Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) vs Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone SE 3rd generation offers flagship performance through the A15 Bionic chip in a compact 4.7-inch form factor, though it's hampered by a small 1334x750 IPS LCD display and modest 2018 mAh battery. Nothing Phone 2a Plus counters with a large 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen (1300 nits), dual 50MP cameras with OIS, and a capacious 5000 mAh battery supporting 50W charging. Performance-wise, the A15 Bionic handily surpasses the Dimensity 7350 Pro, delivering superior app speeds and gaming. However, the iPhone SE's 4GB RAM feels restrictive for multitasking compared to the Nothing's 8GB/12GB options. Nothing's lack of wireless charging and lower IP54 rating are notable drawbacks. At nearly identical prices, the iPhone SE appeals to users prioritizing raw performance and compactness, while the Nothing Phone 2a Plus suits those desiring a modern large display and practical daily battery life. Choose the iPhone SE for iOS and pure speed; select Nothing for screen real estate and contemporary Android features.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) if…
- →Most affordable iPhone with 5G
- →Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- →Compact and lightweight design
Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if…
- →Unique Glyph Interface LEDs for silent notifications and alerts
- →50 MP triple camera system including a strong 50 MP ultrawide
- →Clean, stock-like Nothing OS with fast updates and minimal bloat
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Pros
- Most affordable iPhone with 5G
- Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- Compact and lightweight design
- Touch ID home button
- Long iOS software support
Cons
- Dated design with thick bezels
- Single rear camera
- Small 4.7-inch LCD display
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- Modest battery life
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Pros
- Unique Glyph Interface LEDs for silent notifications and alerts
- 50 MP triple camera system including a strong 50 MP ultrawide
- Clean, stock-like Nothing OS with fast updates and minimal bloat
- 50W fast charging is quick for the 5000 mAh battery
- Premium transparent design stands out in the midrange
Cons
- No wireless charging despite the $399 price
- MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro is less popular with developers
- IP54 splash resistance is below IP68 flagships
- Video limited to 4K@30fps — no 60fps option
- Only 256 GB storage option with no expandable storage
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 15 | Android 14 (Nothing OS 2.6) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 144 g | 190 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Glyph Interface LED back |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP54 |
| Dimensions | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.55 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/1.88, PDAF, OIS, Sony IMX890 |
| Front camera | 7 MP | 50 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | — | 50 MP, f/2.2, Samsung JN1 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2018 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 50W wired |
| Wireless charging | 7.5W Qi | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 4.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 2412 x 1084 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 625 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic | MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 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 SE (3rd generation) or the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.