iPhone XS Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and operating system. These factors influence how long the phone lasts on a charge and how long it stays current with software features and security.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy A40 has a 3100 mAh battery, while the iPhone XS Max has a slightly larger 3174 mAh battery. This means both offer similar battery capacity for everyday use, suitable for typical daily activities without frequent recharging.
Operating System
The Galaxy A40 runs on Android, offering a wide range of customisation and app options common to that platform. The iPhone XS Max uses iOS, known for its smooth integration with other Apple devices and regular software updates.
Battery
Fast charging
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy A40 vs iPhone XS Max performance
Performance depends on the processor, RAM, and storage options. These affect how smoothly the phone runs apps and handles multitasking, as well as how much content you can store.
Processor and RAM
The Galaxy A40 is powered by the Exynos 7904 chipset with 4 GB of RAM, while the iPhone XS Max uses the Apple A12 Bionic chipset with the same 4 GB of RAM. Both devices offer enough memory to keep everyday apps running smoothly, but the different chipsets cater to their respective operating systems.
Storage Options
The Galaxy A40 comes with 64 GB of storage, which is suitable for general use including photos, apps, and music. The iPhone XS Max offers more flexibility with 64 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB options, which suits users who need more space for large files or extensive media libraries.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy A40 vs iPhone XS Max screen
Screen quality affects how you view photos, videos, and apps. Differences in size, resolution, and screen technology influence clarity, colour, and comfort.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy A40 has a 5.9 inch screen with a resolution of 1080 by 2340 pixels, making it comfortable for one-handed use and pocket-friendly. The iPhone XS Max features a larger 6.5 inch screen with a higher resolution of 1242 by 2688 pixels, providing more room for watching videos and multitasking.
Screen Technology
The Galaxy A40 uses a Super AMOLED screen, which tends to offer deep blacks and vivid colours. The iPhone XS Max has a Super Retina OLED screen, known for sharp detail and accurate colours. Both deliver quality visuals tailored to their screen sizes.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy A40 vs iPhone XS Max camera
Audiovisual features like cameras help capture photos and videos. Differences in megapixel counts highlight how much detail each camera can record.
Front Camera
The Galaxy A40 has a 25 megapixel front camera, which captures high detail selfies and video calls. The iPhone XS Max has a 7 megapixel front camera, suiting users who prefer standard quality for video chats and selfies.
Main Camera
The Galaxy A40 offers a 16 megapixel main camera, while the iPhone XS Max has a 12 megapixel main camera. Both capture good quality photos, with the Galaxy A40 providing higher pixel count for detailed shots.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy A40 vs iPhone XS Max size and design
Other features like carrier compatibility, connectors, size, and SIM card options affect how the phone fits into your daily life and accessories.
Carrier and SIM Options
Both phones are unlocked and support 4G networks. The Galaxy A40 includes dual physical SIM card slots, which suits users who want to use two separate phone numbers physically. The iPhone XS Max supports one physical SIM and an eSIM, offering flexibility for managing two lines digitally.
Connectors and Expansion
The Galaxy A40 features both USB-C and a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it compatible with a wide range of charging cables and wired headphones. The iPhone XS Max uses a Lightning connector, which is common for Apple accessories. Additionally, the Galaxy A40 supports microSDXC cards, allowing storage expansion, while the iPhone XS Max does not.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy A40 measures 144.4 mm in height, 69.2 mm in width, and 7.9 mm in depth, weighing 140 g. This makes it lighter and slimmer, which may suit users who prefer a compact phone. The iPhone XS Max is larger at 157.5 mm height, 77.4 mm width, and 7.7 mm depth, weighing 208 g, offering a bigger screen but a heavier feel.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy A40 or iPhone XS Max: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy A40 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £71.42, £96.67 less than the iPhone XS Max
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (16 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (25 megapixels vs 7 megapixels)
Buy the iPhone XS Max if
- you want a bigger battery (3174 mAh vs 3100 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 5.9 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who chose the Galaxy A40 appreciate its condition, often saying it looks like new or spotless even when described as fair. Many mention satisfaction with its size and fit, especially those seeking a smaller phone. The battery and performance receive positive notes, and the camera quality is well regarded. Some buyers highlight good service and express plans to purchase again.
Reviews for the iPhone XS Max often praise its excellent condition and value for price, with several customers noting the phone looks brand new and performs reliably. The screen and overall build are described as excellent, though a few mention battery life challenges or minor cosmetic marks that are easily covered by a case. Some customers note setup took longer than expected, and one reported an issue with Face ID. Overall, the phone is seen as a quality device with strong performance.
The Galaxy A40 suits those who want a lighter, smaller phone with a detailed front camera and expandable storage. The iPhone XS Max fits users who prefer a larger screen, multiple storage options, and ongoing software updates.
Galaxy A40 vs iPhone XS Max FAQs
Galaxy A40 vs iPhone XS Max comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Exynos 7904 on the Galaxy A40, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS Max. The iPhone XS Max has a bigger battery: 3174 mAh vs 3100 mAh.
The Galaxy A40 is cheaper refurbished, from £71.42 compared with £168.09 for the iPhone XS Max.
The iPhone XS Max has a bigger battery: 3174 mAh vs 3100 mAh.
The Galaxy A40 has a higher-resolution main camera: 16 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The Galaxy A40 no longer gets updates. Updates for the iPhone XS Max ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18.
Refurbished, the Galaxy A40 comes in 64GB, and the iPhone XS Max in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB.
