Motorola Edge (2023) vs. Nothing Phone (2): A Detailed Comparison

The Motorola Edge (2023) and Nothing Phone (2) represent compelling options in a crowded mid-to-high range smartphone market. The Motorola focuses on delivering a solid all-around experience at a competitive price, while the Nothing Phone (2) aims to disrupt with its unique design and emphasis on software experience. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Nothing Phone (2) emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides a significant performance advantage, coupled with excellent battery life (14:21h active use). While the Motorola Edge (2023) offers respectable specs, the Nothing Phone (2)'s superior processing power and refined software experience justify the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge (2023) Nothing Phone (2)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, October 112023, July 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, October 11Available. Released 2023, July 17
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, silicone polymer back (eco leather)Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.4 x 72 x 7.6 mm (6.24 x 2.83 x 0.30 in)162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm (6.38 x 3.01 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight168 g (5.93 oz)201.2 g (7.09 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1920Hz PWM, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 1600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G610 MC3Adreno 730
OSAndroid 13, planned upgrade to Android 14Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.4, (wide), 1/1.5", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, HDR, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, live HDR, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1), NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/k/v/r, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging68W wired 15W wireless45W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC4, 100% in 55 min 15W wireless, 100% in 130 min 5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4400 mAhLi-Ion 4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsEclipse BlackWhite, Dark Gray
Models-A065
Price$ 189.95$ 379.99 / £ 370.00

Motorola Edge (2023)

  • Potentially more affordable price
  • Clean, near-stock Android experience
  • Faster wired charging (68W)

  • Less powerful chipset (Dimensity 7030)
  • Likely inferior camera performance
  • Unspecified battery capacity and display details

Nothing Phone (2)

  • Flagship-level performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Excellent battery life (14:21h active use)
  • Brighter display (998 nits)

  • Higher price point
  • Slower wired charging than Motorola (45W)
  • Unique design may not appeal to everyone

Display Comparison

The Nothing Phone (2) boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 998 nits, which translates to better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Motorola Edge (2023) (brightness unspecified). While both likely utilize OLED panels, the Nothing Phone (2)'s brightness advantage is a tangible benefit. Details regarding refresh rate and panel technology (LTPO) are missing for the Motorola Edge (2023), but the Nothing Phone (2) is expected to offer a smooth 120Hz experience. Bezels and color accuracy are assumed to be comparable without further data.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited, but the Nothing Phone (2) is expected to offer a more sophisticated camera system. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the Nothing Phone (2)'s image processing capabilities, leveraging the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1's ISP, will likely result in superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Motorola Edge (2023)'s camera performance is likely adequate for everyday use, but it won't match the Nothing Phone (2)'s potential. The presence or absence of OIS is unknown for both devices, but its inclusion on the Nothing Phone (2) would further enhance its photographic capabilities.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nothing Phone (2) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz. This architecture is significantly more powerful than the MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6nm) in the Motorola Edge (2023), which utilizes a Cortex-A78 prime core at 2.5 GHz. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 also offers superior thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Nothing Phone (2) will demonstrably outperform the Motorola Edge (2023) in gaming and demanding applications. RAM specifications are not provided, but the Snapdragon's inherent efficiency will be noticeable.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2) delivers a compelling battery life, achieving 14:21 hours of active use and an endurance rating of 103 hours. While the Motorola Edge (2023)'s battery capacity is unspecified, the Nothing Phone (2)'s superior efficiency and larger battery (assumed) provide a clear advantage. Charging speeds differ significantly: the Motorola Edge (2023) supports 68W wired charging and 15W wireless, while the Nothing Phone (2) offers 45W wired (with PD3.0, PPS, QC4 support, reaching 100% in 55 minutes) and 15W wireless (100% in 130 minutes), plus 5W reverse wireless charging. The Motorola Edge (2023) charges faster wired, but the Nothing Phone (2)'s broader charging protocol support and reverse wireless charging add convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge (2023) if you prioritize a more affordable price point and a clean, near-stock Android experience without sacrificing everyday performance. Buy the Nothing Phone (2) if you demand flagship-level performance for gaming and demanding applications, value a unique design aesthetic, and appreciate a longer-lasting battery with faster wired charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Nothing Phone (2) get hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a powerful chip, its 4nm process node is relatively efficient. The Nothing Phone (2) incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate heat buildup. While some warmth is expected during prolonged gaming, it's unlikely to experience significant throttling compared to older generation chips.
❓ How does the Nothing Phone (2)'s software experience differ from the Motorola Edge (2023)?
The Nothing Phone (2) runs Nothing OS, a heavily customized Android skin focused on a minimalist aesthetic and unique features like the Glyph Interface. The Motorola Edge (2023) offers a near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware, appealing to users who prefer a cleaner interface. The choice depends on your preference for customization versus simplicity.
❓ Is the 45W charging on the Nothing Phone (2) significantly slower than the 68W on the Motorola Edge (2023)?
While the Motorola Edge (2023) has a higher peak wattage, the Nothing Phone (2)'s 45W charging with support for PD3.0, PPS, and QC4 is still quite fast, reaching 100% in 55 minutes. The difference in real-world charging time is likely minimal, and the Nothing Phone (2)'s broader compatibility is a benefit.