Galaxy A50 vs iPhone XS Max
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy A50
Starting at
£92.35£349.00 new
iPhone XS Max
Starting at
£168.09£459.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy A50 and iPhone XS Max?
Galaxy A50 vs iPhone XS Max comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy A50 starts at £92.35, £75.74 less than the iPhone XS Max. The Galaxy A50 is the newer model, released in 2019.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Main camera
- Chipset: Exynos 9610 (10 nm) on the Galaxy A50, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS Max.
- The Galaxy A50 has a bigger battery: 4000 mAh vs 3174 mAh.
- Screen size: 6.4 inch on the Galaxy A50, 6.5 inch on the iPhone XS Max.
Galaxy A50 vs iPhone XS Max specs
The Galaxy A50 and iPhone XS Max each offer features suited to different preferences. The Galaxy A50 has a larger battery and higher megapixel front and main cameras, making it well suited for those who prioritise battery life and detailed selfies or photos. It uses Android and has expandable storage via microSDXC, which is useful if you need more space. It also supports eSIM alongside a physical SIM, suiting users who want flexible mobile setups. Both are unlocked and share similar RAM and network support, so the choice depends on which features matter most to you.
Galaxy A50 vs iPhone XS Max price
Colour
Galaxy A50 vs iPhone XS Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software updates, and operating systems. Differences here affect how long you might use the phone each day and how current the software remains.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy A50 has a 4000 mAh battery, which typically offers longer use between charges. This suits users who expect their phone to last all day without needing to recharge. The iPhone XS Max has a 3174 mAh battery, which may require more frequent charging depending on your usage.
Software Updates
This is ideal for users who want the most up-to-date software experience.
Operating System
The Galaxy A50 runs on Android and the iPhone XS Max uses iOS. Your preference between these operating systems will influence your experience with apps, interface, and ecosystem integration.
Battery
Fast charging
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy A50 vs iPhone XS Max performance
Performance depends on the chipset, RAM, and storage options. These factors influence how smoothly the phone runs apps and how much data you can keep on the device.
Chipset
The Galaxy A50 features the Exynos 9610 (10 nm) chipset, which suits everyday use and typical smartphone tasks. The iPhone XS Max has the Apple A12 Bionic, known for strong performance that handles demanding apps and multitasking well. Both phones have 4 GB of RAM, which supports keeping multiple apps open.
Storage Capacity
The Galaxy A50 comes with 64GB or 128GB storage options, suitable for users with moderate storage needs. The iPhone XS Max offers larger options of 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB, catering to those who store more photos, videos, or apps.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy A50 vs iPhone XS Max screen
Screen quality affects your viewing experience for videos, photos, and everyday use. Differences include size, resolution, and display technology.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy A50 has a 6.4 inch screen at 1080 x 2340 resolution, providing sharp and clear visuals in a slightly smaller size. The iPhone XS Max has a 6.5 inch screen with a higher resolution of 1242 x 2688, which offers more detail and a bit more room for content. This suits users who want a very spacious display.
Screen Type
The Galaxy A50 uses a Super AMOLED screen, which delivers vibrant colours and deep blacks, ideal for vivid visuals. The iPhone XS Max has a Super Retina OLED display, known for accurate colours and brightness. Both provide quality screens for media and daily use.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy A50 vs iPhone XS Max camera
Audiovisual features include cameras and front-facing camera resolution, important for photography and video calls.
Front Camera Megapixels
The Galaxy A50 has a 25 megapixel front camera, which suits users who often take selfies or make video calls with high detail. The iPhone XS Max features a 7 megapixel front camera, offering clear images but at a lower megapixel count.
Main Camera Megapixels
The Galaxy A50 comes with a 25 megapixel main camera, useful for capturing detailed photos. The iPhone XS Max has a 12 megapixel main camera, which balances detail with typical iPhone image processing.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy A50 vs iPhone XS Max size and design
Miscellaneous differences cover connectivity, size, and expandability, all of which may affect daily convenience and compatibility.
Storage Expansion
The Galaxy A50 supports microSDXC cards, allowing you to add extra storage if needed. This is handy if you want flexibility to increase space. The iPhone XS Max does not have a microSD slot, so you rely on the internal storage you choose.
SIM Options
The Galaxy A50 uses a physical SIM card. The iPhone XS Max supports both a physical SIM and an eSIM, which can suit users who want to use two numbers or switch carriers more easily.
Connectors
The Galaxy A50 has a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack, giving you options for wired audio and charging. The iPhone XS Max uses Apple's Lightning connector, which fits Apple accessories and certain chargers.
Size and Weight
Both phones share the same depth of 7.7 mm. The Galaxy A50 measures 158.5 mm in height and 74.7 mm in width, weighing 166 g, making it lighter and slightly narrower. The iPhone XS Max is 157.5 mm tall, 77.4 mm wide and weighs 208 g, offering a larger footprint and more weight that some may find more substantial.
Carrier and Network
Both phones are unlocked and support 4G networks, so you have freedom to choose your carrier and reliable mobile connectivity.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy A50 or iPhone XS Max: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy A50 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £92.35, £75.74 less than the iPhone XS Max
- you want a bigger battery (4000 mAh vs 3174 mAh)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (25 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers appreciate the Galaxy A50 for its solid battery life and sufficient storage, with many noting it feels like a proper phone and works well for everyday use. The camera quality receives positive mentions, especially the higher megapixel counts that capture more detail. Some users mention minor scuff marks visible only on close inspection, and a few have noted the battery does not always last a full day. Overall, the Galaxy A50 is praised for its value and dependable performance.
The iPhone XS Max is noted for its excellent screen and condition, with many customers saying it looks like new. Battery life is generally seen as good, though some mention it can be shorter than expected. The phone's high storage options are valued by users who keep many files. A few users have experienced issues like low call volume or Face ID problems, but replacements and repairs were effective. The iPhone XS Max appeals to those who want a quality device with a premium screen and iOS updates.
Both phones suit buyers looking for unlocked devices with 4G support and 4GB of RAM. The Galaxy A50 fits users prioritising battery life, expandable storage, and camera resolution. The iPhone XS Max suits those wanting a higher resolution screen, latest iOS updates, and larger internal storage options.
Galaxy A50 vs iPhone XS Max FAQs
Galaxy A50 vs iPhone XS Max comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Exynos 9610 (10 nm) on the Galaxy A50, Apple A12 Bionic on the iPhone XS Max. The Galaxy A50 has a bigger battery: 4000 mAh vs 3174 mAh.
The Galaxy A50 is cheaper refurbished, from £92.35 compared with £168.09 for the iPhone XS Max.
The Galaxy A50 has a bigger battery: 4000 mAh vs 3174 mAh.
The Galaxy A50 has a higher-resolution main camera: 25 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy A50 ended in Apr 2023. Updates for the iPhone XS Max ended in Apr 2026. Its last version is iOS 18.
Refurbished, the Galaxy A50 comes in 64GB and 128GB, and the iPhone XS Max in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB.
