Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Nothing Phone (2a)
The Verdict
iPhone 15 Plus delivers a premium flagship experience with Apple's superior A16 Bionic processor, exceptional 2000-nit display brightness, and industry-leading computational photography via its 48MP main camera and Dolby Vision 4K recording. Nothing Phone 2a counters with a larger 5000mAh battery, faster 45W charging, 120Hz refresh rate, and impressive 50MP dual rear cameras with OIS for just $349. Build quality favors iPhone with aluminum and glass versus plastic construction. Performance gap is substantial,A16 Bionic crushes Dimensity 7200 Pro in gaming and apps. However, Nothing Phone 2a offers genuinely excellent value for budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and refresh rate over raw power. iPhone 15 Plus justifies premium pricing through ecosystem, longevity, and processing prowess, making it the better choice for those able to invest.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Plus if…
- →Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- →Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- →48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) if…
- →Distinctive transparent design with Glyph Interface
- →Clean Nothing OS with minimal bloat
- →Solid 50 MP dual camera setup
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
Pros
- Outstanding battery life from large 4383 mAh cell
- Dynamic Island replaces notch on a non-Pro model
- 48 MP main camera is a major upgrade over iPhone 14 Plus
- First USB-C port on a standard Plus model
- Large display great for media consumption
Cons
- Capped at 60Hz with no ProMotion upgrade
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 transfer speeds
- No telephoto camera
- No always-on display
- Bulky and heavy for everyday use
Nothing Phone (2a)
Pros
- Distinctive transparent design with Glyph Interface
- Clean Nothing OS with minimal bloat
- Solid 50 MP dual camera setup
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Plastic build at this price
- No wireless charging
- Only IP54 splash resistance
- Mid-tier Dimensity chipset rather than Snapdragon
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 Plus | Nothing Phone (2a) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 14, Nothing OS 2.5 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 201 g | 190 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Plastic frame, plastic back |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP54 |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Samsung GN9 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/2.2, 114-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4383 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2796 x 1290 | 2412 x 1084 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 + 6x2.0 GHz A510) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 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.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all Nothing products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 15 Plus or the Nothing Phone (2a).