Nothing Phone 3a Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A36 5G: Which Mid-Ranger Is Right For You?
We pit the Nothing Phone 3a Pro against the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G to see which mid-range phone deserves your money.
If you’re shopping for a stylish, future-ready mid-ranger in 2025, two phones are probably dominating your shortlist—the flashy new Nothing Phone 3a Pro and the ever-reliable Samsung Galaxy A36 5G.
Both come in under ₹40,000 ($480), pack the same 5,000mAh battery, offer AMOLED displays with 120Hz refresh rates, and are powered by Snapdragon chips. But dig a little deeper, and these two phones tell very different stories—one about bold design and camera muscle, the other about durability, AI, and long-term updates.
So, which one should land in your pocket? Here’s a breakdown that goes beyond the spec sheet.
Kelechi Edeh
/1. Design & Build
Samsung keeps things clean and familiar—Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back, a slim 7.4mm profile, and that minimalist camera layout we’ve seen across its premium lineup. It’s comfortable, lightweight, and IP67 water-resistant. Nothing groundbreaking, but nothing wrong, either.
The Nothing Phone 3a Pro, however, is not trying to be so subtle. It’s thicker and heavier, but its transparent back, Glyph interface, and new “Essential Key” give it a distinct identity. While it’s only IP64 rated, it offers a more premium in-hand feel with aluminum framing and tempered glass.
Which wins? If you want something sleek and refined, go with the A36. If you want something that turns heads, the 3a Pro wins it.
/2. Display
Both phones feature large AMOLED panels with 120Hz refresh rates, but Nothing pulls ahead in a few key areas. Its display is slightly brighter, supports HDR10+, and reaches up to 3,000 nits in peak HDR mode, compared to 1,900 nits on the A36. It also has 2160Hz PWM dimming, which helps reduce eye strain.
Samsung’s screen is still excellent for everyday use — crisp, vibrant, and responsive — but in bright sunlight or HDR content, the Phone 3a Pro is better equipped.
Which wins? Nothing Phone 3a Pro. It’s brighter, punchier, and easier on the eyes.
/3. Performance
Under the hood, the Nothing Phone 3a Pro uses the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the Galaxy A36 runs on the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3. Benchmarks show a noticeable difference, with Nothing scoring about 21% higher in AnTuTu and offering better GPU performance for gaming.
You also get faster LPDDR5 RAM and vapor chamber cooling, which helps with sustained performance. Day-to-day use feels smooth on both, but if you're into multitasking or gaming, the extra headroom on the 3a Pro matters.
Which wins? Nothing Phone 3a Pro, especially for performance-driven users.
/4. Cameras
Samsung kept it safe with a 50MP main sensor, 8MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro—a familiar setup seen across its A-series lineup. The results are reliable but not particularly exciting.
Nothing, on the other hand, takes a more ambitious approach: a 50MP main sensor, a dedicated 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide. It also has a 50MP selfie camera, which outclasses Samsung’s 12MP front shooter, especially in detail and dynamic range.
In real-world use, Nothing offers better versatility and zoom performance, while Samsung delivers more consistent results in basic point-and-shoot scenarios.
Which wins? Nothing Phone 3a Pro. The zoom lens and sharper selfies make a noticeable difference.
/5. Battery & Charging
Both phones have a 5,000mAh battery and support fast charging, but the Nothing Phone 3a Pro is slightly faster at 50W (vs 45W on Samsung), reaching full charge in just over 55 minutes.
It also includes reverse wired charging, which can come in handy for accessories.
Which wins? Nothing Phone 3a Pro. Marginally faster charging and added flexibility.
/6. Software & Updates
Now, this is where Samsung pulls ahead—significantly.
The Galaxy A36 5G runs One UI 7 based on Android 15, with six years of software and security updates, plus a suite of AI features powered by Google’s Gemini—like Circle to Search, Object Eraser, and real-time translation.
However, Nothing OS 3.1 offers a clean, near-stock Android experience with some useful AI features of its own, like the new Essential Space hub, but it only comes with three years of updates.
Which wins? Samsung Galaxy A36 5G. Longer support and more advanced AI features make it a better long-term investment.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
If you’re after performance, display brightness, and better camera hardware — and don’t mind a slightly heavier phone — the Nothing Phone 3a Pro gives you more bang for your buck.
But if software longevity, a cleaner design, and reliable performance matter more to you, the Galaxy A36 5G is the more future-proof choice—especially with its six-year update promise.
Both are great mid-range options. It comes down to what you value more: fresh design and stronger hardware or longevity and software smarts.
