Nothing Phone 3a vs Galaxy A56
The Nothing Phone 3a and the Galaxy A56 are two different answers to the same midrange smartphone brief, each with its own set of priorities. Taken area by area, the Nothing Phone 3a wins 2 of 5. That doesn’t make the Galaxy A56 a bad choice, but it does set the baseline. On top of that, the Galaxy A56 asked $121 more at launch.
At a glance
- Display Nothing Phone 3a wins
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Trade-off
- Battery & Charging Nothing Phone 3a wins
- Software & Updates Galaxy A56 wins
- Price Nothing Phone 3a wins
- Display10.0
- Camera6.9
- Battery & Charging9.2
- Display8.1
- Camera6.9
- 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
-
The Galaxy A56 has 3 years of extra promised updates
Few buyers will miss this one. The Galaxy A56 brings 6 years to the table; the Nothing Phone 3a brings 3 years. 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
When it comes to peak brightness, the Nothing Phone 3a wins comfortably with 3,000 nits against 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.
-
The Galaxy A56 has a 0.04 in slimmer body
It’s a lopsided result (0.29 in for the Galaxy A56, 0.33 in for the Nothing Phone 3a) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. A slimmer phone slides into pockets more easily and feels less bulky, especially once a case goes on.
-
The Nothing Phone 3a has a sharper 32 MP selfie camera
The spread here is large: 32 MP on the Nothing Phone 3a versus 12 MP on the Galaxy A56. Expect to notice it. 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 Galaxy A56 has a sharper 12 MP ultra-wide
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Galaxy A56 makes its strongest case: 12 MP against 8 MP. If you rarely switch to the wide view, this won’t matter much; if you use it often, it will.
Design & Size
- Nothing Phone 3a 6.44 in × 3.05 in × 0.33 in
- Galaxy A56 6.39 in × 3.05 in × 0.29 in
Expect the same physical presence from both; their dimensions are very close. Weight-wise, the Nothing Phone 3a and the Galaxy A56 are neck and neck. The Galaxy A56 keeps a lower profile: 0.04 in thinner than the Nothing Phone 3a.
Design & Build
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.44 in | 6.39 in |
| Width | 3.05 in | 3.05 in |
| Thickness | 0.33 in | 0.29 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.09 oz Heaviest in class | 6.98 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP64 Lowest IP rating | IP67 (winner) |
| Frame | N/A (not specified) | Aluminum |
Display
Nothing Phone 3a leads
When it comes to display, the Nothing Phone 3a is comfortably ahead. The Nothing Phone 3a takes this one with 58% higher peak brightness. Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility. So if display tops your list, lean toward the Nothing Phone 3a.
Peak brightness
Nothing Phone 3a: 3,000 nits Galaxy A56: 1,900 nits Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
Performance
In the performance section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the Nothing Phone 3a and the Galaxy A56 list in the table below.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
There’s little to choose between them when it comes to memory & storage. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Camera
Trade-off
No clean winner on camera. The Nothing Phone 3a has a sharper 32 MP selfie camera; the Galaxy A56 has a sharper 12 MP ultra-wide. On camera, the better choice comes down to your own priorities.
Front camera
Nothing Phone 3a: 32 MP Galaxy A56: 12 MP A sharper selfie camera helps with video calls, vlogs and group selfies.
Ultra-wide camera
Nothing Phone 3a: 8 MP Galaxy A56: 12 MP A sharper ultra-wide keeps more detail at the edges of landscape, architecture and group shots.
Battery & Charging
Nothing Phone 3a leads
Slight edge to the Nothing Phone 3a on battery & charging. Most buyers could live happily with either. On its side, the Nothing Phone 3a has faster 50 W wired charging. Peak charging speeds depend on a compatible charger, which may not come in the box. The battery & charging verdict goes to the Nothing Phone 3a.
Wired charging
Nothing Phone 3a: 50 W Galaxy A56: 45 W Faster wired charging means a short top-up before you head out goes further.
Software & Updates
Galaxy A56 leads
On software & updates, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the Galaxy A56. Here the Galaxy A56 offers 3 years of extra promised updates. The Galaxy A56’s longer software support can also help its resale value later on. Bottom line for software & updates: the Galaxy A56 has the edge.
Promised OS updates
Nothing Phone 3a: 3 years Galaxy A56: 6 years A longer update promise keeps the phone secure and current for longer, which matters if you keep devices for several years.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Exynos 1580 |
| 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 A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 256 GB | N/A (not specified) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 8 MP | 12 MP (winner) |
| 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 A56 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 A56 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.44 in | 6.39 in |
| Width | 3.05 in | 3.05 in |
| Thickness | 0.33 in | 0.29 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.09 oz Heaviest in class | 6.98 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP64 Lowest IP rating | IP67 (winner) |
| Frame | N/A (not specified) | Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | Nothing Phone 3a | Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $379 (winner) Lowest price in class | $500 |
“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
The price gap is wide: $121 at launch, which is 32% of difference between the Nothing Phone 3a and the Galaxy A56. The Nothing Phone 3a costs $121 less and still comes out ahead in more areas, a rare combination.
Launch prices in the US as of March 2025; street prices move, so check before you buy.
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 take a lot of selfies or video calls (32 MP vs 12 MP front camera)
- you want the faster cable charging (50 W vs 45 W)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($121 less)
Choose the Galaxy A56 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 often shoot landscapes, buildings or group photos (12 MP vs 8 MP ultra-wide)
- you want better protection against water and dust (IP67 vs IP64)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Nothing Phone 3a or the Galaxy A56?
The Nothing Phone 3a makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you’d rather have 3 years of extra promised updates on the Galaxy A56.
Which has better battery life, the Nothing Phone 3a or the Galaxy A56?
Neither has a meaningful advantage. The Nothing Phone 3a and the Galaxy A56 are rated close enough that your usage will matter more than the spec sheet.
Which is larger, the Nothing Phone 3a or the Galaxy A56?
The Nothing Phone 3a and the Galaxy A56 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 A56?
The Nothing Phone 3a uses Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the Galaxy A56 uses Exynos 1580. How that translates into speed depends on the workloads you care about.
Is the Nothing Phone 3a’s display better than the Galaxy A56’s?
On display specs, the Nothing Phone 3a leads thanks to 58% higher peak brightness.
Is the Nothing Phone 3a cheaper than the Galaxy A56?
At launch, the Nothing Phone 3a undercut the Galaxy A56 by $121. These figures are as of March 2025, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
I’ll be upfront: I have no stake in whether you buy Nothing or Samsung. I only care that you end up with the right one of the Nothing Phone 3a and the Galaxy A56. Start with the headline difference (the Nothing Phone 3a has 58% higher peak brightness), and a lot of the decision falls into place. Another thing in the Nothing Phone 3a’s favor is a sharper 32 MP selfie camera. Fairness check: the Galaxy A56 does come with 3 years of extra promised updates.
The Nothing Phone 3a is built for people who weigh display heavily, and the Galaxy A56 for people who weigh software & updates.
My pick: the Nothing Phone 3a is the sensible default. Only one thing changes that: if your top priority is 3 years of extra promised updates.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.