Samsung Galaxy A56 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26
Compare Samsung Galaxy A56 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26 side by side: Exynos 1580 (4 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600, 50MP vs 50MP…
Samsung
Galaxy A56 5G
$499
5categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26
$790
8categories won
8 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G claims the overall win over the Samsung Galaxy S26, delivering a stronger technical package across battery endurance and core hardware. In camera testing, the Galaxy S26 leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy A56 5G. Choose the Galaxy A56 5G if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S26 if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
Galaxy A56 5G wins on endurance with 5,000 mAh and 45W fast charging.
Galaxy A56 5G leads gaming and raw performance powered by the Exynos 1580 (4 nm) and 12GB RAM.
Galaxy S26 takes photography with 50MP optics and 3x optical telephoto capabilities.
Galaxy A56 5G provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $499 vs $790.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
Galaxy A56 5G vs Galaxy S26: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy A56 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.6" | 6.3" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 390 ppi | 409 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1800 nits | 2600 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy A56 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 1580 (4 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 2 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 3,200,000Winner | 3,064,672 |
| Geekbench multi | 10800 | 10824 |
| Maximum RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Maximum storage | 256GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy A56 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Optical zoom | — | 3x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy A56 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,000 mAhWinner | 4,300 mAh |
| Wired charging | 45 WWinner | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 WWinner | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy A56 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 212 g | 167 gWinner |
| Thickness | 8.2 mm | 7.2 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ front and back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy A56 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 15 (One UI 7.0) | Android 16 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy A56 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| Storage expansion | microSD | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $499Winner | $790 |
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G elevates the world’s most popular mid-range smartphone line with an AMD RDNA 3-powered Exynos 1580 chip, 45W super-fast charging, metal borders, and 6 full years of OS updates.
- Display
- 6.6"
- Chipset
- Exynos 1580 (4 nm)
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
Samsung Galaxy S26
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a premium compact smartphone suited for buyers who want top-tier performance without the bulk. Priced at $789.99, it pairs a powerful 2nm processor and exceptional seven-year update support with a bright 6.3-inch LTPO display, though its 25W charging speeds lag behind the competition.
- Display
- 6.3"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,300mAh