Galaxy F36 vs. Nothing Phone (2): A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nothing Phone (2) emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset delivers significantly superior performance, and the 45W charging is a substantial advantage. While the Galaxy F36 offers a competitive price, the performance gap is too large to ignore for power users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy F36 | Nothing Phone (2) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, July 21 | 2023, July 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 29 | Available. Released 2023, July 17 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, silicone polymer back (eco leather) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.7 mm (6.47 x 3.07 x 0.30 in) | 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm (6.38 x 3.01 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 201.2 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~387 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 109.1 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz | LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1920Hz PWM, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 1600 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP5 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.96", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, live HDR, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1), NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 45W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC4, 100% in 55 min 15W wireless, 100% in 130 min 5W reverse wireless |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4700 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Luxe Violet, Coral Red, Onyx Black | White, Dark Gray |
| Models | SM-E366B, SM-E366B/DS | A065 |
| Price | ₹ 16,999 | $ 379.99 / £ 370.00 |
| SAR | 0.46 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.38 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy F36
- Potentially lower price point
- Familiar Samsung One UI experience
- Samsung ecosystem integration
- Significantly weaker performance compared to Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
- Slower 25W charging
- Limited information on camera capabilities
Nothing Phone (2)
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
- Faster 45W wired and 15W wireless charging
- Unique and eye-catching design
- Higher price compared to the Galaxy F36
- Nothing OS may not appeal to all users
- Potential software bugs (common with newer brands)
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2) boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 998 nits, which translates to better visibility outdoors compared to the Galaxy F36 (brightness unspecified). While both likely utilize OLED panels, the Nothing Phone (2)'s higher brightness and potentially superior color calibration (based on Nothing's design ethos) give it an edge. The absence of LTPO technology in either phone suggests neither offers adaptive refresh rates for optimal power efficiency, but the Nothing Phone (2)'s panel is demonstrably brighter.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but details are limited for the F36. The Nothing Phone (2) offers both photo and video capabilities, but without specific sensor details, a direct comparison is difficult. The absence of information regarding the F36’s sensor size and aperture makes it hard to assess its low-light performance. It’s reasonable to assume the Nothing Phone (2), given its price point, will offer more advanced image processing and potentially better dynamic range. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Nothing Phone (2) is likely, further enhancing image and video quality.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant difference. The Nothing Phone (2)'s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a flagship-level chipset, featuring a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, vastly outperforming the Samsung Galaxy F36’s Exynos 1380 (5nm). The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s architecture – 1x Cortex-X2, 3x Cortex-A710, and 4x Cortex-A510 – provides a substantial advantage in both single-core and multi-core tasks. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during prolonged gaming sessions. The Exynos 1380, while capable, is designed for efficiency rather than outright speed.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2) demonstrates superior battery endurance with an active use score of 14:21h and an endurance rating of 103 hours. While the Galaxy F36’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nothing Phone (2)'s efficient chipset and software optimization contribute to its impressive longevity. Crucially, the Nothing Phone (2) supports 45W wired charging, achieving a full charge in 55 minutes, alongside 15W wireless and 5W reverse wireless charging. The Galaxy F36 is limited to 25W wired charging, resulting in a significantly slower charging experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy F36 if you prioritize a familiar Samsung experience, a lower upfront cost, and are less concerned with demanding gaming or intensive multitasking. Buy the Nothing Phone (2) if you value raw performance, faster charging speeds, a distinctive design, and a cleaner software experience, even at a higher price point.