
The Battle of Budget 5G Phones
In the world of affordable 5G smartphones, the Nothing Phone 3a and Samsung Galaxy A36 5G are making waves. Priced at Rs. 23,990 and Rs. 32,999 respectively, both phones promise great features without breaking the bank. But which one should you buy? Let’s break it down.
Performance: Speed vs Efficiency
Both phones deliver solid performance, but the Nothing Phone 3a edges ahead with its Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, compared to the A36’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3. While both have 8GB RAM, the Nothing Phone’s processor is slightly faster, making it better for multitasking and gaming.

Display: AMOLED Brilliance
The Nothing Phone 3a boasts a 6.77-inch Flexible AMOLED screen with a 3000 nits peak brightness, while the Samsung A36 5G offers a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 1900 nits. Both have 120Hz refresh rates, but the Nothing Phone’s screen is brighter and slightly larger.
Also Read: Poco F7 Ultra Launches With Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 at ₹55,680 – Worth It?
Camera: More Megapixels or Better Features?
- Rear Cameras: Both have 50MP primary and 8MP ultra-wide lenses, but the Nothing Phone adds a 50MP telephoto camera, while Samsung includes a 5MP macro lens.
- Front Camera: The Nothing Phone wins with a 32MP selfie camera vs Samsung’s 12MP.
Battery & Charging: A Close Call
Both pack 5000mAh batteries, but the Nothing Phone 3a charges faster at 50W (50% in 19 minutes) compared to Samsung’s 45W (66% in 30 minutes).
Extras: Durability & Audio
- Samsung offers better water resistance (IP67) vs Nothing’s IP64.
- Both have stereo speakers, but Samsung adds Dolby Atmos for richer sound.
Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
If you want better performance, a brighter display, and faster charging, the Nothing Phone 3a is the clear winner—and it’s cheaper! But if water resistance and brand trust matter more, the Samsung A36 5G is a solid pick.
Also Read: This New Budget Phone Survives Drops, Dust & Water—Is It the Toughest Under ₹15K?