The Motorola Moto G15 and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Moto G15 prioritizes longevity with a massive battery, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus aims for a more balanced experience with a faster processor and brighter display. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day (and multi-day) battery life, the Motorola Moto G15 is the clear winner. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus delivers a significantly smoother and more responsive experience thanks to its more modern chipset and faster charging, making it ideal for power users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, December 17 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, February 12 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, silicone polymer back (eco leather) | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76 x 8.2 mm (6.52 x 2.99 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 + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 Extreme (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 4GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide) | 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 |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5200 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gravity Grey, Iguana Green, Sunrise Orange, Sea Blue, Glacier Blue | Black, Grey |
| Models | XT2521-3 | A142P |
| Price | € 94.90 / $ 121.95 / £ 113.83 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 57:13h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class A | - |
| Free fall | Class B (180 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Motorola Moto G15
- Exceptional battery life (57:13h endurance)
- Long-term battery health with 1000 charge cycles
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Slower processor (Helio G81 Extreme)
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Likely lower display brightness and quality
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Faster and more efficient processor (Dimensity 7350 Pro)
- Brighter display (1097 nits)
- Significantly faster charging (50W)
- Shorter battery life (16:34h active use)
- Potentially higher price
- May experience more heat under heavy load
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 G15 (spec not provided). This brightness advantage translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While the Moto G15’s panel technology isn’t specified, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely utilizes a higher refresh rate panel, contributing to smoother scrolling and animations. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s display is a clear advantage for media consumption and outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Moto G15, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely benefits from a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Dimensity 7350 Pro. While sensor size and aperture are unknown for both, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s chipset allows for more sophisticated image processing, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. It's reasonable to assume the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will offer a more versatile and capable camera system.
Performance
The chipset is where the two phones diverge dramatically. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro, built on a 4nm process, offers a substantial performance leap over the Moto G15’s Mediatek Helio G81 Extreme (12nm). The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s Cortex-A715 cores, clocked at 3.0 GHz, are significantly more powerful than the G81’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 4nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Moto G15 will handle everyday tasks adequately, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides a noticeably more fluid and responsive experience.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G15’s standout feature is its exceptional battery endurance, rated at 57:13h. This is significantly longer than the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s active use score of 16:34h. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compensates with much faster charging: 50W wired, achieving 50% charge in 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes, compared to the Moto G15’s slower 18W charging. The Moto G15’s 1000 charge cycle rating suggests a focus on long-term battery health, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s faster charging minimizes downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G15 if you need exceptional battery life and are willing to compromise on processing power and display quality. This phone is perfect for travelers, commuters, or anyone who frequently finds themselves away from a charger. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer a more responsive user experience, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and faster charging, even if it means sacrificing some battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio G81 in the Moto G15 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Helio G81 is a budget-focused chipset. While it can run less demanding games, Genshin Impact and other graphically intensive titles will likely require significant settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compare to other phones with similar wattage?
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging is relatively efficient. Achieving 50% charge in 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes is competitive with other phones utilizing similar charging technology. However, charging speeds can vary based on the charger and cable used, so using the included adapter is recommended.
❓ Is the difference in battery life between the Moto G15 and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The Moto G15’s 57:13h endurance is exceptional. Users can realistically expect to get two or even three days of use on a single charge with moderate usage. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, while still offering a full day of use, will likely require daily charging for heavier users.
❓ Will the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus get noticeably warm during prolonged use, like video recording or gaming?
The Dimensity 7350 Pro is a relatively efficient chip, but it can generate heat under sustained load. While the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely has thermal management features, users may experience some warmth during extended gaming or video recording sessions. This is normal and shouldn't cause performance issues unless throttling occurs.
