OnePlus Nord N30 vs Samsung Galaxy A56
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy A56 delivers superior overall value despite its $150 premium over the Nord N30. Display quality heavily favors Samsung with its Super AMOLED panel reaching 1800 nits brightness versus the Nord's 680-nit IPS LCD, providing noticeably better contrast and color accuracy. Camera performance strongly favors the A56, featuring a 50MP main sensor with OIS, proper ultrawide at 12MP, and telephoto capability compared to the Nord's basic 108MP sensor with depth-only secondary lens. Performance is comparable with both using octa-core processors, though the Exynos 1580 edges out the Snapdragon 695 marginally. Battery capacity matches at 5000mAh, but Samsung's IP67 rating substantially exceeds the Nord's IP54 for better water resistance. Software advantage goes to Samsung with Android 15 versus Android 13, plus NFC support and Wi-Fi 6. For users prioritizing display quality, camera versatility, and durability, the Galaxy A56 justifies its higher price. The Nord N30 remains excellent for budget-conscious buyers seeking 120Hz refresh rates and fast charging, but Samsung's overall package is more comprehensive.
Who Should Buy
Buy the OnePlus Nord N30 if…
- →108 MP main camera for high-resolution shots
- →50W charging is fast for the budget tier
- →5G connectivity at entry-level price
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A56 if…
- →Six generations of OS updates — longest support in the mid-range
- →IP67 water resistance is rare at this price
- →Bright 120Hz Super AMOLED display looks great outdoors
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
OnePlus Nord N30
Pros
- 108 MP main camera for high-resolution shots
- 50W charging is fast for the budget tier
- 5G connectivity at entry-level price
- Large 6.72-inch display
- Solid battery life from 5000 mAh
Cons
- IPS LCD can't match AMOLED contrast or color
- No NFC for contactless payments
- Depth sensor barely useful as ultrawide replacement
- Snapdragon 695 shows its limits in demanding apps
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy A56
Pros
- Six generations of OS updates — longest support in the mid-range
- IP67 water resistance is rare at this price
- Bright 120Hz Super AMOLED display looks great outdoors
- 45W fast charging is a welcome upgrade over the A55
- Clean One UI 7 software with Galaxy AI features
Cons
- Exynos 1580 is slower than Snapdragon competitors at this price
- No telephoto — only a 5MP macro camera
- Plastic frame feels less premium than glass rivals
- No wireless charging
Full Specifications
| Spec | OnePlus Nord N30 | Samsung Galaxy A56 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (OxygenOS 13.1) | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 193 g | 197 g |
| Material | Plastic back and frame | Plastic frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 165.5 x 76.0 x 8.3 mm | 162.9 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 108 MP, f/1.75 | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 2 MP, f/2.4 (depth) | 12 MP, f/2.2, 123-degree |
| Telephoto | — | 5 MP, f/2.4, macro |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 50W SuperVOOC wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.72 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 680 | 1800 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Xclipse 540 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 | Samsung Exynos 1580 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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