Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy A56
Starting at
£209.56£422.50 new
iPhone 17
Starting at
£713.34£799.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy A56 and iPhone 17?
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy A56 starts at £209.56, £503.78 less than the iPhone 17.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Main camera
- Chipset: Exynos 1580 on the Galaxy A56, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17.
- The Galaxy A56 has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3692 mAh.
- The Galaxy A56 has a bigger screen: 6.7 inch vs 6.3 inch.
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 specs
The Galaxy A56 and iPhone 17 both offer solid smartphones with key differences suited to different users. The Galaxy A56 has a larger 6.7 inch Super AMOLED screen with Full HD+ resolution and a bigger 5000 mAh battery, ideal if you want a roomier display and longer battery life. The iPhone 17 has a smaller 6.3 inch Super Retina XDR screen with a higher resolution and a slightly lighter, more compact design. Both have 8 GB of RAM but use different chipsets and offer different storage options, with the iPhone starting at 256GB and going up to 512GB. Camera setups vary, with the Galaxy A56 focusing on a higher megapixel main camera and the iPhone 17 offering a higher resolution front camera. Your choice depends on whether you prefer screen size and battery or resolution, camera front detail, and storage capacity.
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 price
Colour
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 battery life and software updates
Durability focuses on battery capacity, operating system, and general device longevity. These factors influence how long the device will last on a charge and the software experience you get.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy A56 has a 5000 mAh battery which is larger than the iPhone 17's 3692 mAh. This means the Galaxy A56 is likely to offer longer usage between charges, which suits users who need extended battery life throughout the day. The iPhone 17's smaller battery size may appeal to those who prioritise a lighter phone and shorter charging cycles.
Operating System
The iPhone 17 uses iOS, offering a different user experience focused on Apple's ecosystem. Your choice here depends on which operating system you prefer and which apps or services you use.
Battery
Fast charging
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 performance
Performance covers the chipset, RAM, and storage options, which affect speed, multitasking, and how much data or apps you can keep on your phone.
Chipset Differences
The Galaxy A56 uses the Exynos 1580 chipset, while the iPhone 17 features the Apple A19. Each chipset supports the phone's performance in different ways, with both devices offering 8 GB of RAM to keep everyday apps running smoothly. Your experience will depend on your preference for Android or iOS and the optimisation of apps on each platform.
Storage Options
The Galaxy A56 is available with 128GB or 256GB of storage, suitable for general users who want space for apps, photos, and media. The iPhone 17 offers higher storage tiers at 256GB and 512GB, which suits users who need more room for large files or extensive app libraries.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 screen
Screen quality looks at size, resolution, refresh rate, and display type, all of which affect how content appears and feels to use daily.
Screen Size and Type
The Galaxy A56 has a 6.7 inch Super AMOLED screen, giving you a larger display that is good for watching videos or browsing. The iPhone 17's 6.3 inch Super Retina XDR screen is smaller but uses Apple's display technology, known for sharp visuals and accurate colour. Your choice depends on whether you want a bigger screen or prefer a slightly more compact device.
Resolution and Refresh Rate
The iPhone 17 has a higher screen resolution of 2622 by 1206 pixels, which means finer detail and sharper images. The Galaxy A56 has a resolution of 1080 by 2340 pixels, still crisp but with fewer pixels overall. Both phones share a 120 Hz refresh rate, so motion and scrolling feel smooth on either device.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 camera
Audiovisual focuses on camera capabilities, which matter if you take selfies or photos regularly and want quality results.
Front Camera Resolution
The iPhone 17 has an 18 megapixel front camera, delivering higher resolution for selfies and video calls. The Galaxy A56 offers a 12 megapixel front camera, which also captures good detail but with fewer pixels. This difference suits those who prioritise front camera clarity and detail.
Main Camera Detail
The Galaxy A56 features a 50 megapixel main camera, which provides high detail for photos and is useful if you want sharp images. The iPhone 17 has a 48 megapixel main camera, slightly lower in megapixels but still capable of high-quality shots. Deciding between them depends on how much you value megapixel count in your main camera.
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 size and design
This section covers additional practical features like size, weight, connectivity, SIM options, and network compatibility.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy A56 is larger and heavier, measuring 162.2 mm tall, 77.5 mm wide, and 7.4 mm deep, weighing 198 g. The iPhone 17 is more compact at 149.6 mm tall, 71.5 mm wide, and 8 mm deep, weighing 177 g. The Galaxy A56 suits users who prefer a larger device, while the iPhone 17 is easier to hold and pocket.
SIM and Connectivity
The Galaxy A56 supports Dual Physical SIM plus eSIM, which is helpful for users who want to keep two physical numbers active simultaneously. The iPhone 17 supports Physical SIM plus eSIM. Both phones are unlocked and support 5G networks, offering flexible carrier choices and fast mobile data.
Connector Type
Both devices use USB Type-C connectors, standardising charging and data transfer with many modern devices and accessories.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy A56 or iPhone 17: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy A56 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £209.56, £503.78 less than the iPhone 17
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3692 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.7 inch vs 6.3 inch)
Buy the iPhone 17 if
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
- you want a lighter build (177 g vs 198 g)
What our customers say
Customers who chose the Galaxy A56 praise its condition and performance, often noting that it looks and feels like a new phone. Many highlight the excellent battery life and smooth operation, appreciating the larger screen and solid build. Users moving from other Samsung models or Android phones find the transition hassle-free. Some mention the phone being a great value compared to new options, with battery life often lasting a full day or more. A few note the interface takes some getting used to but works well overall.
Reviews for the iPhone 17 focus on the phone's like-new appearance and excellent battery health, with several customers impressed at getting a phone that feels almost brand new for a lower price. Users upgrading from older iPhones enjoy the smooth performance and high-quality screen. The iPhone 17 is praised for its condition and reliability, with some saying the phone meets their expectations perfectly. The process of switching to a refurbished model was straightforward for many, and the phone's compact size and display quality are appreciated.
Both devices attract buyers who want a reliable phone in excellent condition. The Galaxy A56 suits those who prefer a larger screen and longer battery life with Android 15. The iPhone 17 appeals to users who favour iOS, higher front camera resolution, and a more compact design with higher storage options.
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 FAQs
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Exynos 1580 on the Galaxy A56, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17. The Galaxy A56 has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3692 mAh.
The Galaxy A56 is cheaper refurbished, from £209.56 compared with £713.34 for the iPhone 17.
The Galaxy A56 has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3692 mAh.
The Galaxy A56 has a higher-resolution main camera: 50 megapixels vs 48 megapixels.
The Galaxy A56 gets updates until Mar 2031. The iPhone 17 is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Refurbished, the Galaxy A56 comes in 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone 17 in 256GB and 512GB.
