Google’s Pixel A-series and Samsung’s Galaxy A5-series are long-standing rivals within the mid-range smartphone area. Each manufacturers purpose to ship flagship-like options at a fraction of the value, and 2025 isn’t any totally different. This 12 months, now we have the Google Pixel 9a and the Samsung Galaxy A56 – two telephones that promise nice worth however take totally different routes to get there.
The Pixel 9a focuses on providing a Pixel 9-like expertise at a less expensive value level, with Google’s signature AI options and glorious cameras. The Galaxy A56, in the meantime, sticks to Samsung’s method: premium design, strong {hardware}, and a splash of Galaxy AI (even when it’s not the total providing).
Each handsets begin at £499, so if you happen to’re questioning which cellphone is finest for you, right here’s our head-to-head comparability. Whereas I’ve used the Galaxy A56 first-hand, every thing concerning the Pixel 9a is predicated on spec sheets and a briefing with Google. We’ll be reviewing the smartphone shortly.
Design & Show
Each the Pixel 9a and Galaxy A56 observe acquainted design cues from their fully-fledged siblings, however every takes a barely totally different strategy to fulfill the mid-range temporary.
The Pixel 9a has had a notable redesign in comparison with final 12 months’s Pixel 8a. It swaps out Google’s signature digicam bar for a extra understated oval-shaped rear module. It’s a cleaner look, matched with a matt composite again and a flat aluminium body that offers it a light-weight but premium really feel. It’s obtainable in 4 colors: Obsidian, Porcelain, Peony and the all-new Iris. At 6.3 inches, the cellphone strikes a fantastic stability between portability and display measurement.
In the meantime, Samsung retains issues acquainted with the Galaxy A56, although there are delicate refinements. It makes use of Gorilla Glass Victus+ on each the back and front, paired with a flat aluminium body. The rear cameras now sit in a unified housing, and there’s a brand new ‘key island’ for the facility and quantity buttons. It’s just a little bigger and heavier, with a 6.7-inch display, however impressively slim at simply 7.4mm thick. You’ll be able to choose it up in Graphite, Pink, Olive or Mild Gray.
On show high quality, each telephones are sturdy contenders. The Pixel 9a sports activities a vivid 6.3-inch Actua OLED show with a Full HD+ decision and a 120Hz refresh charge. It reaches a formidable peak brightness of 2700 nits, promising glorious outside visibility. Samsung’s Galaxy A56 matches the refresh charge with a 6.7-inch Tremendous AMOLED panel, peaking at a barely decrease 1900 nits.
Colors on each are vibrant, and viewing angles needs to be glorious if the common Pixel 9’s show is something to go by. Although, the Pixel’s larger brightness offers it the sting, particularly because it additionally guarantees higher color replica.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery life is commonly the place mid-range telephones differentiate themselves, and the Pixel 9a and Galaxy A56 take totally different approaches right here.
The Pixel 9a packs a 5100mAh battery, which is bigger than even the usual Pixel 9. Google claims over 30 hours of regular use. And with Extreme Battery Saver mode, you could theoretically stretch it to 100 hours. In real-world use, it should comfortably last a full day and even stretch into a second. Charging speeds aren’t groundbreaking, with 18W wired and standard Qi wireless charging on offer, but the longevity of the battery life makes up for it.
The Galaxy A56 has a slightly smaller 5000mAh battery, but it’s no slouch. You can expect all-day battery life here too, with Samsung’s power-efficient Exynos 1580 chipset playing its part. Where it shines is in charging speeds. Wired charging tops out at 45W, double the speed of the Pixel 9a. There’s no wireless charging on offer, though, which is a miss at this price point.
Both phones deliver reliable battery life, but if you’re after faster top-ups, the Galaxy A56 has the advantage.
Software Updates
Software longevity is one area where both phones impress, offering some of the best update policies in the mid-range space.
The Pixel 9a runs Android 15 out of the box and comes with Google’s promise of seven years of major Android version upgrades, Pixel Feature Drops, and security updates. That’s as good as it gets for Android right now, matching the commitment offered by Google’s flagship phones.
Samsung isn’t far behind. The Galaxy A56 ships with Android 14 and One UI 7, and it will get six years of software support – covering both Android version updates and security patches. Samsung’s One UI is one of the slickest Android skins around, offering a wide range of features and customisation options. However, the A56 skips many of the Galaxy AI tools found on Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S25 series.
If you want the longest software support, the Pixel 9a edges ahead. But both phones are excellent picks if you’re planning to hold onto your device for the long term.
Cameras
Camera performance is another deciding factor. The Pixel 9a’s 48Mp main sensor, combined with Google’s image processing, promises to deliver excellent photos in most conditions.
Expect Night Sight to work wonders in low light, and Magic Editor tools we’ve tested on other Pixels make it easy to clean up photos after the fact. You also get a 13Mp ultrawide camera and a 13Mp selfie camera, both capable of 4K video recording.
Samsung’s Galaxy A56 has a 50Mp main camera, 12Mp ultrawide, and 5Mp macro lens. The main sensor captures decent shots in daylight but struggles a bit more in low light, which we expect the Pixel to excel in based on our time testing last year’s 8a. The 12Mp front camera does a decent job for selfies and video calls, but it doesn’t offer 4K recording on the front-facing lens.
Other Differences
You can expect solid performance on both devices, but there are key differences worth noting.
The Pixel 9a is powered by Google’s Tensor G4 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM. It’s not the fastest chip around, but it’s tuned for AI tasks and integrates tightly with Android, ensuring smooth day-to-day use. We’ve used it on the regular Pixel 9 and were impressed. You also get access to Google’s full suite of Gemini AI features, including Circle to Search, Gemini Live, and Pixel Studio.
The Galaxy A56 uses Samsung’s Exynos 1580 chip, also paired with 8GB of RAM. It delivers respectable performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming, though it’s a step behind in GPU-intensive workloads. AI features are limited compared to the Pixel, and Samsung reserves its best tools for the Galaxy S line.
The Pixel 9a is also IP68-rated, offering better water and dust resistance than the Galaxy A56’s IP67. Neither phone has a microSD card slot, though both come with 128GB or 256GB storage options.
Price & Availability
The Pixel 9a is available to pre-order now, starting at £499 in the UK, $499 in the US, and €559 in Europe. It’s available directly from Google and major retailers, with four colours on offer: Obsidian, Porcelain, Peony, and Iris. It ships with either 128GB or 256GB of storage.
It officially releases at the beginning of April.
The Galaxy A56 is also widely available now, priced at £499/$499 for the 256GB version. It comes in Graphite, Pink, Olive, and Light Grey. You can pick one up from Samsung’s website and major retailers like Amazon and Currys.
With near-identical pricing, the choice largely comes down to which ecosystem you prefer and which features matter more.
Verdict
The Pixel 9a and Galaxy A56 both deliver impressive value in the mid-range market, but they appeal to different users.
The Pixel 9a promises a better camera experience, longer software support, and a brighter display in a more compact form factor. It’s a great choice if you prioritise photography, AI features, and timely software updates.
The Galaxy A56 offers a larger screen, faster wired charging, and a design that closely mirrors Samsung’s premium Galaxy S series. It’s ideal for users who prefer Samsung’s One UI and want a bigger phone without splashing out on a flagship.
For most people, the Pixel 9a’s combination of camera prowess and software longevity makes it the better buy. But if you want a bigger screen and faster charging, the A56 is still a solid choice.