ByIn 2025, the midrange smartphone market is packed with options around $500 that blend value and innovation in ways that blow my mind.
The freshly launched Samsung Galaxy A56, Nothing Phone 3a, and iPhone 16e are proof: Performance we couldn’t dream of five years ago is now standard at this price.
As a tech enthusiast who’s binged countless YouTube reviews on these phones, I’m here to break it all down for you. My goal? To help you pick the right mid-budget phone with confidence.
Note: This guide sticks to a pure feature comparison, fueled by what I’ve seen in those videos—no hands-on testing here, but this guide will be enough for you to start comparing.
A Pure Feature Comparison Between Samsung A56 vs. Nothing 3a vs. iPhone 16e
1. Displays: Size, Smoothness, and Trade-offs
| Samsung Galaxy A56 | Nothing Phone 3a | iPhone 16e |
|---|---|---|
| 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,200 nits high brightness mode (1,900 nits peak with Vision Booster) | 6.7-inch OLED, 120Hz, ~1,000 nits | 6.1-inch OLED, 60Hz, 800 nits typical (1,200 nits HDR peak) |
| Protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, big, smooth, excellent outdoor visibility | Quirky Glyph LEDs, vibrant, slightly lower brightness than Samsung | Compact, color-accurate, but 60Hz feels outdated at $599 |
Winner: All of the three phones have a stunning display. But the winner is the Samsung A56. Its size, smoothness, and brightness edge out the pack. Nothing’s a stylish runner-up; Apple’s quality can’t offset that dated refresh rate.
2. Performance: Power for Your Day
| Samsung Galaxy A56 | Nothing Phone 3a | iPhone 16e |
|---|---|---|
| Exynos 1580 (octa-core, 4nm), 8GB/12GB RAM, vapor chamber cooling. Geekbench 6: ~1,353 single-core, ~3,832 multi-core. Great for apps, light gaming (Genshin Impact on medium), and stays cool under pressure—a midrange workhorse. | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, 8GB RAM (12GB possible). Geekbench: ~1,100 single-core, ~3,100 multi-core. Efficient for daily tasks and mid-tier gaming, with no bloat. | A18 chip (4-core GPU), 8GB RAM. Geekbench: ~3,300 single-core, ~8,165 multi-core. Excellent for gaming (Resident Evil Village) and 4K video editing. Optimized for performance. |
Winner: iPhone 16e. Raw horsepower and longevity make it untouchable for power users. Samsung and Nothing hold their own for less demanding folks.
3. Cameras: Snaps That Matter
| Samsung Galaxy A56 | Nothing Phone 3a | iPhone 16e |
|---|---|---|
| 50MP main (1/1.56″ sensor, f/1.8), 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, 12MP selfie. Versatile with AI features like night mode. Macro camera’s too grainy (5MP) for 2025. | 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 32MP selfie. No gimmicks; leaks suggest Google Ultra XDR processing for sharp, natural photos. Selfie camera could be a standout. | 48MP single rear (Fusion lens), 12MP front. One lens, but Apple’s computational magic ensures crisp, high-quality shots. No ultrawide for group photos. |
4. Battery & Charging: Staying Alive
| Samsung Galaxy A56 | Nothing Phone 3a | iPhone 16e |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000mAh, 45W wired charging (50% in ~25 minutes). All-day battery life with a quick top-up—ideal for road warriors. | 5,000mAh, 50W wired charging. Matches Samsung’s stamina but lacks wireless charging. | ~3,500mAh, 20W wired, 15W MagSafe. iOS efficiency extends battery life to a full day, but 20W feels slow—full charge takes about 90 minutes. |
5. Design and Build Quality
| Samsung Galaxy A56 | Nothing Phone 3a | iPhone 16e |
|---|---|---|
| Glass front and back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), brushed aluminum frame. Slimmer at 7.4mm. IP67 water resistance. 45% larger vapor chamber for heat management. | Glass back (Panda Glass), plastic frame. 8.4mm thick with prominent camera bump. No official IP rating. Glyph LEDs add personality. | Glass front and back, aluminum frame. 7.8mm thick. IP68 rating. Minimalist design with flat edges and a single 48MP camera. |
Winner: The Samsung Galaxy A56 offers flagship vibes on a budget. Nothing Phone 3a stands out with its unique style, and iPhone 16e is a safe premium choice for iOS fans.
6. Price, Support,: Bang for Your Buck
- Samsung Galaxy A56 ($499): 6 years of OS/security updates. A safe, reliable bet.
- Nothing Phone 3a (~$379): 3 years of updates. It’s the cheapest option with style to spare.
- iPhone 16e ($599): 6+ years of iOS updates. Priciest, but built to last.
Winner: It depends on you. Nothing’s value shines; Samsung balances cost and support; Apple’s for ecosystem diehards.
Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy What? See Through My Eyes!
Now, you can’t say any of these phones are bad. All provide great performance at a logical price for as per their brand value.
But honestly, if I were to pick one up, I would go for the Nothing Phone 3a. Why? It has a great display, decent performance that I need, great battery, camera, and especially the cool design.
Price is also an aspect for me, the Phone 3a comes at only $379.
My second choice would be the Samsung A56 because it has all the things I need, AND Samsung is especially known for its display. So, the extra money seems worth it.
However, the Apple 16e would not be in my list, though it got the best CUP power compared to the other two, because the display is small, the 60Hz refrase rate seems like a joke at this price and most importantly, I would hate to change the phone every single day.
Furthermore, if you are an iPhone user and considering upgrading to one of these midrange powerhouses, don’t forget the importance of maximizing your iPhone’s resale value.
In 2025, knowing how to boost your device’s resale price can help fund your next purchase, whether you’re eyeing the Samsung Galaxy A56, Nothing Phone 3a, or iPhone 16e.
Understanding how to maintain and sell your iPhone for top dollar will give you more flexibility when it’s time for an upgrade.
