Nothing Phone (2a) vs Samsung Galaxy S25
Side-by-side specifications, scores and verdict.
Quick Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy S25 dominates this matchup despite costing 2.3x more. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite processor delivers superior performance with faster CPU cores and Adreno 830 GPU, while the Dynamic AMOLED 2X display reaches 2600 nits versus the Nothing Phone's 1300 nits—a significant advantage for outdoor visibility. Camera capabilities strongly favor Samsung: 8K video recording, optical telephoto lens, and superior main sensor (f/1.8 vs f/1.88) outclass Nothing's approach. Battery life favors Nothing with 5000mAh versus 4000mAh, though the Galaxy charges faster and includes wireless charging. Build quality distinctly differs—Samsung offers IP68 water resistance and premium materials (aluminum/Gorilla Glass) versus Nothing's plastic construction with IP54 rating. For budget-conscious buyers seeking solid specs, the Nothing Phone 2a delivers excellent value with a vibrant AMOLED display and capable mid-range performance. However, Samsung's premium features, processing power, and camera system justify its price for demanding users. Choose Nothing for value; choose Samsung for flagship performance.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Nothing Phone (2a) | Samsung Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14, Nothing OS 2.5 | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 190 g | 162 g |
| Material | Plastic frame, plastic back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Samsung GN9 | 50 MP, f/1.8, 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 3x optical |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB / 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W Qi2 |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2412 x 1084 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 2600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 + 6x2.0 GHz A510) | Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) |
| GPU | Mali-G610 MC4 | Adreno 830 |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
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 S25
Pros
- Compact and pocketable flagship
- Same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the Ultra model
- 12 GB RAM upgraded from prior generation
- Excellent 120Hz AMOLED display
- Long 7-year software support promise
Cons
- Small 4000 mAh battery limits endurance
- Slow 25W charging
- 1080p resolution instead of QHD
- No major camera hardware upgrades
Related Comparisons
Explore more in phones, see all Nothing products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Nothing Phone (2a) or the Samsung Galaxy S25.