The Motorola S50 Neo and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus occupy a competitive space in the mid-range market, but cater to slightly different priorities. The S50 Neo aims for affordability with a Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus pushes for a more premium experience with the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the stronger contender. Its significantly faster 50W charging (full charge in 56 minutes) and demonstrably better performance from the Dimensity 7350 Pro outweigh the S50 Neo’s lower price point, offering a more future-proof and enjoyable user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, June 25 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, June 28 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back or silicone polymer (eco leather) back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 73.1 x 7.6 mm (6.37 x 2.88 x 0.30 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 | 171 g or 173 g (6.03 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (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@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical); unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Olivine, Surf, Gray | Black, Grey |
| Models | XT2427-4 | A142P |
| Price | - | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Motorola S50 Neo
- More affordable price point
- Clean Android experience (likely)
- Potentially longer software support (Motorola's recent commitment)
- Significantly slower processor
- Slower charging speed (30W)
- Likely lower display brightness
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Much faster 50W charging
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Higher price tag
- Nothing OS may not appeal to all users
- Potential for software bugs (early adopter risk)
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a clear advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1097 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a scenario where the S50 Neo’s unspecified brightness will likely struggle. While both likely utilize OLED panels, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s higher brightness suggests a more advanced panel capable of richer colors and better contrast. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means neither will dynamically adjust refresh rates for optimal power saving, but the brighter panel on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a significant benefit.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Motorola S50 Neo, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to feature a more sophisticated camera system, leveraging its processing power for improved image processing. The focus should be on the main sensor resolution and aperture; the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is likely to have a larger sensor and wider aperture, resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, if present, would further enhance image quality by reducing blur from hand movements. It's safe to assume the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will deliver a more versatile and higher-quality camera experience.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represents a substantial leap in processing power compared to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 found in the Motorola S50 Neo. The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s Cortex-A715 cores, clocked at 3.0 GHz, offer significantly higher single-core performance than the Snapdragon’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 7350 Pro also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3, while capable for everyday tasks, will likely show its limitations in demanding games or resource-intensive applications.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus shines in the battery and charging department. While the exact battery capacity isn’t specified, its active use score of 16:34h demonstrates excellent endurance. Crucially, the 50W wired charging capability is a game-changer, achieving a 50% charge in just 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes. The Motorola S50 Neo’s 30W charging is considerably slower, requiring significantly more time to reach a full charge. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola S50 Neo if you prioritize absolute affordability and are willing to compromise on performance and charging speed. It’s a solid choice for basic smartphone tasks and users on a tight budget. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, significantly quicker charging, and a brighter, more vibrant display – all while remaining within a reasonable mid-range price bracket.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s 4nm process node is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, the chip is less prone to throttling compared to older or less efficient processors. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus also likely incorporates thermal management solutions to further mitigate heat buildup.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 handle multitasking in the Motorola S50 Neo?
The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 is adequate for basic multitasking, such as switching between messaging apps and web browsing. However, it may struggle with demanding tasks like running multiple resource-intensive applications simultaneously or editing large files. Users who frequently multitask should consider the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus for its superior processing power.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Motorola S50 Neo slow compared to other phones in this price range?
Yes, 30W charging is relatively slow compared to the 50W or even 67W charging offered by many competitors in the mid-range segment. It will take considerably longer to fully charge the S50 Neo, which can be inconvenient for users who need a quick power boost.
