Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
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Galaxy A56
Starting at
£209.56£422.50 new
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Starting at
£1,209.00What's the difference between the Galaxy A56 and iPhone 17 Pro Max?
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy A56 starts at £209.56, £999.44 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Exynos 1580 on the Galaxy A56, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- Battery: 5000 mAh on the Galaxy A56, 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max specs
The Galaxy A56 and the iPhone 17 Pro Max are both 2025 releases that serve different user needs. The Galaxy A56 offers a large 6.7 inch Super AMOLED screen with 8 GB of RAM and a 5000 mAh battery, making it suitable for everyday use with smooth performance and long battery life. The iPhone 17 Pro Max provides a slightly larger 6.9 inch Super Retina XDR display, a more powerful chipset, 12 GB RAM, and a wider range of storage options from 256GB up to 2TB, appealing to users who want top-tier performance and more space. Camera choices differ, with the Galaxy A56 favouring a higher resolution main camera and the iPhone a higher resolution front camera. Both phones support 5G and unlocked use, but the Galaxy A56 supports dual physical SIMs while the iPhone supports one physical SIM only.
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max price
Colour
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Battery capacity and operating systems shape daily reliability and user experience on these phones. Both offer solid options but with some notable differences to consider.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy A56 has a 5000 mAh battery, which supports long use between charges and suits users who prioritise extended battery life. The iPhone 17 Pro Max lists two battery capacities, 4823 mAh and 5088 mAh, reflecting possible variations in models or measurements. This means the iPhone can also provide strong battery performance but with slightly more variation. Both are designed to last through typical daily use.
Operating System
The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses iOS, giving access to Apple's ecosystem and updates. Your preference for Android or iOS will shape your experience with apps, interface, and system features.
Battery
Fast charging
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max performance
Performance depends on chipset, RAM, and storage options, which influence speed, multitasking, and how much data you can keep on the device.
Chipset and RAM
The Galaxy A56 is powered by the Exynos 1580 chipset and 8 GB of RAM. This combination supports everyday apps and multitasking smoothly, suitable for users with typical usage patterns. The iPhone 17 Pro Max features the Apple A19 Pro chipset and 12 GB RAM, offering more power and memory. This suits users who run demanding apps, games, or keep many apps open simultaneously.
Storage Options
The Galaxy A56 is available with 128GB or 256GB of storage, enough for photos, apps, and media for most users. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers a wider range of storage from 256GB up to 2TB, accommodating those who need large capacity for high-resolution video, games, or extensive app libraries.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max screen
Screen features affect how you see content, with differences in size, resolution, and display technology influencing clarity and viewing space.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy A56 has a 6.7 inch screen with a resolution of 1080 by 2340 pixels, providing sharp images and a comfortable size for video and browsing. The iPhone 17 Pro Max's screen is slightly larger at 6.9 inches and has a higher resolution of 2868 by 1320 pixels. This means the iPhone screen offers more room and finer detail, ideal for watching videos or working on detailed tasks.
Screen Type and Refresh Rate
Both phones feature a 120 Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations smooth. The Galaxy A56 uses a Super AMOLED display, known for vibrant colours and deep blacks, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a Super Retina XDR screen, which emphasises brightness and contrast. Your choice depends on whether you prefer a vivid or high-contrast viewing experience.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max camera
Camera and front camera specifications reveal which phone suits photography and video calling preferences.
Front Camera Resolution
The Galaxy A56 has a 12 megapixel front camera, good for clear selfies and video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers an 18 megapixel front camera, capturing more detail for selfies or video chats, which benefits users who value front-facing camera quality.
Main Camera Resolution
On the main camera, the Galaxy A56 features a 50 megapixel sensor, which captures images with high resolution and detail. The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses a 48 megapixel main camera, slightly lower in megapixels but still capable of detailed photos. Users focused on high-resolution main shots may prefer the Galaxy A56, while others might consider other factors like software processing.
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max size and design
Other specifications affect how the phone fits your daily life, including size, weight, SIM options, and charging connectors.
Physical Dimensions and Weight
The Galaxy A56 measures 162.2 mm in height, 77.5 mm in width, and 7.4 mm in depth, weighing 198 g. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is slightly larger and thicker at 163.4 mm height, 78 mm width, and 8.8 mm depth, and heavier at 233 g. Those preferring a lighter, slimmer phone may lean towards the Galaxy A56, while the iPhone offers a larger presence.
SIM Card Compatibility
The Galaxy A56 supports Dual Physical SIM plus eSIM, which is useful for users managing two phone numbers or travel. The iPhone 17 Pro Max supports one Physical SIM plus eSIM, suitable for users with a single physical SIM need.
Connector Type
Both phones use USB Type-C connectors, which is a common standard for charging and data transfer, simplifying cable and accessory choices.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy A56 or iPhone 17 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy A56 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £209.56, £999.44 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (50 megapixels vs 48 megapixels)
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch)
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers who chose the Galaxy A56 often praise its condition, describing the phone as looking like new and working well. Many appreciate the long battery life and smooth performance for everyday use. Users switching from other brands find the transition hassle-free, and the phone's speed and reliability meet their expectations. The larger battery and good screen quality receive particular mention, with several noting the value of the phone for its price and how well it performs day to day.
Feedback on the iPhone 17 Pro Max highlights satisfaction with the phone's condition and quality, with many users noting it works as expected and enjoys excellent battery health. Customers moving from previous iPhones find setup and app transfer easy. The device's screen and camera receive positive comments, though some mention occasional call issues that may be network related. The iPhone's higher storage options and powerful chipset suit users needing more from their phone.
Both phones attract customers looking for reliable refurbished options in good condition. The Galaxy A56 tends to suit those wanting a lighter, slightly smaller phone with strong battery life and Android flexibility. The iPhone 17 Pro Max appeals to users wanting a larger screen, more memory, and iOS features with extensive storage capacities.
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max FAQs
Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Exynos 1580 on the Galaxy A56, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The Galaxy A56 is cheaper refurbished, from £209.56 compared with £1209 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The Galaxy A56 has 5000 mAh and the iPhone 17 Pro Max has 4823 mAh, 5088 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 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Refurbished, the Galaxy A56 comes in 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
