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InnoReviews

Samsung Galaxy A56 vs Samsung Galaxy S21

WINNER
Samsung Galaxy A56
51.6Inno Score
VS
S
43.6Inno Score
42.5Performance34.4
48.5Display49.1
42.6Camera40.8
58.2Battery36.9
89.3Features78.7
14 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy A565 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S21

InnoReviews verdict

Samsung Galaxy A56 wins this phone face-off, 51.6 to 43.6, pulling ahead mainly in battery (+21) and features (+11). Samsung Galaxy S21 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy A56

  • Stronger performance score: 43 vs 34
  • Stronger battery score: 58 vs 37
  • Stronger features score: 89 vs 79
  • 317% higher Main camera: 50 MP vs 12 MP
  • 129% higher AnTuTu 10 (GPU): 292,734 vs 127,819
  • Lower launch price: $499 vs $799

Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S21

  • 14% lower weight: 171 g vs 198 g

Display

Display comparison: Samsung Galaxy A56 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecSamsung Galaxy A56Samsung Galaxy S21
Screen size6.7 ″+8%6.2 ″
Panel typeSuper AMOLEDAMOLED
Resolution1080x23402400x1080
Pixel density385 ppi421 ppi+9%
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness1,200 nits1,300 nits+8%
Screen-to-body87.5 %—
AnTuTu 10 (CPU)466,860+85%Top 60%252,025Top 94%
AnTuTu 10 (GPU)292,734+129%Top 60%127,819Top 79%
AnTuTu 10 (Memory)171,100+18%Top 69%144,909Top 91%
AnTuTu 10 (UX)297,168+34%Top 66%221,794Top 88%

Performance

Performance comparison: Samsung Galaxy A56 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecSamsung Galaxy A56Samsung Galaxy S21
ChipsetSamsung Exynos 1580Samsung Exynos 2100
AnTuTu 101,227,862+64%Top 36%746,547Top 66%
Geekbench 6 (single)1,350Top 56%1,430+6%Top 52%
Geekbench 6 (multi)3,900+10%Top 51%3,550Top 56%
RAM (max)12 GB+50%8 GB
Storage options128/256GB128GB / 256GB
Storage typeUFS 3.1UFS 3.1

Camera

Camera comparison: Samsung Galaxy A56 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecSamsung Galaxy A56Samsung Galaxy S21
Main camera50 MP+317%12 MP
Main aperturef/1.8f/1.8
Ultra-wide12 MP12 MP
Telephoto—64 MP
Max video4K@30fps8K@24fps
Front camera12 MP+20%10 MP
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: Samsung Galaxy A56 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecSamsung Galaxy A56Samsung Galaxy S21
Capacity5,000 mAh+25%4,000 mAh
Wired charging45 W+80%25 W
Wireless charging0 W15 W
Active use endurance11 h—

Design

Design comparison: Samsung Galaxy A56 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecSamsung Galaxy A56Samsung Galaxy S21
Weight198 g171 g+14%
Thickness7.4 mm+6%7.9 mm
IP ratingIP67IP68
Frame materialAluminumAluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: Samsung Galaxy A56 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecSamsung Galaxy A56Samsung Galaxy S21
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.35.0
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 2.0USB-C 3.2
eSIMYesYes

Software

Software comparison: Samsung Galaxy A56 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecSamsung Galaxy A56Samsung Galaxy S21
OS at launchAndroid 15 (One UI 7)Android 11 (One UI 3.1)
OS update pledge6 years+50%4 years

Audio

Audio comparison: Samsung Galaxy A56 versus Samsung Galaxy S21
SpecSamsung Galaxy A56Samsung Galaxy S21
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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