Galaxy A56 Vs OnePlus 10 Pro

Galaxy A56
Galaxy A56
Starting at

Refurbished price:£274.00

Versus £422.50 new

See options
OnePlus 10 Pro
OnePlus 10 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:£391.00

Versus £769.39 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A56, released in March 2025, and the OnePlus 10 Pro, unveiled in January 2022, represent different segments and release timelines within the smartphone market. While both are Android-based devices, the Galaxy A56 is a more recent mid-range offering from Samsung, running Android 15 with One UI 7.0 out of the box. The OnePlus 10 Pro, on the other hand, was a flagship device at its launch, initially running Android 12 with OxygenOS 12.1. The primary distinctions between these two models lie in their core processing power, camera capabilities, and long-term software support.

Scores

Durability

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is significantly influenced by its release date and the manufacturer's commitment to software updates and physical durability.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy A56 was released in March 2025, making it a considerably newer device compared to the OnePlus 10 Pro, which was unveiled in January 2022. This difference in age directly impacts the remaining period of official software support.
  • Software Longevity: Samsung has committed to providing the Galaxy A56 with six major Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates, with some regions extending security updates to seven years, ending around March 2032. This means the A56 will receive updates until Android 21. The OnePlus 10 Pro, having launched with Android 12, typically receives three major OS updates and four years of security updates, with OxygenOS 16 (based on Android 16) expected in Q1 2026, indicating its major OS update cycle is nearing its conclusion.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A56 features an aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, along with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, offering robust protection against daily wear and tear. The OnePlus 10 Pro also incorporates Gorilla Glass for screen protection and a metal frame, though its official IP rating is not consistently confirmed across all regions.

Year of Release

2025

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance is a key differentiator, with the OnePlus 10 Pro, a former flagship, generally offering more raw power than the mid-range Galaxy A56.

  • Processing Power: The OnePlus 10 Pro is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, which was a top-tier chipset at its release, designed for demanding applications and intensive multitasking. The Galaxy A56 utilizes Samsung's Exynos 1580 (4nm) octa-core processor, which provides smooth performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming, offering a notable improvement over its predecessor.
  • System Responsiveness: Users of the OnePlus 10 Pro can expect a highly responsive experience, with applications loading quickly and seamless transitions, even with multiple apps running simultaneously. The Galaxy A56 delivers a smooth user experience for typical daily usage, handling common apps and browsing without significant delays.
  • Battery Behavior: Both devices feature a 5000 mAh battery capacity, contributing to extended usage times. The OnePlus 10 Pro is noted for its excellent battery life, often lasting into a second day with moderate use, and supports 80W wired and 50W wireless fast charging. The Galaxy A56 also offers excellent battery longevity, with users reporting nearly two days of mixed usage and over nine hours of screen-on time, supported by 45W Super Fast Charging.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

Both smartphones offer vibrant displays, but they differ in resolution and specific display technologies.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy A56 features a 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The OnePlus 10 Pro comes with a 6.7-inch QHD+ Fluid AMOLED display, offering a higher resolution of 3216 x 1440 pixels, resulting in a sharper visual experience.
  • Brightness and Clarity: The Galaxy A56 boasts a peak brightness of 1900 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The OnePlus 10 Pro also provides a bright display with good clarity, suitable for various lighting environments.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The OnePlus 10 Pro further enhances this with LTPO 2.0 technology, allowing its refresh rate to adapt dynamically from 1Hz to 120Hz, which can contribute to power efficiency.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1440 x 3216

Screen type

Super AMOLED

LTPO2 Fluid AMOLED

Audiovisual

The camera systems on both devices are designed to capture quality images and videos, each with distinct strengths.

  • Rear Camera Capabilities: The Galaxy A56 is equipped with a triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. It excels in detail preservation, natural color accuracy, and well-balanced exposure, and includes AI features like Object Eraser and Instant Slow-Mo. The OnePlus 10 Pro features a triple camera system co-developed with Hasselblad, comprising a 48MP main sensor with OIS, a 50MP ultrawide lens with a 150-degree field of view, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3.3x optical zoom. Its Hasselblad Color Calibration aims for realistic color reproduction.
  • Video Recording: The Galaxy A56 can record videos up to 4K at 30 frames per second. The OnePlus 10 Pro offers more advanced video capabilities, including 8K video recording at 24 frames per second and 4K at up to 120 frames per second, along with features like Movie Mode for manual controls.
  • Front Camera and Audio: The Galaxy A56 features a 12MP front camera. The OnePlus 10 Pro has a higher resolution 32MP front camera. Both phones offer stereo speakers for media consumption, with the OnePlus 10 Pro also supporting Dolby Atmos.

Main camera

4K@30fps

48 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

32 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several other features contribute to the overall user experience and device utility.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3, ensuring modern wireless communication standards. They both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Biometrics and Build: For security, both the Galaxy A56 and the OnePlus 10 Pro feature an in-display optical fingerprint sensor. The Galaxy A56 has an aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back, and is IP67 rated for dust and water resistance. The OnePlus 10 Pro also uses Gorilla Glass for its display and has a metal frame, though its IP rating is not universally specified.
  • Dimensions and Handling: The Galaxy A56 measures 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm and weighs 198 grams. The OnePlus 10 Pro measures 163 x 73.9 x 8.9 mm and weighs 200.5 grams. The Galaxy A56 is slightly thinner and lighter, which may contribute to a more comfortable in-hand feel for some users.

Weight

197 g

201 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6.7

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy A56 and the OnePlus 10 Pro cater to different user priorities, reflecting their respective market positions and release timelines. The Galaxy A56, as a newer mid-range device, is praised for its extended software support, robust build quality with Gorilla Glass Victus+ and IP67 rating, and excellent battery life. Its camera system, while not a flagship, performs well in everyday scenarios with useful AI enhancements. Some users might find its performance modest compared to higher-end devices, and the lack of a microSD card slot is a change from previous A-series models.

The OnePlus 10 Pro, a former flagship, is frequently lauded for its powerful processing capabilities, making it suitable for demanding applications and gaming. Its QHD+ LTPO AMOLED display offers a sharper visual experience with adaptive refresh rates, and its fast wired and wireless charging are significant advantages. The Hasselblad-tuned camera system, with its 8K video recording and comprehensive manual controls, is also a strong point. However, its software support cycle is nearing its end, and some users have noted inconsistencies with its IP rating.

Users prioritizing long-term software updates, a highly durable build, and consistent battery performance for everyday use may find the Galaxy A56 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users who require top-tier processing power for intensive tasks, a higher-resolution display, faster charging, and advanced camera features for creative work might lean towards the OnePlus 10 Pro. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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