Nothing Phone (2a) Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S22
The Verdict
Nothing Phone 2a Plus offers remarkable value at $399, packing a 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, 5000mAh battery with 50W charging, and capable MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro performance. Its dual 50MP camera setup (main and ultrawide) with OIS handles most shooting scenarios well, though 4K is limited to 30fps. The design stands out with the iconic Glyph LED interface, and IP54 protection covers daily use. Samsung Galaxy S22 costs double at $799 but delivers flagship credentials: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, superior 8K video recording, optical 3x zoom telephoto, and IP68 water resistance rated deeper. Its 6.1-inch display feels more premium with Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, though both hit 1300 nits. Battery capacity favors Nothing (5000mAh vs 3700mAh), giving 2a Plus real longevity despite less powerful hardware. The S22 includes wireless charging and faster USB 3.2, missing from Nothing's offering. For everyday performance, the 2a Plus feels snappier day-to-day thanks to better battery management, while the S22 excels with professional video and zoom photography. Budget-conscious buyers get tremendous value with Nothing; those prioritizing camera versatility and proven flagship performance justify Samsung's premium.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S22 if…
- →Compact flagship with 6.1-inch 120Hz AMOLED
- →Triple camera with 3x telephoto
- →Lightweight at 167 g
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Samsung Galaxy S22
Pros
- Compact flagship with 6.1-inch 120Hz AMOLED
- Triple camera with 3x telephoto
- Lightweight at 167 g
- Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection
- Four years of OS updates from Samsung
Cons
- Small 3700 mAh battery with mediocre endurance
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 runs hot
- Slow 25W charging
- No microSD card slot
- No charger in the box
Full Specifications
| Spec | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Samsung Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (Nothing OS 2.6) | Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 190 g | 167 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Glyph Interface LED back | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.55 mm | 146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, PDAF, OIS, Sony IMX890 | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 50 MP, f/2.2 | 10 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP, f/2.2, Samsung JN1 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB / 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 3700 mAh |
| Charging | 50W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2412 x 1084 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz + 3x2.5 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Mali-G610 MC4 | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
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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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