Samsung Galaxy A56
Exynos 1580 · 6.7″ AMOLED · IP67
iPhone 17 Pro Max
A19 Pro · 6.9″ OLED · IP68
iPhone 17 Pro Max takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Samsung Galaxy A56 lands at 84 and iPhone 17 Pro Max at 96. That puts iPhone 17 Pro Max ahead by 12 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Samsung Galaxy A56 if…
- ✓6 years of OS updates at $499
- ✓IP67 + Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- ✓Generous battery
Pick iPhone 17 Pro Max if…
- ✓A19 Pro chip
- ✓Up to 39 hours video playback
- ✓Up to 2 TB storage
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 | Samsung Galaxy A56 | iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7″ Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits | ▲ 6.9″ OLED, 2868×1320 at 460 ppi |
| Chipset | Exynos 1580 | Apple A19 Pro chip |
| RAM | 8 / 12 GB | — |
| Storage | 128 / 256 GB | ▲ 256 / 512 GB / 1 / 2 TB |
| Rear camera | 50 MP main + 12 MP UW + 5 MP macro | — |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | — |
| Charging | 45W wired | ▲ 50% in 20 min with 40W adapter; MagSafe up to 25W |
| OS | One UI 7 | iOS 26 |
| Weight | ▲ 198 g | 233 g |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 (6 m, 30 min) |
| Battery (video) | — | Up to 39 hours |
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
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
FAQ: Samsung Galaxy A56 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Which is better, Samsung Galaxy A56 or iPhone 17 Pro Max? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 96 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 12. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Samsung Galaxy A56 worth the price? +
At $499, Samsung Galaxy A56 delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in battery.
Is iPhone 17 Pro Max worth the price? +
At $1,199, iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers a Specdex score of 96 — strongest in cpu.
Does Samsung Galaxy A56 or iPhone 17 Pro Max 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, Samsung Galaxy A56 or iPhone 17 Pro Max? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max — leads on camera (95 vs 84). Stills and video quality across lenses.
Which is better for battery life, Samsung Galaxy A56 or iPhone 17 Pro Max? +
iPhone 17 Pro Max — leads on battery (92 vs 90). Screen-on time and charging.