The Samsung Galaxy M36, representing a more established mid-range offering, faces off against the newcomer Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, which aims to disrupt with its design and focus on essential features. This comparison dives deep into the core specifications to determine which device delivers the best value and performance for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing display quality and rapid charging, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the clear winner. Its 50W charging and 1097 nit display significantly outperform the M36. However, the M36’s Exynos 1380 may offer comparable efficiency for everyday tasks.
| 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, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 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, June 27 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 12 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), plastic frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.7 mm (6.47 x 3.07 x 0.30 in) | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP5 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 | Android 14, 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 | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm |
| 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@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Orange Haze, Velvet Black, Serene Green | Black, Grey |
| Models | SM-M366B, SM-M366B/DS | A142P |
| Price | ₹ 14,999 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
| SAR | 0.46 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.38 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy M36
- Potentially better power efficiency with the Exynos 1380.
- Established Samsung brand reputation.
- Likely more affordable price point (depending on market).
- Slower 25W charging.
- Likely lower peak display brightness.
- Older chipset architecture.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Significantly faster 50W charging.
- Brighter 1097 nit display.
- More efficient 4nm Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset.
- Newer brand with less established support network.
- Potentially higher price point.
- Long-term software support remains to be seen.
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1097 nits, making it far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight compared to the M36 (brightness data unavailable, but typically lower in this segment). While the M36’s panel technology isn’t specified, the 2a Plus’s brightness advantage is substantial. The 2a Plus likely utilizes a higher-quality panel, contributing to better color accuracy and viewing angles. Bezels are expected to be slimmer on the newer 2a Plus, offering a more immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the M36, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to prioritize image quality with its main sensor (specifications unavailable in context data). The M36 likely features a more traditional Samsung image processing style, potentially emphasizing vibrant colors. The 2a Plus’s camera system is likely tuned for a more natural look. The presence or absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device is unknown, but OIS would be a significant advantage for low-light photography.
Performance
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm), built on a more efficient node than the Samsung Galaxy M36’s Exynos 1380 (5nm). This 4nm process generally translates to better thermal management and improved power efficiency. The 2a Plus’s CPU configuration – 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 – offers a performance edge over the M36’s 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55, particularly in single-core tasks. While both utilize octa-core designs, the newer Cortex-A715 cores in the 2a Plus represent a generational leap in performance. The M36 may hold its own in sustained multi-core workloads, but the 2a Plus is likely to be snappier in everyday use.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus shines in the battery and charging department. Its 50W wired charging capability allows for a 50% charge in just 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes – a significant advantage over the M36’s 25W charging. While the M36’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the 2a Plus’s active use score of 16:34h demonstrates excellent real-world battery life. The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s 4nm efficiency likely contributes to this longevity, offsetting any potential capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M36 if you prioritize a potentially more power-efficient chipset for extended daily use and are less concerned with blazing-fast charging or a super-bright display. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you value a vibrant, easily visible screen, incredibly fast charging speeds, and a modern, minimalist aesthetic. The 2a Plus is geared towards users who are always on the go and need quick top-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy M36 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1380 is a capable chip, but its 5nm process is less efficient than the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s 4nm node. While it shouldn’t overheat catastrophically, expect some thermal throttling during extended, graphically demanding games. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is likely to maintain higher sustained performance.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compare to standard fast charging?
50W charging is considerably faster than typical 15W or 25W fast charging solutions. The 2a Plus can reach 50% charge in just 21 minutes, making it ideal for users who need a quick power boost. This is a significant advantage over the M36’s 25W charging, which will take considerably longer to fully replenish the battery.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (Cortex-A78 vs Cortex-A715) noticeable in everyday tasks?
Yes, the Cortex-A715 cores in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent a generational improvement over the Cortex-A78 cores in the Galaxy M36. You’ll likely notice snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the 2a Plus, even with everyday tasks like browsing and social media.
