Nothing Phone (2a) vs Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Verdict
Nothing Phone 2a delivers impressive value with a vibrant 6.7-inch AMOLED display, capable 50MP main camera with OIS, and solid MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro performance at just $349. Samsung Galaxy S23+ commands triple the price through flagship credentials: superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, brighter 1750-nit display, telephoto lens with 3x zoom, 8K video recording, and premium build with Gorilla Glass Victus 2. While the Nothing excels in screen real estate and value proposition, the S23+ justifies premium pricing with significantly faster performance, more versatile camera system, wireless charging, and superior durability rated IP68 versus IP54. For budget-conscious users prioritizing everyday performance and display quality, the 2a is excellent. Professionals and power users benefiting from teleportography and processing speed should invest in the S23+.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) if…
- →Distinctive transparent design with Glyph Interface
- →Clean Nothing OS with minimal bloat
- →Solid 50 MP dual camera setup
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 (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
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 (2a) | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14, Nothing OS 2.5 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 190 g | 195 g |
| Material | Plastic frame, plastic back | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Samsung GN9 | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 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 | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2412 x 1084 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 + 6x2.0 GHz A510) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Mali-G610 MC4 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro | 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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