iQOO Z9svsSamsung Galaxy A56
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
Samsung Galaxy A56 wins
Verdict
Samsung Galaxy A56 wins 2 of 5 categories — our overall pick
Samsung Galaxy A56 is the overall winner, 2 / 5 — display is its standout. It costs USD 449 — USD 210 more than the iQOO Z9s. Pay the premium if display is your priority.
- Samsung Galaxy A56 takes Performance — led by performance score (950,000 pts).
- Too close to call between Samsung Galaxy A56 and iQOO Z9s.
- Samsung Galaxy A56 takes Camera — led by video score (80 pts).
- iQOO Z9s takes Battery — led by battery (5,500 mAh).
- iQOO Z9s takes Price — led by price (239 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose iQOO Z9s if you want…
- Choose iQOO Z9s if you want a bigger screen — 6.77 in vs 6.7 in.
- Choose iQOO Z9s if you want sharper selfies — 16 MP vs 12 MP.
- Choose iQOO Z9s if you want longer battery life — 5,500 mAh vs 5,000 mAh.
- Choose iQOO Z9s if you want a lower price — 239 USD vs 449 USD.
Choose Samsung Galaxy A56 if you want…
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A56 if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 950,000 pts vs 700,000 pts.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A56 if you want a sharper screen — 394 ppi vs 388 ppi.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A56 if you want a screen you can read in sunlight — 1,900 nits vs 1,800 nits.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A56 if you want better video quality — 80 pts vs 60 pts.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A56 if you want a better camera — 112 pts vs 92 pts.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A56 if you want faster charging — 45 W vs 44 W.
At a glance
- iQOO Z9s
- Samsung Galaxy A56
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Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Peak brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video score
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera score
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
iQOO Z9s
Choose iQOO Z9s if price matters most. It costs USD 239, the lowest price in this group.
Samsung Galaxy A56
Choose Samsung Galaxy A56 if display matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 449.
Pros & cons
iQOO Z9s
- 120 Hz AMOLED
- Dimensity 7300
- 5,500 mAh battery
- No ultrawide
- Plastic frame
- No telephoto
Samsung Galaxy A56
- Great value
- 5,000 mAh battery
- 6 years of updates
- Mid-range Exynos chip
- Plastic frame
- No wireless charging