Motorola Edge 50 Neo vs. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Motorola Edge 50 Neo and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus are two compelling contenders. The Edge 50 Neo focuses on a balanced experience with fast charging, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus prioritizes extended battery life and a slightly more powerful chipset. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the winner. Its significantly longer active use score (16:34h vs 13:29h) and efficient chipset outweigh the Edge 50 Neo’s brighter display and faster wired charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge 50 Neo Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 661, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, August 292024, July 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, August 29Available. Released 2024, August 03
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, silicone polymer (eco leather) backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions154.1 x 71.2 x 8.1 mm (6.07 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight171 g (6.03 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1200 x 2670 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 97.5 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO P-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 3000 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm)
GPUMali-G615 MC2Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 14, up to 5 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.0, 73mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76"
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps4K@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes, 360˚
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging68W wired 15W wireless50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min
Type4310 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsNautical Blue, Latte, Grisaille, Poinciana, Mocha MousseBlack, Grey
ModelsXT2409-1A142P
Price€ 240.02 / $ 315.00 / £ 225.39 / ₹ 22,490€ 269.90 / ₹ 22,599
EU LABEL
Battery50:44h endurance, 1200 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass B (180 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Motorola Edge 50 Neo

  • Brighter display for outdoor use
  • Faster 68W wired charging
  • Wireless charging support

  • Shorter battery life in active use
  • Less powerful CPU compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

  • Superior battery life for all-day use
  • More powerful Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset
  • Efficient power management

  • Lower peak display brightness
  • Slower wired charging compared to Motorola

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 50 Neo boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1437 nits, compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 1097 nits. This difference is noticeable in direct sunlight, making the Edge 50 Neo more readable outdoors. While both utilize OLED panels, the lack of LTPO technology in either phone means adaptive refresh rates aren’t as power-efficient as on flagship devices. The Edge 50 Neo’s higher brightness comes at the cost of potentially slightly reduced battery life, as maintaining that level requires more power. Color accuracy is likely similar, given both brands target a wide color gamut, but independent testing would be needed to confirm.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus may prioritize camera quality slightly more. Both phones likely feature a primary camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), crucial for sharp photos and stable videos. The aperture of the main lens will be a key differentiator; a wider aperture (lower f-number) allows more light, improving low-light performance. Ignoring the typical 2MP macro lenses found on both devices, the quality of the ultrawide and potentially a telephoto lens (if present) will be critical. Image processing algorithms will also play a significant role in the final image quality.

Performance

Both phones are powered by Mediatek Dimensity chips fabricated on a 4nm process, ensuring good efficiency. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus utilizes the Dimensity 7350 Pro, featuring a faster CPU configuration with 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores versus the Edge 50 Neo’s 4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores. This translates to a performance edge for the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus in CPU-intensive tasks. The Edge 50 Neo’s GPU is likely comparable, but the 7350 Pro’s overall system-on-chip (SoC) efficiency contributes to its longer battery life. Both phones likely feature LPDDR5x RAM, but the specific speed and configuration could impact real-world performance.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus clearly wins in battery endurance. Its active use score of 16:34h significantly surpasses the Motorola Edge 50 Neo’s 13:29h. While the Edge 50 Neo offers faster 68W wired charging (and 15W wireless), the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging still reaches 100% in a reasonable 56 minutes. The Edge 50 Neo’s battery endurance rating of 50:44h suggests a larger battery capacity, but the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s efficiency in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus effectively offsets this, delivering superior real-world battery life. The Edge 50 Neo’s 1200 charge cycles suggest a focus on long-term battery health.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge 50 Neo if you need a brighter display for outdoor visibility and value the convenience of 68W wired and 15W wireless charging. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize maximizing battery life for heavy daily use, and appreciate a clean software experience with a focus on efficiency. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better choice for users who frequently travel or have limited access to power outlets.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions?
While the 4nm process helps with thermal efficiency, the Dimensity 7350 Pro is a more powerful chip than the 7300. Expect some heat buildup during prolonged gaming, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s thermal management system should prevent significant throttling. The larger surface area of the phone also aids in heat dissipation.
❓ How does the 68W charging on the Motorola Edge 50 Neo compare to real-world charging speeds?
While 68W sounds impressive, charging speeds aren't linear. The Motorola Edge 50 Neo will likely charge from 0-50% in around 20-25 minutes, and a full charge will take closer to 45-50 minutes. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging, while slower on paper, is still quite fast and provides a convenient top-up option.
❓ Is the lack of an official IP rating on either phone a concern?
Both phones lack an official IP rating for water and dust resistance. While they likely have some level of splash resistance, it's best to avoid exposing them to significant moisture or dust. Users prone to accidents or working in harsh environments should consider a phone with a higher IP rating.