KKN Gurugram  Desk | Nothing Phone (3a) Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A36 (2025 comparison): Under ₹31,000, which phone offers better value for money? Compare specs, design, battery, camera, display, and performance.

???? Overview: A Battle of Bold Design vs Brand Trust

In India’s fiercely competitive mid-range smartphone segment, two new entries have created buzz — Nothing Phone (3a) Pro and Samsung Galaxy A36. Both are priced around ₹30,999 and aim to capture the attention of tech-savvy users looking for flagship-level features at an affordable price point.

But which one is the smarter buy in 2025? Let’s break it down.

???? Design & Build: Iconic vs Practical

???? Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

• Distinctive Glyph Interface with LED lighting

• Transparent design with three LED stripes

• Plastic mid-frame

• No IP rating mentioned

???? Samsung Galaxy A36

• Clean, premium look but less flashy

• Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection

• IP67-certified water and dust resistance

• Aluminum frame adds durability

???? Verdict:
If aesthetics and uniqueness matter to you, Nothing’s Glyph interface is visually stunning. But for those who prioritize ruggedness and protection, Samsung’s IP67 rating and sturdy design stand out.

???? Display Comparison

???? Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

• 6.77-inch AMOLED display

• FHD+ resolution

• 120Hz refresh rate

• Peak brightness: 3000 nits

???? Samsung Galaxy A36

• 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen

• FHD+ resolution

• 120Hz refresh rate

• Peak brightness: 1900 nits

???? Verdict:
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro wins in display brightness and immersive size. For content consumption and outdoor visibility, it has a clear edge.

⚙️ Performance & Processor

???? Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset

• Up to 12GB RAM, 512GB storage

???? Samsung Galaxy A36

• Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset

• Up to 12GB RAM, 256GB storage

???? Verdict:
Nothing pulls ahead again with a slightly more powerful chipset and larger storage. Ideal for power users and gamers.

???? Battery & Charging

???? Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

• 5,000mAh battery

• 50W wired fast charging

???? Samsung Galaxy A36

• 5,000mAh battery

• 45W wired fast charging

???? Verdict:
Both phones offer strong battery life, but Nothing edges out Samsung with a slightly faster charging speed.

???? Camera Comparison

???? Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

• 50MP main sensor

• 8MP ultrawide

• 50MP telephoto (3x periscope zoom)

• 50MP front selfie camera

???? Samsung Galaxy A36

• 50MP main sensor

• 8MP ultrawide

• 5MP macro lens

• 12MP selfie camera

???? Verdict:
Nothing dominates the camera department with flagship-level telephoto zoom and a higher resolution selfie camera. Samsung lags behind with basic macro and ultrawide sensors.

???? Software & Updates

???? Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

• Clean Android experience with Nothing OS

• 2–3 years of promised updates (unofficial)

???? Samsung Galaxy A36

• One UI 6 based on Android 14

• 4 years of Android updates

• 5 years of security patches

???? Verdict:
For long-term software support and brand reliability, Samsung wins hands down. Ideal for users who want a phone that lasts years without performance or security issues.

???? Price & Value

• Nothing Phone (3a) Pro (8GB+128GB) – ₹30,999

• Samsung Galaxy A36 (8GB+128GB) – ₹30,999

Both phones are identically priced, but differ significantly in what they offer.

???? Specs at a Glance