Motorola Moto G (2023) vs Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: A Detailed Comparison

The Motorola Moto G (2023) represents a compelling entry point into the world of 5G smartphones, prioritizing affordability. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus enters the arena with a more powerful chipset and a focus on a refined user experience, demanding a higher price. This comparison dissects the core differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and fast charging, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and 50W charging significantly outperform the Moto G (2023)'s Snapdragon 480+ and 15W charging, justifying the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G (2023) Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
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, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 711, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands2, 5, 7, 12, 14, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 78 SA/NSA1, 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
Announced2023, May 022024, July 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, May 25Available. Released 2024, August 03
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164 x 75 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.95 x 0.33 in)161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
 Water-repellent design-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 13, planned upgrade to Android 14Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro)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
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76"
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes, 360˚
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging15W wired50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsInk BlueBlack, Grey
ModelsXT2313A142P
Price$ 56.55€ 269.90 / ₹ 22,599

Motorola Moto G (2023)

  • Affordable 5G connectivity
  • Reliable Qualcomm chipset
  • Simple and straightforward software experience

  • Slow 15W charging
  • Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
  • Likely lower display quality

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

  • Fast 50W charging
  • Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset
  • Bright and vibrant display (1097 nits)
  • Long battery life (16:34h active use)

  • Higher price point
  • Nothing OS may not appeal to all users
  • Potential for software bugs (common with newer OS versions)

Display Comparison

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1097 nits, compared to an assumed lower brightness on the Moto G (2023) given its market positioning. While the Moto G (2023)'s panel specifications are not provided, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s high brightness ensures excellent visibility outdoors. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely utilizes an AMOLED panel, offering superior contrast and color accuracy compared to the Moto G (2023)'s likely LCD panel. Bezels are expected to be slimmer on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Moto G (2023), a direct comparison is limited. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to have a more sophisticated camera system, benefiting from the processing power of the Dimensity 7350 Pro. While both phones likely feature multiple rear cameras, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s image processing algorithms will likely deliver superior dynamic range and detail. The Moto G (2023) likely relies on software optimizations to compensate for a less powerful ISP, potentially resulting in softer images and less effective low-light performance.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Motorola Moto G (2023) utilizes the Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm), while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm). The Dimensity 7350 Pro, with its Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 3.0 GHz, offers a substantial performance leap over the Snapdragon 480+'s Kryo 460 cores at 2.2 GHz. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 7350 Pro also translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will handle demanding games and applications with greater ease and consistency.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates a clear advantage in charging speed, achieving 50% charge in just 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes with its 50W wired charging. The Moto G (2023)'s 15W charging is considerably slower. While the Moto G (2023)'s battery capacity isn't specified, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus achieves an impressive 16:34h of active use, suggesting efficient power management alongside its larger battery. This translates to a significantly reduced downtime for the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, a crucial benefit for users who rely heavily on their smartphones.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G (2023) if you need a reliably functional 5G smartphone on a strict budget and aren't demanding in terms of gaming or intensive multitasking. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, faster charging, and a brighter display, and are willing to spend more for those benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions?
While the 4nm process helps with efficiency, the Dimensity 7350 Pro is a powerful chip. Expect some warmth during prolonged gaming, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s thermal management system is designed to prevent significant throttling, maintaining consistent performance for longer periods compared to the Snapdragon 480+.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Motorola Moto G (2023) truly inconvenient for daily use?
Yes, 15W charging is considerably slower than the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. Expect to spend several hours fully charging the Moto G (2023), making it less ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery throughout the day.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Nothing OS and Motorola's My UX?
Nothing OS offers a cleaner, more minimalist aesthetic with unique design elements, while Motorola's My UX provides a near-stock Android experience with a few added features. Nothing OS is known for its glyph interface and customization options, while My UX prioritizes simplicity and ease of use.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 480+ 5G in the Moto G (2023) struggle with multitasking or running multiple apps simultaneously?
The Snapdragon 480+ 5G is a capable chip for basic tasks, but it may exhibit slowdowns when handling numerous apps or demanding multitasking scenarios. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s Dimensity 7350 Pro offers significantly better multitasking performance due to its more powerful CPU and GPU.