iPhone 17 Pro Max
A19 Pro · 6.9″ OLED · IP68
Samsung Galaxy A56
Exynos 1580 · 6.7″ AMOLED · IP67
iPhone 17 Pro Max takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, iPhone 17 Pro Max lands at 96 and Samsung Galaxy A56 at 84. That puts iPhone 17 Pro Max ahead by 12 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick iPhone 17 Pro Max if…
- ✓A19 Pro chip
- ✓Up to 39 hours video playback
- ✓Up to 2 TB storage
Pick Samsung Galaxy A56 if…
- ✓6 years of OS updates at $499
- ✓IP67 + Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- ✓Generous battery
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPhotography
iPhone 17 Pro MaxStills and video quality across lenses
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on camera (95 vs 84).
Battery life
iPhone 17 Pro MaxScreen-on time and charging
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on battery (92 vs 90).
Performance
iPhone 17 Pro MaxChipset speed for gaming and heavy apps
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on cpu (98 vs 80).
Display
iPhone 17 Pro MaxPanel quality, brightness, refresh rate
iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on display (95 vs 90).
Value for money
Samsung Galaxy A56Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Samsung Galaxy A56 more score per dollar ($499 vs $1,199).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | ▲ 6.9″ OLED, 2868×1320 at 460 ppi | 6.7″ Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro chip | Exynos 1580 |
| Storage | ▲ 256 / 512 GB / 1 / 2 TB | 128 / 256 GB |
| Battery (video) | Up to 39 hours | — |
| Charging | ▲ 50% in 20 min with 40W adapter; MagSafe up to 25W | 45W wired |
| OS | iOS 26 | One UI 7 |
| Weight | 233 g | ▲ 198 g |
| IP rating | IP68 (6 m, 30 min) | IP67 |
| RAM | — | 8 / 12 GB |
| Rear camera | — | 50 MP main + 12 MP UW + 5 MP macro |
| Battery | — | 5000 mAh |
iPhone 17 Pro Max
- +A19 Pro chip
- +Up to 39 hours video playback
- +Up to 2 TB storage
- −Premium price
- −Weighs 233 g
- −Wired charging requires 40W+ adapter
Samsung Galaxy A56
- +6 years of OS updates at $499
- +IP67 + Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- +Generous battery
- −Exynos 1580 trails Snapdragon-A peers
- −No Galaxy AI Gen 2 features
- −Plastic frame
FAQ: iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy A56
Which is better, iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 12. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is iPhone 17 Pro Max worth the price? +
At $1,199, iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.
Is Samsung Galaxy A56 worth the price? +
At $499, Samsung Galaxy A56 delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in battery.
Does iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56 last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for photography, iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max — leads on camera (95 vs 84). Stills and video quality across lenses.
Which is better for battery life, iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy A56? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max — leads on battery (92 vs 90). Screen-on time and charging.