Nothing Phone (1) vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Verdict
Nothing Phone (1) and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra represent vastly different market positions. The Nothing delivers remarkable value at $399 with a 6.55-inch 120Hz OLED display, dual 50MP cameras, 8GB RAM, and Snapdragon 778G+ performance that handles daily tasks smoothly. Its transparent design with Glyph LED notification strips feels genuinely distinctive. However, the Galaxy S23 Ultra at $1199.99 operates in a different realm entirely. Samsung's 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display reaches 2200 nits brightness versus Nothing's 1200, with higher 3088x1440 resolution. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy significantly outperforms the 778G+ in gaming and demanding apps. Critically, Samsung's camera system dominates with a 200MP main sensor, dual optical telephoto zoom (3x and 10x), and 8K video recording at 30fps compared to Nothing's 50MP + 50MP ultrawide setup limited to 4K. The 5000mAh battery with 45W charging versus 4500mAh/33W favors Samsung, plus superior water resistance (IP68 vs IP53) and more durable materials. Nothing Phone (1) excels as a stylish, capable budget flagship that competes admirably against mid-range alternatives. The Galaxy S23 Ultra justifies its premium through flagship performance, superior optics, and cutting-edge features for power users. Recommend Nothing Phone (1) for budget-conscious buyers wanting modern specs and personality. Choose Galaxy S23 Ultra if photography, gaming, and premium materials matter most.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Nothing Phone (1) if…
- →Unique transparent Glyph Interface LED design stands out
- →Clean Nothing OS closely mirrors stock Android
- →Dual 50 MP cameras perform well for the price
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if…
- →200 MP main camera with versatile 3x and 10x telephoto lenses
- →Built-in S Pen with Bluetooth air actions retained
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers class-leading performance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Nothing Phone (1)
Pros
- Unique transparent Glyph Interface LED design stands out
- Clean Nothing OS closely mirrors stock Android
- Dual 50 MP cameras perform well for the price
- Wireless charging included at mid-range pricing
- Solid 120Hz OLED display
Cons
- Snapdragon 778G+ is mid-tier and shows limits
- Glyph notifications are a novelty more than practical
- Only IP53 splash protection
- 33W charging is modest for 2022
- USB-C 2.0 limits transfer speeds
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Pros
- 200 MP main camera with versatile 3x and 10x telephoto lenses
- Built-in S Pen with Bluetooth air actions retained
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers class-leading performance
- Bright 2200-nit display readable in direct sunlight
- IP68 dust and water resistance
Cons
- Very heavy at 234 g, tiring for extended use
- Thick 8.9 mm body compared to rivals
- 45W charging is slow for a $1199 flagship
- No significant camera hardware upgrade over S22 Ultra main sensor
Full Specifications
| Spec | Nothing Phone (1) | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 12 (Nothing OS 1.0) | Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 193.5 g | 234 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, transparent glass back with Glyph LED strips | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP53 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm | 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS (Sony IMX766) | 200 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.45 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP, f/2.2, 114-degree (Samsung JN1) | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP 10x periscope + 10 MP 3x optical |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 33W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W wireless | 15W |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.55 inches | 6.8 inches |
| Type | OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3088 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 2200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
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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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