Mid-Range Marvels: OnePlus Nord 3 vs Samsung Galaxy A55 vs Pixel 7a

OnePlus Nord 3

The Nord 3 emerged during July 2023 as a member of OnePlus's successful Nord series representing a strategic advancement beyond its predecessor. This device occupies the competitive mid-range segment where it delivers premium smartphone experiences at an accessible price point. The device perpetuates OnePlus's legacy of delivering balanced performance alongside value by focusing on users who seek smooth operation and quality display instead of top-tier flagship specs. The launch of this device bolstered OnePlus's position within the affordable premium market sector. 

• Display Quality and Performance: The OnePlus Nord 3's 6. 74-inch Fluid AMOLED display delivers 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support for smooth visuals. MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset delivers exceptional gaming performance combined with multitasking capabilities. The optimization features in OxygenOS deliver an enhanced user experience through its responsive navigation controls and app management system. 
• Camera Capabilities: The 50MP primary sensor delivers strong daylight photography but its performance in low-light conditions remains mediocre. The 8MP ultra-wide lens delivers conventional wide-angle photography while the 2MP macro lens meets fundamental close-up requirements. Video recording systems exhibit effective stabilization techniques yet demonstrate restricted dynamic range performance when compared to premium competitors. 
• Battery and Charging: A 5000mAh battery enables most users to operate their devices throughout an entire day without needing a recharge. The device attains its maximum charge capacity in around 35 minutes through 80W fast charging technology. This price category still lacks wireless charging which stands out as a significant omission. 
• Software Support: OxygenOS built upon Android 13 presents an uncluttered user interface while maintaining minimal pre-installed software. OnePlus delivers two Android version updates alongside three years of security patches which aligns with certain competitors yet fails to reach industry leaders' long-term support standards. 
• Value Proposition: Targeted as a mid-range handset with a performance twist, the Nord 3 is all about quality and grunt when it comes to the display and processor. Its camera performance and software support isn’t the best in its class, but there's plenty here to justify the asking price in the face of similarly priced rivals. The camera is a decent option choice for those that what a functional smart camera for smooth operation over top-end imaging.

Samsung Galaxy A55

The Samsung Galaxy A55 was released in March 2024 as a mid-range handset, giving consumers a taste of high performance, camera experience and premium design at a budget-friendly cost. Oh, and it holds its own very well in its segment with robust hardware and Samsung’s well-known software experience.

• Display Quality and Performance: Samsung Galaxy A55 has been featured with a 6.6 inch Super AMOLED screen with a Full HD+ resolution and 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for clear viewing experience and smooth scrolling. Performance of the Exynos 1480 SoC coupled with 8GB RAM makes the multitasking decent and casual gaming good. The display isn’t flagship-grade, but color accuracy and brightness brings up a tough fight in its price category.
• Camera Capabilities Compared: The triple-camera setup comprising a 50MP main OIS sensor, 12MP ultra-wide and 5MP macro camera. Daylight photography is excellent with nice detail and dynamic range, though low-light performance lags behind the likes of the Pixel 7a. The 32MP front-facing camera takes sharp selfies. Video is really only strong to 4K 30 frames per second, and even then doesn't have some of the more advanced stabilization you'll get with more expensive models.
• Battery Life and Charging: Its 5,000mAh battery is enough to get the A55 through a day's worth of moderate use, and then some. But it's wired charging speed is outdated at 25W - compare that with 65W+ rivals - and the phone will take close to 90 minutes to fully charge. There's no wireless charging, which feels like a significant oversight at this cost. Efficiency improvements mitigate this, but power users may be a bit too constrained by charging speeds.
• Software and Update Support: Samsung’s promise includes 4 Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates, the best in the mid-range segment. One UI 6.1 is clean and feature rich with minimal bloatware. Regular updates means the A55 is future proof. But some competitors offer cleaner stock Android experience with the same update period.
• Value for Money Analysis: Priced competitively the A55 excels in display, software and build. But competitors like the OnePlus Nord 3 offer faster charging and better gaming performance at the same price. A55 is good for users who prioritize long term updates and Samsung ecosystem but those who want better hardware value may find alternatives more appealing.

Pixel 7a

Launched in May 2023, the Pixel 7a is Google’s mid-range smartphone that brings flagship features at a lower price. It has the Pixel design, AI-powered software and reliable performance, making it a strong contender in the segment.

• Display Quality and Performance: The 6.1-inch OLED display has vibrant colors and deep blacks with HDR. The 90Hz refresh rate is smooth but not flagship 120Hz. It’s protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and lacks the latest durability upgrades. The Tensor G2 chip handles daily tasks efficiently but struggles with heavy workloads, so it’s better for casual users than power users.
• Camera Capabilities Compared: The 64MP main camera takes detailed shots with great dynamic range, the 13MP ultra-wide lens minimizes distortion. Google’s computational photography is better than similarly priced rivals in night shots and portrait mode. But no optical zoom, you’re forced to use digital zoom which degrades quality. Video recording is 4K/60fps, same as competitors but no advanced stabilization like premium devices.
• Battery Life and Charging: The 4,385mAh battery lasts a full day with moderate use. Power efficiency from the Tensor G2 helps but heavy gaming or video streaming drains it faster. 18W wired charging is slower than many mid-range devices with 30W+ and 7.5W wireless charging is very slow. No charger is included, so users upgrading from older devices will be inconvenienced.
• Software and Update Support: Running on Android 13 with Pixel-exclusive features like Call Screening and Magic Eraser, the software experience is clean and intuitive. Google promises updates until 2026, three Android version upgrades and five years of security patches. This is longer support than most mid-range devices, so the Pixel 7a is future-proof despite its hardware limitations.
• Value for Money Analysis: Priced competitively, the Pixel 7a has best-in-class camera software and long-term updates. But the display refresh rate, charging speed and no telephoto lens is similar to similarly priced alternatives. It’s for users who prioritize software and camera, but those who need faster performance or charging may find better value elsewhere in the mid-range segment.

My opinion 

In my opinion, the OnePlus Nord 3 is the better option of these two phones. It has a better 120Hz AMOLED screen, charges faster at 80W, and performs better with the Dimensity 9000 chip. The Pixel 7a does well with camera processing and software updates, but the Nord 3 gives you more for your money with improved hardware. For most people, its smoother screen, faster charging, and solid performance make it the smarter choice.