Galaxy A56 Vs Galaxy S24

Galaxy A56
Galaxy A56
Starting at

Refurbished price:£274.00

Versus £422.50 new

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Galaxy S24
Galaxy S24
Starting at

Refurbished price:£271.00

Versus £817.67 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A56, released in March 2025, and the Samsung Galaxy S24, launched in January 2024, represent different tiers within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both devices operate on the Android platform with Samsung's One UI, the Galaxy S24 is positioned as a flagship model, offering advanced performance and premium features, whereas the Galaxy A56 serves as a robust mid-range option. Key distinctions lie in their processing power, display technology, and camera capabilities, catering to varying user priorities.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors contribute to their expected lifespan.

  • Software Support: The Galaxy S24 offers an extended commitment of seven years of operating system and security updates, with support projected to continue until 2031. The Galaxy A56, being a mid-range device, is set to receive six Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates, also extending its support until 2031. [3, 5, 8, 17]
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S24 features an Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for enhanced resistance against drops and scratches, alongside an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion in deeper water. The Galaxy A56 utilizes an aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, and carries an IP67 rating, providing protection against dust and water splashes. [3, 4, 8, 16, 26, 32]
  • Practical Lifespan: Both phones are designed for sustained use, with the S24's more robust build materials and longer software support potentially offering a slight edge in overall practical longevity for users who keep their devices for many years.

Year of Release

2025

2024

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy S24 differs significantly, reflecting their respective market segments.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 is equipped with a high-end processor, enabling it to handle demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphic-rich games with smooth responsiveness. Users will experience quick app loading and seamless transitions. [5, 17, 18] The Galaxy A56, powered by a mid-range processor, is well-suited for everyday tasks, social media, web browsing, and lighter gaming, providing a generally smooth experience for casual users. [4, 8]
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S24 typically comes with 8GB of RAM, with some configurations offering more, supporting efficient multitasking. It also features faster UFS 4.0 storage for quicker data access, though the 128GB variant uses UFS 3.1. [1, 2, 13, 19] The Galaxy A56 offers 8GB or 12GB of RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, which is capable for most daily operations, but it does not support expandable storage via microSD. [3, 4, 6, 8, 14]
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A56 houses a larger 5000 mAh battery, which generally translates to longer usage times for many users, potentially lasting more than a full day on a single charge. [3, 6, 8, 20] The Galaxy S24 has a 4000 mAh battery, designed to provide sufficient power for a full day of typical use, with some users reporting around 34 hours of use. [1, 12, 17, 26, 27]

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both devices is distinct, primarily due to differences in display technology and size.

  • Display Technology and Brightness: The Galaxy S24 features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and exceptional brightness, reaching a peak of 2600 nits. This makes content highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. [2, 5, 19, 26] The Galaxy A56 sports a larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, offering good color reproduction and clarity, with a peak brightness of 1900 nits, which is suitable for most viewing environments. [3, 4, 8]
  • Resolution and Refresh Rate: Both phones offer a Full HD+ resolution (2340x1080 pixels), providing sharp images and text. The Galaxy S24 benefits from an LTPO panel, allowing its 120Hz refresh rate to dynamically adjust down to 1Hz, optimizing power consumption while maintaining smooth scrolling. [2, 5, 16, 26, 30] The Galaxy A56 also has a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals, but it can only toggle between 60Hz and 120Hz, making it less power-efficient in certain scenarios. [3, 4, 6, 8, 26, 30]
  • Viewing Experience: Users prioritizing a more compact device with a brighter, more adaptive display will find the S24 appealing. Those who prefer a larger screen for media consumption or productivity, and are content with slightly lower peak brightness, may lean towards the A56.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2340

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy A56 and Galaxy S24 are designed for different photographic needs and offer varying capabilities.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 features a versatile triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. This configuration excels in capturing detailed images across various focal lengths and offers 8K video recording at 24/30fps. [1, 2, 5, 18, 19, 29, 31] The Galaxy A56 also has a triple-camera system, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens. It is capable of 4K video recording at 30fps. [3, 4, 6, 8, 20, 32]
  • Photography Performance: The S24's camera system, supported by advanced image processing and AI features, delivers excellent detail, color accuracy, and strong low-light performance, particularly with its telephoto capabilities. [17, 22, 29] The A56 provides good image quality in well-lit conditions, with its main camera preserving details and natural colors. Its enhanced Nightography features aim to improve low-light shots. [4, 20, 32]
  • Front Camera and Video Features: Both devices feature a 12MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. The S24 offers more advanced video features, including higher resolution and frame rate options, and AI-powered editing tools like Generative Edit and Instant Slo-mo. [1, 2, 17, 18, 22, 29, 31] The A56's front camera also supports 4K video recording at 30fps. [3]

Main camera

4K@30fps

50 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate the user experience of these two smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy S24 supports newer Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 6e/7) and USB Type-C 3.2, allowing for faster data transfer speeds and broader connectivity options. [1, 13] The Galaxy A56 supports Wi-Fi 6 and USB Type-C 2.0. Both devices offer 5G connectivity and Bluetooth 5.3 or 5.4. [3, 6, 8, 14]
  • Biometrics and Design: The Galaxy S24 features an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, which is generally considered more secure and faster than the optical sensor found in the Galaxy A56. [2, 23, 30] The S24 is also more compact and lighter, making it easier for one-handed use, while the A56 offers a larger form factor. [6, 13, 14, 23]
  • Additional Features: The Galaxy S24 integrates a comprehensive suite of Galaxy AI features, including Live Translate, Note Assist, and Circle to Search, enhancing productivity and communication. [2, 11, 17, 18] The Galaxy A56 includes some AI capabilities like Circle to Search, Object Eraser, and Best Face. [20, 32] The S24 also supports Samsung DeX for a desktop-like experience. [1]

Weight

197 g

167 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6.2

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy S24 cater to distinct user needs, each excelling in different areas. Users frequently praise the Galaxy S24 for its powerful performance, vibrant and bright display, and advanced camera system, particularly its telephoto capabilities and 8K video recording. Its comprehensive suite of AI features and extended software support are also commonly highlighted as significant advantages. Some users, however, note its smaller battery capacity compared to some competitors. [5, 12, 17, 22, 29, 33]

The Galaxy A56 is often commended for its larger display, impressive battery life, and solid overall performance for everyday use. Its durability features, including Gorilla Glass Victus+ and IP67 rating, are also well-regarded for a mid-range device. Criticisms sometimes point to its less powerful processor compared to flagships and the absence of wireless charging. [4, 8, 20, 32]

Users prioritizing a compact device with top-tier performance, a highly advanced display, and cutting-edge camera features, along with the latest AI functionalities and long-term software commitment, will find the Galaxy S24 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals who value a larger screen, extended battery life, and a capable smartphone for general use, without requiring flagship-level processing power or advanced camera zoom, may prefer the Galaxy A56. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers seeking reliable technology.

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