Pixel 8a vs Galaxy A56
Brand preference aside, the Pixel 8a and the Galaxy A56 are close competitors, both pitched at midrange smartphone buyers. The scorecard favors the Galaxy A56, which leads in 1 of 6 areas. Its strongest showing is in the battery & charging category.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Trade-off
- Battery & Charging Galaxy A56 wins
- Software & Updates Pixel 8a wins
- Price Pixel 8a wins
- Display8.6
- Camera7.5
- Battery & Charging0.9
- Display8.5
- Camera6.9
- Battery & Charging8.5
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Galaxy A56 has faster 45 W wired charging
Put simply, the Galaxy A56 is far ahead here: 45 W compared with 18 W. The Galaxy A56 refills faster on a cable, which matters most on the mornings you forgot to charge overnight.
-
The Pixel 8a has 1 year of extra promised updates
The Pixel 8a has a modest edge on promised os updates: 7 years against 6 years for the Galaxy A56. Software support is what separates a phone that ages gracefully from one that doesn’t, making it one of the most practical lines on the spec sheet.
-
The Galaxy A56 has 11% more battery capacity
It’s a small lead (5,000 mAh versus 4,492 mAh), but it’s real, and it goes to the Galaxy A56. Extra capacity also ages better: after a few years of charge cycles, the Galaxy A56 has more headroom left.
-
The Galaxy A56 has an extra rear camera
The Galaxy A56’s 3 leaves the Pixel 8a’s 2 well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Galaxy A56 gives you more lenses to choose from.
-
The Galaxy A56 has a 0.06 in slimmer body
Not a close call. The Galaxy A56 lists 0.29 in and the Pixel 8a lists 0.35 in. That’s a substantial gap. It’s a difference you mostly notice in the hand and in tight pockets.
Design & Size
- Pixel 8a 5.99 in × 2.86 in × 0.35 in
- Galaxy A56 6.39 in × 3.05 in × 0.29 in
Side by side, the Galaxy A56 is the one that fills more space; the Pixel 8a keeps things tighter. The Pixel 8a is 0.35 oz lighter, making the Galaxy A56 the heftier of the two. The Galaxy A56 is 0.06 in thinner than the Pixel 8a.
Design & Build
| Spec | Pixel 8a | Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.99 in | 6.39 in |
| Width | 2.86 in | 3.05 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.29 in (winner) |
| Weight | 6.63 oz (winner) | 6.98 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Display
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on display; the numbers are close throughout. The display verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Screen size
Pixel 8a: 6.1 in Galaxy A56: 6.7 in Screen size is personal. If you watch a lot on your phone, the extra area pays off; if you text one-handed on the go, compact is kinder.
Performance
Too close to call
On performance, the Pixel 8a and the Galaxy A56 are effectively level. Either phone will serve you equally well on performance.
CPU cores
Pixel 8a: 9 Galaxy A56: 8 Core count on its own says little about speed; how the chip is designed and how fast each core runs matter more.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
Call the memory & storage round a draw. On memory & storage alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Camera
Trade-off
The camera section doesn’t produce a winner so much as a choice: a higher-resolution 64 MP main camera (Pixel 8a) or an extra rear camera (Galaxy A56). On camera, the better choice comes down to your own priorities.
Rear cameras
Pixel 8a: 2 Galaxy A56: 3 An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
Main camera
Pixel 8a: 64 MP Galaxy A56: 50 MP Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos.
Battery & Charging
Galaxy A56 leads
The battery & charging comparison is one-sided. The Galaxy A56 leads where it counts. The Galaxy A56 wins here with faster 45 W wired charging. Peak charging speeds depend on a compatible charger, which may not come in the box. If battery & charging is your priority, the Galaxy A56 is the phone to pick.
Wired charging
Pixel 8a: 18 W Galaxy A56: 45 W Faster wired charging means a short top-up before you head out goes further.
Battery capacity
Pixel 8a: 4,492 mAh Galaxy A56: 5,000 mAh Capacity isn’t everything, but when two phones are otherwise close, more milliamp-hours is the simplest endurance advantage there is.
Software & Updates
Pixel 8a leads
Slight edge to the Pixel 8a on software & updates. Most buyers could live happily with either. The Pixel 8a adds 1 year of extra promised updates. The Pixel 8a’s longer software support can also help its resale value later on. Anyone shopping mainly on software & updates should start with the Pixel 8a.
Promised OS updates
Pixel 8a: 7 years Galaxy A56: 6 years A longer update promise keeps the phone secure and current for longer, which matters if you keep devices for several years.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Pixel 8a | Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.7 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Actua) | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 430 ppi | N/A (not specified) |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 1,900 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Pixel 8a | Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 | Exynos 1580 |
| CPU cores | 9 | 8 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |
| RAM | 8 GB | N/A (not specified) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Pixel 8a | Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 256 GB | N/A (not specified) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Pixel 8a | Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 64 MP (winner) | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 13 MP | 12 MP |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 13 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 | N/A (not specified) |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Pixel 8a | Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4,492 mAh | 5,000 mAh (winner) |
| Wired charging | 18 W | 45 W (winner) |
| Wireless charging | 8 W | N/A (not specified) |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Pixel 8a | Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 14 | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 7 years (winner) | 6 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | Pixel 8a | Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.99 in | 6.39 in |
| Width | 2.86 in | 3.05 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.29 in (winner) |
| Weight | 6.63 oz (winner) | 6.98 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP67 | IP67 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | Pixel 8a | Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $499 | $500 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
In launch price, the two are close: the Pixel 8a came in $1 lower. What does the Galaxy A56’s extra $1 actually get you? Mainly faster 45 W wired charging and 11% more battery capacity.
Based on US launch pricing as of March 2025. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Pixel 8a if…
- you want software support that lasts longer (7 years vs 6 years)
- you want the lighter phone (6.63 oz vs 6.98 oz)
- you like to crop into your photos (64 MP vs 50 MP main camera)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $1 matters
Choose the Galaxy A56 if…
- you often need a quick top-up before heading out (45 W vs 18 W wired)
- you want the bigger battery (5,000 mAh vs 4,492 mAh)
- you want more lenses to choose from (3 vs 2 rear cameras)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.29 in vs 0.35 in)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Pixel 8a or the Galaxy A56?
We’d point most buyers to the Galaxy A56. The main exception is if your top priority is 1 year of extra promised updates.
Which has better battery life, the Pixel 8a or the Galaxy A56?
On paper, the Galaxy A56 has the edge: 5,000 mAh of battery capacity against 4,492 mAh for the Pixel 8a. Real-world results also depend on how you use it.
Is the Pixel 8a bigger than the Galaxy A56?
The Galaxy A56 takes that one. With dimensions of 6.39 × 3.05 × 0.29 in, it is larger than the Pixel 8a (5.99 × 2.86 × 0.35 in).
Is the Pixel 8a cheaper than the Galaxy A56?
The Galaxy A56 launched at $1 more than the Pixel 8a, based on prices as of March 2025.
Which weighs less, the Pixel 8a or the Galaxy A56?
On the scale, the Pixel 8a comes out ahead at 0.35 oz lighter than the Galaxy A56.
Executive Summary
Whenever Google and Samsung go head to head, I learn something about what each one cares about, and the Pixel 8a and the Galaxy A56 are no exception. Practically speaking, the Galaxy A56’s biggest advantage is faster 45 W wired charging. Add an extra rear camera to the list, and the Galaxy A56 looks even better. Still, if you care most about 1 year of extra promised updates, the Pixel 8a deserves a look.
For software & updates, the Pixel 8a fits better. For battery & charging, the Galaxy A56 is the better match.
My pick: I think most people will be happier with the Galaxy A56, unless what you want most is 1 year of extra promised updates.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.