Nothing Phone (3a) Lite vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite (2026) runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $249 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 52/100 (a 32-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 50 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,515,964 vs 884,207); the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is noticeably lighter (199g vs 214g).
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Lighter: 199g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $249 vs $1299
- Better portability (56/100 vs 51/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3515964 vs 884207
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 1011
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 2813
- Faster charging: 60W vs 45W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 55/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 35/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 48/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 79/100)
- Higher value score: 76/100 vs 58/100
Comparing the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 32 points higher (84/100 vs 52/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 55/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 35/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 48/100). In the "value for money" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (76/100 vs 58/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite (96/100 vs 55/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite (86/100 vs 35/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 48/100). In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is a bit better (56/100 vs 51/100). In the "value for money" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite (76/100 vs 58/100).
| Specification | Nothing Phone (3a) Lite | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 884207 | 3515964 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1011 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 2813 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2392x1080 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 16 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP54 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 164.0×78.0×8.3 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 199 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $249 | $1299 |
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 16MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2392x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Nothing Phone (3a) Lite
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
We compared Nothing Phone (3a) Lite and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Nothing Phone (3a) Lite by 74.9% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $1050. Nothing Phone (3a) Lite was $1050 cheaper at launch.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite (96/100 vs 55/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 79/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite (86/100 vs 35/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 48/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is a bit better (56/100 vs 51/100).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite (76/100 vs 58/100).
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite by 32 points (84/100 vs 52/100).
What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite has a MobileRank rating of 52/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 35/100).
Which is more powerful: the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 55/100).
Should you choose the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is a better fit for everyday use. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.