OnePlus Nord 5, Nothing Phone (3a) Pro & Samsung Galaxy A56: The mid-range smartphone market sees new contenders every year, but in 2025, three phones have grabbed all the attention – OnePlus Nord 5, Nothing Phone (3a) Pro, and Samsung Galaxy A56. These teen phones come with different features and styling, but all have the same main goal – delivering a flagship experience without a flagship price.

The OnePlus Nord 5 carries forward its “flagship killer” legacy and leads in performance and fast charging. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is known for its unique design and clean, bloat-free software. And the Samsung Galaxy A56 is known for its brand value, reliable user experience, and long-term software support. Let’s compare these three phones in detail so you can decide which phone is best for you.

Read More: iPhone 14 At 11% Discount on Flipkart with Many Offers, See Price or Features

Read More: iPhone 17 series may be launched on this day; check out if the pricing is lower or higher

Design & Style

These three phones take a very different approach when it comes to design. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro stands out the most with its signature transparent back panel and iconic Glyph interface. It’s not just aesthetic, it’s functional too – light strips come in handy for notifications and alerts. This phone is a bold statement that stands out from the crowd.

The OnePlus Nord 5 is more conventional but has a refined and modern look. Its glass back and plastic frame feel stylish, and new colours like Dry Ice or Marble Sands make it even more premium. The return of the Plus Key is also a bonus for customization lovers.

The Samsung Galaxy A56 comes with a slightly conservative and professional look. It offers a clean and simple design, and is also water and dust resistant with an IP67 rating, which is a big plus point for practical users. The glass body and metallic frame make it feel solid and premium.

Display & Visuals

The battle of display is also quite interesting, as the teen phones shine in their respective styles.

The OnePlus Nord 5 has a 6.83-inch Swift AMOLED display that comes with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1800 nits peak brightness. Scrolling, gaming and the overall experience is smooth and responsive. The screen is easily visible even in sunlight.

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro’s 6.77-inch AMOLED panel comes with a 120Hz refresh rate and 3000 nits peak brightness. This phone leads the way in terms of visual experience – vibrant colours and clear visuals, especially perfect for outdoor use.

Samsung Galaxy A56’s 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display comes with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1900 nits peak brightness. Colours are punchy and blacks are deep, which is the signature of Samsung’s display technology. Peak brightness is a little low but the overall viewing experience is solid.

Performance & Processor

OnePlus Nord 5 clearly leads in performance. With the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, this phone handles gaming and heavy tasks with ease, and the Adreno 735 GPU is great for graphics.

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset. It is perfect for daily tasks and light gaming, but lags behind the Nord 5 in heavy gaming or multitasking.

The Samsung Galaxy A56 comes with the Exynos 1580 chipset, which is capable of daily use and moderate gaming, but lags behind the other two phones in raw power.

Camera Setup

The ten phones take a different philosophy when it comes to camera.

The triple-camera setup of the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is the most versatile. It has a 50MP main sensor, 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide lens. Dedicated telephoto lens gives advantage in zoom and detail. The front camera is also a 50MP high-resolution shooter.

OnePlus Nord 5 has a dual-camera setup – 50MP main and 8MP ultrawide lens. There is no telephoto lens, one has to rely on digital zoom, which can lose detail. The front camera is 50MP which gives strong performance in selfies.

Samsung Galaxy A56 has a 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide and 5MP macro lens. There is no telephoto lens, but optimized image processing and 12MP front camera make it a strong performer.

Features & Tech

The main highlight of the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is the Glyph Interface which comes in handy for notifications and battery status. Nothing OS offers a clean and fluid Android experience, with minimal bloatware.

The OnePlus Nord 5 comes with OxygenOS, which is strong in speed and customization options. It also has an IR blaster, which is useful for controlling home appliances.

The Samsung Galaxy A56 comes with a One UI experience and is durable with an IP67 rating. On-device AI features like “Awesome Intelligence” and “Circle to Search” provide extra usability.

Battery & Charging

OnePlus Nord 5 has a massive 6800mAh battery and 80W SuperVOOC fast charging, which ensures long battery life and quick top-ups.

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro has a 5000mAh battery and 50W charging. It has decent battery and speed, but is slightly behind Nord 5.

Samsung Galaxy A56 comes with a 5000mAh battery and 45W fast charging. Charge

Price & Offer

Pricing factor is crucial in the mid-range segment.

The OnePlus Nord 5 is available for around ₹31,999 and provides the best value for performance and battery.

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a little cheaper, starting at ₹27,270 and makes the price accessible with unique design and features.

The Samsung Galaxy A56 starts at ₹38,999 and is the most expensive, but long-term software and AI features justify the price.

Final Verdict

Your choice depends on your priorities.

If you prefer raw performance, gaming and battery life then the OnePlus Nord 5 is the best. If you want a unique style, clean software experience and versatile camera then pick the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro. And if you want a trusted brand, durability and best-in-class software support, then the Samsung Galaxy A56 is the safest and practical option.