Nothing Phone (3a) Lite vs Samsung Galaxy A37

Verdict

Nothing Phone (3a) Lite scores higher on the OH Rank (44 vs 42), winning 3 of 10 categories including Battery and Screen. Samsung Galaxy A37 is 0.2mm wider than Nothing Phone (3a) Lite. Samsung Galaxy A37 is the more recent release, from Apr 9, 2026.

Score Breakdown

Category

Nothing Phone (3a) Lite

78mm (3.07in) · Oct 29, 2025 · Rank #246

Samsung Galaxy A37

78.2mm (3.08in) · Apr 9, 2026 · Rank #249
Performance /15
0
1
Battery /15
10
7
Screen /15
8
5
IP Protection /15
6
12
Main Camera /15
6
6
Selfie /5
3
3
Video /5
3
3
SD Memory /5
5
0
Software /5
3
5
Desktop Replacement /5
0
0
TOTAL
44
42
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite
78mm (3.07in) · Oct 29, 2025 · Rank #246
0+10+8+6+6+3+3+5+3+0 = 44
* TOP Memory ExpansionMidrange

EDITORIAL: Nothing Phone adds a Lite label to it's c confusing naming convention, perhaps trying to lift the perception of their main offering: the Nothing Phone (3a). This one is a stripped down version (no glyphs, no telephoto, worse selfie) but does have better endurance and adds expandable storage too. The Nothing OS is loaded with useful features and also incorporates ChatGPT. Software wise, Nothing is doing things that would have saved Sony Xperia - adding tangible software value to very unique and fun hardware...

PROs
fun, good Dimensity 7300 Pro with UFS 2.2 performance, good >30hr endurance from a 5000mAh battery with sub-70min 33W charging, almost 1300nits bright AMOLED screen with HDR10+, very good 50MP 24mm OIS PDAF main camera takes good pics and videos, SD memory expansion, excellent software with tons of useful features,
CONs
big and wide, hard to use one hand, only IP54 (splash) protection, weak 8MP 15mm fixed focus ultrawide + 2MP macro lens, uninspired 16 24mm fixed focus selfie, only 3 years of OS updates, no desktop replacement functionality, slow USB-C 2.0 but it does offer OTG
Samsung Galaxy A37
78.2mm (3.08in) · Apr 9, 2026 · Rank #249
1+7+5+12+6+3+3+0+5+0 = 42
* TOP SoftwareMidrange

EDITORIAL: Like the rest of Samsung's 2026, the A37 suffers from lack of inspiration - it seems it is build to be "just enough" of an upgrade and not to threaten Samsung's better devices. Compared to A57, it is just-so lower in raw performance, battery endurance and charging speed, screen brightness and ultrawide performance. Problem is, with A56 being so much better, that 1 year old phone is a cheaper and an obvious choice over the A37. And so are midrangers from Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo and Nothing. Samsung is betting their 6 year long OS support policy combined with global service, advanced AI integration and well developed ecosystem will carry A37 to "just enough" sales numbers.

PROs
well built, all-day (sub-30hr) endurance from a 5000mAh lithium battery with >70min 45W charging, IP68 protection, good 50MP 23mm OIS PDAF main camera imaging, average 12MP 25mm selfie, 6 years of stabile and AI feature rich OneUI
CONs
very wide, big screen bezels, the Exynos 1480 with UFS 3.1 may not be able to carry 6 years of OS updates, could-be-better sub-1300nits brightness sub-400 pixel density 120Hz Super AMOLED screen with no HDR and minimal refresh rate variability, below-par and sans-AF 8MP 16mm ultrawide + 8MP 25mm macro performance, poor video performance (main camera is okay), no expandable memory or desktop replacement functionality, slow USB-C 2.0 port

Both phones here were scored by me, using the same ten categories, with no ads, sponsorships, or manufacturer relationships — this comparison is as objective and honest as it gets.

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