Nothing Phone (2) vs Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Verdict
Nothing Phone (2) delivers impressive value with its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, bright 1600-nit OLED display, and versatile 50MP dual cameras at $599. Samsung Galaxy S23+ costs $400 more but justifies premium positioning through the faster Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, superior Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, IP68 rating, telephoto zoom capability, and 8K video recording. Display brightness edges slightly higher at 1750 nits on Dynamic AMOLED 2X. Battery capacity matches at 4700 mAh with identical 45W charging. Nothing's design aesthetic and software simplicity appeal to minimalists, while Samsung offers more photography versatility and robust durability. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing core performance and design, Nothing Phone (2) represents outstanding value. Those demanding premium features, telephoto capability, and enhanced water resistance should consider the Galaxy S23+.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Nothing Phone (2) if…
- →Iconic transparent design with improved Glyph lights
- →Snappy Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
- →Clean Nothing OS software experience
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23+ if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- →Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- →4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Nothing Phone (2)
Pros
- Iconic transparent design with improved Glyph lights
- Snappy Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
- Clean Nothing OS software experience
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Bright LTPO AMOLED display
Cons
- Only IP54 rated
- No telephoto camera
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- Glyph Interface is more novelty than utility
Samsung Galaxy S23+
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- 4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
- Four years of OS updates and five years of security patches
- Versatile triple camera with 3x optical zoom
Cons
- Only 8 GB RAM at the $999 price point
- FHD+ resolution instead of QHD+ on the 6.6-inch display
- 45W charging is slower than Chinese competitors
- No expandable storage or microSD slot
- Design is very similar to S22+ with minimal visual changes
Full Specifications
| Spec | Nothing Phone (2) | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13, Nothing OS 2.0 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 201 g | 195 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX890 | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.45 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP, f/2.2, 114-degree | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB / 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4700 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W wireless | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | LTPO OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2412 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1600 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X2 + 3x2.75 GHz A710 + 4x1.8 GHz A510) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Qualcomm 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 |
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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