Motorola Moto G45 vs Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: A Detailed Comparison

The Motorola Moto G45 and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus occupy a competitive space in the mid-range smartphone market. The G45 aims for affordability with a Qualcomm chipset, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus pushes for a more premium experience with a Mediatek Dimensity processor and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and faster charging, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the stronger contender. Its Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and 50W charging significantly outperform the Moto G45’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 and 18W charging, justifying the likely price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Moto G45 Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 421, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 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
Announced2024, August 212024, July 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, August 28Available. 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
Dimensions162.7 x 74.6 x 8 mm (6.41 x 2.94 x 0.31 in)161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight183 g (6.46 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning 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 (~84.0% 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 (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 14Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, 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@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76"
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes, 360˚
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-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
Charging18W wired, PD, QC50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min
Type5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBrilliant Blue, Brilliant Green, Viva MagentaBlack, Grey
Models-A142P
Price₹ 10,890€ 269.90 / ₹ 22,599

Motorola Moto G45

  • More affordable price point
  • Reliable Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset
  • Potentially longer software support (Motorola's recent commitment)

  • Slower charging speed (18W)
  • Less powerful processor
  • Likely lower display brightness

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

  • Faster 50W charging
  • More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset
  • Brighter and more vibrant display (1097 nits)

  • Higher price tag
  • Nothing OS may not appeal to all users
  • Potential for software bloat (though Nothing is generally minimal)

Display Comparison

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1097 nits. This is a substantial advantage over what we'd expect from the Moto G45, making the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus far more usable in direct sunlight. While the Moto G45’s panel specifications are currently unknown, its price point suggests a less advanced panel. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brightness also contributes to a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience for media consumption. We anticipate the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will have better color accuracy and viewing angles.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Moto G45, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to have a more sophisticated camera system, leveraging the processing power of the Dimensity 7350 Pro. Image processing algorithms benefit greatly from a powerful chipset. We can assume the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will deliver better low-light performance and more detailed images. The Moto G45 will likely focus on providing adequate image quality for social media sharing, but won't compete with the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus in terms of dynamic range or detail.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro, built on a more efficient 4nm process, featuring a more powerful CPU configuration with 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores. This contrasts with the Moto G45’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6nm) and its 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 cores. The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s architecture translates to noticeably faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. While both phones feature 6x2.0 GHz cores for efficiency, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will likely exhibit superior sustained performance due to the 4nm node’s improved thermal characteristics, reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus shines in the battery and charging department. Its 50W wired charging capability allows for a 50% charge in just 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes – a significant time saving compared to the Moto G45’s 18W charging. While the Moto G45’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s active use score of 16:34h demonstrates excellent battery life. The faster charging speed of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus mitigates any potential concerns about battery capacity, offering a more convenient user experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Moto G45 if you need a reliable, budget-friendly smartphone for everyday tasks and aren't heavily reliant on demanding applications or gaming. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize a smoother user experience, faster charging speeds, and a brighter display, and are willing to spend a bit more for those enhancements.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus prone to overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7350 Pro, built on a 4nm process, is generally efficient and manages heat well. While some throttling is inevitable during extended gaming, the 4nm node and Nothing’s thermal design should keep temperatures within acceptable limits for sustained performance. It's less likely to throttle than the 6nm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 in the Moto G45.
❓ How does the 18W charging on the Motorola Moto G45 compare to the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus in real-world usage?
The difference is substantial. 18W charging will take significantly longer to fully charge the Moto G45, potentially over two hours. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging can reach 100% in under an hour, offering a much more convenient top-up experience, especially for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
❓ Does the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus support features like HDR10+ for enhanced video playback?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, Nothing typically includes support for HDR10+ on their displays to provide a richer and more immersive viewing experience. This is likely the case with the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, further enhancing its media consumption capabilities compared to the Moto G45.