Nothing Phone 3a vs Galaxy A36
It’s Nothing against Samsung in the midrange smartphone class, and the Nothing Phone 3a and the Galaxy A36 are the models carrying each flag. This one has a front-runner. The Nothing Phone 3a wins 3 of 5 compared areas, and display is where the difference is hardest to miss.
At a glance
- Display Nothing Phone 3a wins
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Nothing Phone 3a wins
- Battery & Charging Nothing Phone 3a wins
- Software & Updates Galaxy A36 wins
- Price Nothing Phone 3a wins
- Display10.0
- Camera6.9
- Battery & Charging9.2
- Display8.1
- Camera5.3
- Battery & Charging8.5
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Galaxy A36 has 3 years of extra promised updates
The Galaxy A36’s 6 years leaves the Nothing Phone 3a’s 3 years well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. Software support is what separates a phone that ages gracefully from one that doesn’t, making it one of the most practical lines on the spec sheet.
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The Nothing Phone 3a has 58% higher peak brightness
Not a close call. The Nothing Phone 3a lists 3,000 nits and the Galaxy A36 lists 1,900 nits. That’s a substantial gap. Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
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The Galaxy A36 has a 0.04 in slimmer body
Among all the differences on this page, 0.29 in against 0.33 in is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Galaxy A36. It’s a difference you mostly notice in the hand and in tight pockets.
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The Nothing Phone 3a has a sharper 32 MP selfie camera
The Galaxy A36 gives up a lot on front camera: 12 MP, compared with 32 MP on the Nothing Phone 3a. Front cameras are often an afterthought, so a higher-resolution sensor is a small but welcome edge for the Nothing Phone 3a.
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The Nothing Phone 3a has faster 50 W wired charging
A modest but measurable lead goes to the Nothing Phone 3a: 50 W compared with 45 W. The Nothing Phone 3a refills faster on a cable, which matters most on the mornings you forgot to charge overnight.
Design & Size
- Nothing Phone 3a 6.44 in × 3.05 in × 0.33 in
- Galaxy A36 6.41 in × 3.08 in × 0.29 in
Their dimensions are close enough that size should be one of the last things you weigh. The Nothing Phone 3a is neither lighter nor heavier than the Galaxy A36 in any way that counts. The Nothing Phone 3a measures 0.04 in more in depth than the Galaxy A36.
Design & Build
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.44 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 3.05 in | 3.08 in |
| Thickness | 0.33 in | 0.29 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.09 oz Heaviest in class | 6.88 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP64 Lowest IP rating | IP67 (winner) |
Display
Nothing Phone 3a leads
The display numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the Nothing Phone 3a. The Nothing Phone 3a scores with 58% higher peak brightness. Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks. For display, the Nothing Phone 3a is the one to beat.
Peak brightness
Nothing Phone 3a: 3,000 nits Galaxy A36: 1,900 nits If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Nothing Phone 3a’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday.
Performance
There isn’t a number to compare on performance, just names. Look at the rows below to see how the Nothing Phone 3a and the Galaxy A36 differ.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
Both the Nothing Phone 3a and the Galaxy A36 cover memory & storage equally well on paper. In short, memory & storage is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Camera
Nothing Phone 3a leads
A modest lead on camera belongs to the Nothing Phone 3a. In its favor, the Nothing Phone 3a has a sharper 32 MP selfie camera. A sharper selfie camera helps with video calls, vlogs and group selfies. That makes the Nothing Phone 3a the natural choice for buyers focused on camera.
Front camera
Nothing Phone 3a: 32 MP Galaxy A36: 12 MP If you mainly use the front camera for calls, the gap is minor; if you post selfies often, the Nothing Phone 3a’s extra resolution helps.
Battery & Charging
Nothing Phone 3a leads
The Galaxy A36 comes close on battery & charging, but the Nothing Phone 3a does just enough to lead. Point to the Nothing Phone 3a for faster 50 W wired charging. Peak charging speeds depend on a compatible charger, which may not come in the box. In short, the Nothing Phone 3a is the better-equipped phone for battery & charging.
Wired charging
Nothing Phone 3a: 50 W Galaxy A36: 45 W Faster wired charging means a short top-up before you head out goes further.
Software & Updates
Galaxy A36 leads
The Galaxy A36 wins the software & updates section decisively. The Galaxy A36 pulls ahead with 3 years of extra promised updates. A longer update promise keeps the phone secure and current for longer, which matters if you keep devices for several years. For anyone who cares most about software & updates, the Galaxy A36 is the safer choice.
Promised OS updates
Nothing Phone 3a: 3 years Galaxy A36: 6 years The Galaxy A36’s longer software support can also help its resale value later on.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.8 in | 6.7 in |
| Panel type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2392 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 3,000 nits (winner) Brightest screen in class | 1,900 nits |
| Always-on display | N/A (not specified) | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| Process node | N/A (not specified) | 4 nm |
| RAM | 8 GB | N/A (not specified) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 256 GB | N/A (not specified) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 50 MP | N/A (not specified) |
| Optical zoom | 2× | N/A (not specified) |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Front camera | 32 MP (winner) Sharpest selfie camera | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K30 | N/A (not specified) |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 50 W (winner) Fastest wired charging | 45 W |
| Port | USB-C (USB 2) | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15) | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 3 years | 6 years (winner) |
Design & Build
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.44 in | 6.41 in |
| Width | 3.05 in | 3.08 in |
| Thickness | 0.33 in | 0.29 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.09 oz Heaviest in class | 6.88 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP64 Lowest IP rating | IP67 (winner) |
Price
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $379 (winner) Lowest price in class | $400 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
At launch, the difference was a modest $21, with the Nothing Phone 3a slightly more affordable. Save $21 and get the stronger spec sheet? That’s the deal the Nothing Phone 3a offers.
Launch prices (US) as of March 2025. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Nothing Phone 3a if…
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (3,000 nits vs 1,900 nits peak brightness)
- you want the sharper selfie camera (32 MP vs 12 MP)
- you want the faster cable charging (50 W vs 45 W)
- you don’t need the extras that cost $21 more
Choose the Galaxy A36 if…
- you want software support that lasts longer (6 years vs 3 years)
- you care about a thin profile in your pocket (0.29 in vs 0.33 in)
- you want better protection against water and dust (IP67 vs IP64)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Nothing Phone 3a or the Galaxy A36?
The Nothing Phone 3a makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you’d trade the rest for 3 years of extra promised updates.
Does the Nothing Phone 3a last longer on a charge than the Galaxy A36?
Neither has a meaningful advantage. The Nothing Phone 3a and the Galaxy A36 are rated close enough that your usage will matter more than the spec sheet.
Is the Nothing Phone 3a bigger than the Galaxy A36?
The Nothing Phone 3a and the Galaxy A36 are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Does the Nothing Phone 3a perform better than the Galaxy A36?
The Nothing Phone 3a is powered by Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 and the Galaxy A36 by Snapdragon 6 Gen 3. Check independent benchmarks for how they compare in the apps you use.
Which has the better camera, the Nothing Phone 3a or the Galaxy A36?
The Nothing Phone 3a leads on camera specs thanks to a sharper 32 MP selfie camera. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Which has the better screen, the Nothing Phone 3a or the Galaxy A36?
On display specs, the Nothing Phone 3a leads thanks to 58% higher peak brightness.
Executive Summary
I read both spec sheets (the Nothing Phone 3a’s and the Galaxy A36’s) so you don’t have to. If I had to name one reason, it’s that the Nothing Phone 3a brings 58% higher peak brightness. Beyond that, a sharper 32 MP selfie camera gives the Nothing Phone 3a another edge. On the other side, the Galaxy A36 brings 3 years of extra promised updates, and I wouldn’t dismiss that.
I’d match them like this: display to the Nothing Phone 3a, software & updates to the Galaxy A36.
My pick: the Nothing Phone 3a is the sensible default. Only one thing changes that: if you need 3 years of extra promised updates, which only the Galaxy A36 offers.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.