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Smartphone comparison

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G vs Nothing Phone 3a

Compare cameras, battery, screen and everyday features.

Compared products
01Selected
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

  • 195 g.
  • About 120 Hz display refresh rate.
  • About 6.7 inch screen.
  • Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) processor.
  • Storage: UFS 2.2.
KSh 40,000In Stock
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02
Nothing Phone 3a

Nothing Phone 3a

  • 201 g.
  • About 120 Hz display refresh rate.
  • About 6.77 inch screen.
  • Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm) processor.
  • Storage: UFS 2.2.
KSh 39,300In Stock
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2 spaces available

Samsung Galaxy A37 5GKSh 38,500
Samsung Galaxy A57 5GKSh 42,000
Motorola G77 5GKSh 40,500
Redmi Note 15 Pro 5GKSh 38,000
Google Pixel 7KSh 39,500
Redmi Note 15 Pro 4GKSh 38,500
Motorola S50 NeoKSh 37,500
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

With the same 5,000 mAh battery and 50 MP main camera, the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G has a longer cycle life (2,000 cycles), 6 promised OS upgrades and better water and dust protection (IP67), while the Nothing Phone 3a has optical zoom, sharper selfies (32 MP) and a brighter screen for outdoor use.

Weight

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
195 g
Nothing Phone 3a
201 g

Display

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
About 6.7 inch screen
Nothing Phone 3a
About 6.77 inch screen

Performance

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) processor
Nothing Phone 3a
Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm) processor

Charging

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
45 W rated wired charging power
Nothing Phone 3a
50 W rated wired charging power

Water resistance

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
IP67 water and dust resistance
Nothing Phone 3a
IP64 water and dust resistance

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G

  • IP67 water and dust resistance (vs IP64).
  • Rated for more charge cycles: 2,000 (vs 1,400).
  • More promised OS upgrades: 6 (vs 3).
  • Slimmer: 7.4 mm thick (vs 8.4 mm).

Nothing Phone 3a

  • Telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom.
  • Brighter display: up to 3,000 nits (vs 1,900).
  • Higher-resolution selfie camera: 32 MP (vs 12 MP).

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PrioritySamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
Display6.7-inch OLED display, 120 Hz, 385 ppi6.77-inch OLED display, 120 Hz, 387 ppi
Camera50 MP main camera with OIS50 MP main camera with OIS, plus a 2x telephoto camera
PerformanceQualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processorQualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor
Charging45 W wired charging50 W wired charging
Weight195 g201 g
Water resistanceIP67 water and dust resistanceIP64 water and dust resistance

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
BrandSamsungNothing
ModelGalaxy A36Phone (3a)
Announced2025, March 022025, March 04
Release statusAvailable. Released 2025, March 10Available. Released 2025, March 11
Model numbersSM-A366E, SM-A366E/DS, SM-A366B, SM-A366B/DS, SM-A366U, SM-A366U1, SM-A366WA059
SAR1.07 W/kg (head)—
SAR EU0.53 W/kg (head)     1.29 W/kg (body)—

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
Dimensions162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm (6.41 x 3.08 x 0.29 in)163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm (6.44 x 3.05 x 0.33 in)
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)201 g (7.09 oz)
Build materialsGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+)Glass front (Panda Glass), plastic frame, glass back
Additional body features—3 LED light strips on the back (notifications, camera fill light, 26 addressable zones)

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
DisplaySuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak); 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.77 inches, 111.5 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio); AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1300 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Screen resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)1080 x 2392 pixels (~387 ppi density)
Display protectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+Panda Glass
Display featuresSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 1900 nits (peak)Ultra HDR image support

Performance

Performance specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
ProcessorQualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm)
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520)
GPUAdreno 710Adreno 810

Memory & Storage

Memory & Storage specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
RAM6GB / 8GB / 12GB8GB / 12GB
Storage128GB / 256GB128GB / 256GB
Storage technologyUFS 2.2UFS 2.2
Expandable storageNoNo
Memory configurations128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM

Cameras

Cameras specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
Rear camera50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.96", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.74", 0.64µm, PDAF (25cm - ∞), 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Front camera12 MP, f/2.2, (wide)32 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide), 1/3.44"
Rear camera featuresLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Rear camera video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Front camera video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 10-bit HDR1080p@30fps

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
Battery5000 mAh5000 mAh
Charging45W wired, 66% in 30 min, 100% in 68 min50W wired, 50% in 19 min, 100% in 56 min

Software

Software specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
Operating systemAndroid 15, up to 6 major OS updates, One UI 8.5Android 15, upgradable to Android 16, Nothing OS 4.0, up to 3 major OS updates

Network

Network specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
NetworkGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - USA1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International; 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
Network speedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Durability

Durability specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
Water resistanceIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes)

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
ColorsLavender, Black, White, LimeBlack, White, Blue, Community Edition green
Multitasking and productivityVirtual Proximity Sensing—

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
LoudspeakersYes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
3.5 mm headphone jackNoNo

Tests

Tests specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
PerformanceAnTuTu: 613492 (v10) GeekBench: 2917 (v6) 3DMark: 912 (Wild Life Extreme)—
Display1233 nits max brightness (measured)—
Loudspeaker-26.2 LUFS (Good)—
BatteryActive use score 11:38h—
Performance benchmarks—AnTuTu: 828429 (v10) GeekBench: 3278 (v6) 3DMark: 1064 (Wild Life Extreme)
Measured display brightness—1273 nits max brightness (measured)
Measured loudspeaker loudness—-24.1 LUFS (Very good)
Active use battery score—Active use score 13:38h

EU label

EU label specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy A36 5GNothing Phone 3a
EnergyClass CClass C
Battery41:28h endurance, 2000 cycles43:56h endurance, 1400 cycles
Free fallClass C (90 falls)Class C (90 falls)
RepairabilityClass CClass C

Similarities

  • Both have 5,000 mAh batteries.
  • Both have optical image stabilisation.
  • Both support Wi-Fi 6.
  • Both use Bluetooth 5.4.
  • Both have NFC.
  • Both have a plastic frame.

In summary

Get the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G if you want a longer cycle life and 6 promised OS upgrades, or the Nothing Phone 3a if you would rather have optical zoom and sharper selfies.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

Nord CE5For Samsung Galaxy A36 5GNord CE5View product ↗Samsung Galaxy A37 5GFor Samsung Galaxy A36 5GSamsung Galaxy A37 5GView product ↗Redmi Note 15 Pro 4GFor Nothing Phone 3aRedmi Note 15 Pro 4GView product ↗Redmi Note 15 Pro 5GFor Nothing Phone 3aRedmi Note 15 Pro 5GView product ↗

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