Compare / Phone (2a) vs Galaxy A26
Nothing Phone (2a) vs Samsung Galaxy A26 5G (2026): Which Should You Buy?
By Alex Turner • Lead Hardware Reviewer • Updated August 17, 2026
This is the closest matchup in our database: the Nothing Phone (2a) at £319 against the Samsung Galaxy A26 5G at £249. Both deliver 120Hz AMOLED screens and 5000mAh batteries for well under £350 — but they take very different approaches.
Phone (2a) vs Galaxy A26: Full Specifications
| Nothing Phone (2a) | Samsung Galaxy A26 5G | |
| Price (RRP) | £319 | £249 |
| Display | 6.7-inch Flexible AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ | 6.5-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz, FHD+ |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4nm) | Samsung Exynos 1380 Octa-Core (5nm) |
| Camera | 50MP Main (OIS) + 50MP Ultrawide | 50MP Main (OIS) + 8MP Ultrawide + 2MP Macro |
| Battery & Charging | 5000 mAh (45W Wired Charging) | 5000 mAh (25W Wired Charging) |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 128GB / 256GB (MicroSD up to 1TB) |
| Software & Updates | Android 14 (Nothing OS 2.5), 3 Years OS Updates | Android 15 (One UI 7), 4 Years OS Updates |
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm | 161.5 x 77.2 x 8.0 mm |
| Weight | 190g | 192g |
| Our Rating | 8.5 / 10 | 8.4 / 10 |
Display & Design
Nothing’s 6.7-inch flexible AMOLED with HDR10+ is the more impressive panel, and the transparent Glyph design stands out in a sea of identical slabs. Samsung’s 6.5-inch Super AMOLED is no slouch and slightly more compact. Both run at 120Hz, so day-to-day smoothness is a wash.
Performance & Cameras
MediaTek’s Dimensity 7200 Pro has the edge over Samsung’s Exynos 1380 in both benchmarks and sustained performance, though neither will trouble a flagship. The camera comparison is more lopsided than the headline numbers suggest: both have 50MP OIS main sensors, but Nothing pairs it with a second 50MP ultrawide while Samsung makes do with 8MP — wide shots from the (2a) are simply better.
Battery, Value & Verdict
Identical 5000mAh capacities, very different charging: the Phone (2a)’s 45W wired charging is almost twice as quick as the A26’s 25W. Samsung claws back ground on longevity (4 years of OS updates vs 3) and storage flexibility with its microSD slot. If the £70 difference doesn’t hurt, the Nothing is the better phone; if it does, the A26 remains excellent value.
Choose the Nothing Phone (2a) if you want the bigger screen, much faster charging, and a proper ultrawide camera.
Check Phone (2a) price on Amazon →Choose the Samsung Galaxy A26 5G if you want the lowest price, expandable storage, and the longer update promise.
Check Galaxy A26 price on Amazon →We may earn a commission from links on this page. Prices correct at time of writing.
Read our full reviews: Nothing Phone (2a) review · Samsung Galaxy A26 5G review
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