Samsung’s latest mid-ranger, the Galaxy M35 5G, is here, packed with an AMOLED display, a huge 6,000mAh battery, and a 50MP OIS camera—all for under Rs 25,000. But it’s not the only contender in this price range. If you’ve been checking out mid-range options, you’ve probably come across Nothing’s Phone (2a) too.
Stuck between the two? If you’re trying to decide between the Galaxy M35 and the Phone (2a), you’re in the right place. We’ve spent time with both and here’s our comparison of both phones to find the right option.
Samsung Galaxy M35 vs Nothing Phone (2a): Price in India
Model
Configuration
Price
Samsung Galaxy M35 5G
6GB+128GB
Rs 19,999
8GB+128GB
Rs 21,999
8GB+256GB
Rs 24,999
Nothing Phone (2a)
8GB + 128GB
Rs 23,999
8GB + 256GB
Rs 25,999
If you’re sticking to a strict budget and don’t want to go over Rs 20,000, then the Galaxy M35 is your only choice. But if you’re willing to spend up to Rs 25,000, the Galaxy M35 and Phone (2a) are worth considering, even though the Phone (2a) is a bit pricier than the Galaxy M35.
Samsung Galaxy M35 vs Nothing Phone (2a): Design
Specs
Samsung Galaxy M35
Nothing Phone (2a)
Dimensions
Height: 162.3 mm
Width: 78.6 mm
Thickness: 9.1 mm
Height: 161.74 mm
Width: 76.32 mm
Thickness: 8.55 mm
Weight
222 grams
The Galaxy M35 comes in three colour options: Moonlight Blue, Daybreak Blue, and Thunder Grey. We got our hands on the Light Blue variant, which features a grid pattern on the back. The camera module is reminiscent of the Galaxy S24 series. It has a glossy back panel but it had us worried about scratches if used without a case.
Unlike many phones that aim for a lighter feel, the Galaxy M35 is quite chunky and heavy, thanks to the Galaxy M35’s hefty 6,000mAh battery.
On the other hand, Nothing needs no introduction when it comes to designs. The Phone (2a) is one of the most unique-looking devices with its iconic transparent back and LED lights around the camera island.
The Phone (2a) retains the distinctive pillowed rear glass design of the Phone (2) but with a slightly flatter profile. While it shares the same flat front as the Phone (1), the curved glass around the camera module adds a touch of elegance.
So, the choice is pretty clear. If you want a smartphone that stands out from the crowd, the Phone (2a) is your go-to option. But if you prefer a more traditional look, the Galaxy M35 isn’t a bad choice.
Samsung Galaxy M35 vs Nothing Phone (2a): Display
Specs
Samsung Galaxy M35
Nothing Phone (2a)
Display Type
Super AMOLED
Flexible AMOLED
Screen Size
6.6-inch (16.76 cm)
6.7-inch (17.02 cm)
Resolution
1080×2340 px (FHD+)
1084×2412 px (FHD+)
Aspect Ratio
19.5:9
20:9
Pixel Density
390 ppi
395 ppi
Samsung is known for its displays, and the Galaxy M35 lives up to that reputation. It features a vibrant Super AMOLED display, though the thick bezels were a bit of a concern at first. However, you’ll quickly get used to them, and they don’t affect the viewing experience.Samsung Galaxy M35
We tested the display by watching some high-quality videos on YouTube, and it delivered accurate and vibrant colours. The 120Hz refresh rate worked smoothly, with no noticeable lag or stutter while scrolling through Instagram. During our testing, it reached a peak brightness of 1,364 nits, surpassing the claimed 1,000 nits. Additionally, it supports Widevine L1, so you can enjoy HDR content on streaming apps without any issues.
Nothing is no slouch in the display department either. The Phone (2a) also delivers accurate and punchy colours, and we had no complaints about the picture quality when watching YouTube videos. It also features an active matrix layer that enhances battery life and picture quality in real-world use.Nothing Phone (2a)
The Phone (2a) offers nearly the same brightness as the Galaxy M35, around 1300 nits, and performs well outdoors without any visibility issues.
So, when it comes to the display, you can’t go wrong with either device. Both have impressive panels that deliver excellent results. However, if thicker bezels bother you, you may want to avoid the Galaxy M35.
Samsung Galaxy M35 vs Nothing Phone (2a): Performance and UI
The Galaxy M35 is powered by the good old Exynos 1380 SoC. It handles daily tasks like social media scrolling, WhatsApp chatting, making calls, and snapping photos. However, when it comes to gaming, the Galaxy M35 struggles a bit.
During our hour-long gaming session, the experience was mixed. On low and max graphics settings, the frame rate hit 60 fps at its peak and dipped to 51 fps at times. Fortunately, there were no major or constant frame drops, so the gameplay remained smooth enough to avoid frustration.
On the other hand, Nothing has chosen the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro SoC for its Phone (2a), and the performance is impressive. It handles daily tasks like social media browsing, emailing, and calling without breaking a sweat.
But in today’s world, almost every smartphone can do that. So, we decided to push it further by editing some videos, and the experience was surprisingly smooth. We edited multiple videos on Vita, and the Phone (2a) didn’t stutter while handling around seven MP4 files shot on the Panasonic Lumix GH5. We also played BGMI on the Phone (2a), and it could achieve 60 fps with smooth + extreme settings.
To give you a clearer picture, we ran popular benchmarking tests like AnTuTu and Geekbench on both devices and here’s how they stacked up:
Nothing Phone 2a
692,449
Samsung Galaxy M35 5G
599,475
AnTuTu Overall benchmark score analysis
Nothing Phone 2a
1,132
Samsung Galaxy M35 5G
1,001
Geekbench single-core benchmark score analysis
Samsung Galaxy M35 5G
2,891
Nothing Phone 2a
2,601
Geekbench multi-core benchmark score analysis
On the software side, the Galaxy M35 runs OneUI 6.1 based on Android 14. While it comes with pre-installed apps like Snapchat, PhonePe, Amazon, Spotify, and Netflix, we didn’t mind since most people would download them anyway.
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Samsung Galaxy M35
Nothing Phone (2a)
The Phone (2a), on the other hand, runs Android 14 out of the box with a minimal yet functional layer of Nothing OS 2.5. The best part? It’s free from any bloatware.
When it comes to software updates, Samsung takes the lead with four years of OS updates and five years of security patches for the Galaxy M35. In comparison, the Phone (2a) offers three years of OS updates and four years of security patches.
Samsung Galaxy M35 vs Nothing Phone (2a): Cameras
Specs
Samsung Galaxy M35
Nothing Phone (2a)
Camera Setup
Triple
Dual
Sensors
50MP f/1.8, Wide Angle, Primary Camera
8MP f/2.2, Ultra-Wide Angle Camera (4.0″ sensor size, 1.12µm pixel size) ,2MP f/2.4, Macro Camera
The Galaxy M35 boasts a triple rear-camera system anchored by a 50MP primary sensor with OIS support. During daylight hours, the camera excels, delivering vivid and detailed images.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Camera Samples
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However, the ultra-wide camera fell short of expectations. We noticed a degree of graininess around the edges, even in well-lit environments. Low-light photography was also a challenge, with images exhibiting noticeable noise, particularly when shooting towards direct light sources.
On the plus side, portrait mode impressed us with its effective background blur, and selfies appeared natural and flattering.
Nothing Phone (2a)
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The Phone (2a) is equipped with a capable 50MP dual camera system featuring OIS and delivers solid image quality. Outdoor shots were sharp and detailed, accurately capturing skin textures. Even at 2x zoom, the photos remained crisp. Similarly, indoor shots under artificial lighting were impressive.
In pitch-dark situations, the primary camera struggles a bit, but it’s still usable, at least for social media. The same goes for selfie shooters. All in all, we have no complaints about the Phone’s optics (2a).
Samsung Galaxy M35 vs Nothing Phone (2a): Battery Life and Charging
The Galaxy M35 comes with a hefty 6,000mAh battery, which led us to expect at least two days of use on a single charge. Surprisingly, even with moderate usage, it only lasted about a day and a half. If you are a heavy users, you’ll likely find yourself needing to charge it daily. Samsung Galaxy M35
On the other hand, the Nothing Phone (2a) has a standard 5,000mAh battery, which comfortably lasts a full day during casual use.
To give you a better idea of their battery performance, we ran the PCMark battery test on both devices and here’s how they compared:
Device
PCMark Battery Test
Samsung Galaxy M35
14 hours 56 minutes
Nothing Phone (2a)
15 hours 40 minutes
As for charging, the Galaxy M35 supports 25W fast charging, while the Phone (2a) goes up to 45W. However, neither device includes a charger in the box, so you’ll need to purchase that separately.
That wraps up our comparison of the Samsung Galaxy M35 and the Nothing Phone (2a). Both are strong contenders with their strengths and weaknesses. If you’re still unsure which one to choose, consider these key points:
Choose the Galaxy M35 if you want a smartphone that lasts more than a day on a single charge and offers all the essentials you’d expect from a 2024 mid-ranger: a quality AMOLED display, a solid camera setup, and extended software support.
Go for the Phone (2a) if you want a smartphone that stands out from the crowd without compromising on performance, camera quality, software, or display.
