Samsung Galaxy A26 vs OnePlus Nord N30 SE: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Champions
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and consistent performance, the Samsung Galaxy A26 emerges as the stronger contender. Its superior battery endurance (37:05h) and potentially more powerful chipset (depending on region) outweigh the Nord N30 SE’s faster charging, making it a more reliable daily driver.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy A26 | OnePlus Nord N30 SE |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 02 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 19 | Available. Released 2024, January 31 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+) | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 77.5 x 7.7 mm (6.46 x 3.05 x 0.30 in) | 165.6 x 76 x 8 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 193 g (6.81 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, Mohs level 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - GlobalOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - LATAM | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) - GlobalExynos 1280 (5 nm) - LATAM | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP5 - GlobalMali-G68 - LATAM | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 33W wired, 51% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Mint, Peach Pink | Black Satin, Cyan |
| Models | SM-A266E, SM-A266E/DS, SM-A266E/DSN, SM-A266B, SM-A266B/DS, SM-A266B/DSN, SM-A266U, SM-A266U1, SM-A266W | CPH2605 |
| Price | $ 194.87 / C$ 292.99 / £ 167.00 / € 194.00 / ₹ 20,398 | About 510 EUR |
| SAR | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.41 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) | - |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 37:05h endurance, 1200 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class C | - |
| Free fall | Class B (269 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Samsung Galaxy A26
- Exceptional battery endurance (37:05h)
- Potentially more powerful chipset (Exynos 1380)
- Long-term battery health with 1200 charge cycles
- Regional chipset variations (Exynos 1280 in LATAM)
- Charging speed is slower than the Nord N30 SE
OnePlus Nord N30 SE
- Faster 33W charging (51% in 30 minutes)
- Streamlined software experience (typical of OnePlus)
- Potentially lower price point
- Lower battery endurance compared to the Galaxy A26
- Less powerful chipset (Dimensity 6020)
- Unknown long-term battery health
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A26 boasts a display capable of reaching 777 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Nord N30 SE’s display specs are not provided, Samsung’s higher peak brightness suggests a more vibrant and readable outdoor experience. The absence of information regarding panel technology (LTPO, AMOLED) for either device makes a direct comparison difficult, but Samsung’s history suggests a high-quality panel. Bezels and color accuracy are unknown for both, but these are areas where Samsung typically excels.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, focusing on the chipsets, the Exynos 1380 generally offers a more capable ISP (Image Signal Processor) than the Dimensity 6020, potentially leading to better image processing and low-light performance on the Galaxy A26. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and OIS on either device makes it difficult to assess image quality definitively. It's safe to assume both phones will include standard features like portrait mode and night mode, but the quality of these features will likely differ.
Performance
The core of the performance difference lies in the chipsets. The Galaxy A26 utilizes either the Exynos 1380 (5nm) or the Exynos 1280 (5nm) depending on the region, while the Nord N30 SE features the MediaTek Dimensity 6020 (7nm). The 5nm process node used in the Exynos chips generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal management compared to the 7nm Dimensity 6020. The Exynos 1380’s octa-core configuration (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) offers a potentially higher peak performance ceiling than the Dimensity 6020’s (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), particularly in demanding tasks. However, the LATAM variant of the A26 with the Exynos 1280 has a slightly reduced core count, potentially impacting multi-threaded performance.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A26 truly shines in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 37:05 hours of usage and supporting 1200 charge cycles, indicating exceptional long-term battery health. This is significantly higher than what is typically seen in this price segment. The OnePlus Nord N30 SE, while offering faster 33W wired charging (reaching 51% in 30 minutes), doesn’t disclose its total endurance. The faster charging is beneficial for users who frequently need quick top-ups, but the A26’s longevity and active use score of 10:44h suggest it will last considerably longer between charges.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A26 if you need exceptional battery life, value long-term device health with its 1200 charge cycles, and are comfortable with potential regional chipset differences. Buy the OnePlus Nord N30 SE if you prioritize quick top-ups with its 33W charging and prefer a simpler, more streamlined software experience, accepting a trade-off in overall battery endurance.