Nio Phone 2 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Performance and Power

Both the Nio Phone 2 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra represent the pinnacle of Android smartphone technology, powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. However, they diverge significantly in their approach to battery, charging, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on what each phone delivers beyond raw processing power.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing charging speed and potentially sustained performance under load, the Nio Phone 2 emerges as the winner. Its 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging significantly outpace the S24 Ultra's 45W and 15W respectively. However, the S24 Ultra’s superior battery life and refined software experience make it a strong contender for the average user.

PHONES
Phone Names Nio Phone 2 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 421, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, July 272024, January 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, July 27Available. Released 2024, January 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Corning Gorilla Armor), glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor), titanium frame (grade 2)
Dimensions163.9 x 77.5 x 8.5 / 8.6 / 8.7 mm162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN
Weight209 / 214 / 226 g (7.37 oz)232 g or 233 g (8.18 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Armor
Resolution1440 x 3168 pixels (~510 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~505 ppi density)
Size6.82 inches, 113.0 cm2 (~89.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 113.5 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
OSSkyUI 2.0Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Ring-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.6, 65mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.6x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.3, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR10+8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, HDR10+
Single12 MP, f/2.5, (wide)12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD3.0, QC4 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5020 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace Blue, Moonlight Silver, Pine Green, Golden Sand, Nebula Red, EPeditionTitanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange
ModelsN2301SM-S928B, SM-S928B/DS, SM-S928U, SM-S928U1, SM-S928W, SM-S928N, SM-S9280, SM-S928E, SM-S928E/DS
PriceAbout 820 EUR$ 514.94 / C$ 929.99 / £ 630.00 / € 658.53 / ₹ 84,999
SAR-1.26 W/kg (head)     0.62 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.06 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)

Nio Phone 2

  • Significantly faster wired and wireless charging (80W/50W)
  • Potential for better sustained performance due to faster charging
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor

  • Limited information on display and camera specifications
  • Software experience may not be as refined as Samsung's

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

  • Exceptional battery life (13:49h active use)
  • Bright and vibrant display (1447 nits)
  • Mature and feature-rich software ecosystem

  • Slower charging speeds (45W wired, 15W wireless)
  • Potentially more susceptible to thermal throttling during prolonged use

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1447 nits. While the Nio Phone 2’s display specs are not provided, Samsung’s panel is known for its vibrant colors and excellent outdoor visibility. The S24 Ultra likely utilizes LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, contributing to power efficiency. The absence of display details for the Nio Phone 2 makes a direct comparison difficult, but Samsung’s display is a clear strength.

Camera Comparison

Camera details for the Nio Phone 2 are absent, making a direct comparison challenging. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to feature a sophisticated camera system with advanced image processing. The S24 Ultra’s camera system is likely to prioritize versatility and image quality in various lighting conditions. Without specifics on the Nio Phone 2’s sensor sizes, apertures, and image processing capabilities, it’s difficult to assess its photographic prowess.

Performance

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm SM8650-AB/AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm), but subtle CPU clock speed differences exist. The S24 Ultra’s CPU peaks at 3.39GHz on the Cortex-X4, slightly higher than the Nio Phone 2’s 3.3GHz. However, the core configurations are largely identical. The 4nm process node ensures excellent efficiency, but the Nio Phone 2’s faster charging could allow for more frequent power replenishment, potentially mitigating any thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The S24 Ultra’s larger battery also contributes to sustained performance.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra delivers an impressive 13:49h of active use, showcasing excellent battery endurance. The Nio Phone 2’s battery capacity is unknown, but its 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging are significantly faster than the S24 Ultra’s 45W and 15W respectively. The Nio Phone 2 can reach 65% charge in 30 minutes with its wired charging, while the S24 Ultra does the same. This faster charging could offset a potentially smaller battery capacity, providing a more convenient user experience for those who frequently need to top up their device.

Buying Guide

Buy the Nio Phone 2 if you need blazing-fast charging, value potential thermal advantages from faster power delivery, and are comfortable with a potentially less polished software experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you prioritize all-day battery life, a mature and feature-rich software ecosystem, and a best-in-class display experience, even if it means slower charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How much faster is the Nio Phone 2's 80W charging compared to the S24 Ultra's 45W in a real-world scenario?
The Nio Phone 2's 80W charging will significantly reduce charging times, especially from lower battery percentages. While the S24 Ultra reaches 65% in 30 minutes, the Nio Phone 2 is expected to charge even faster, potentially reaching a full charge in under an hour, compared to the S24 Ultra's longer timeframe.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Nio Phone 2 potentially throttle under sustained load, and how does the faster charging impact this?
All Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 devices are susceptible to thermal throttling under prolonged, intensive tasks like gaming. However, the Nio Phone 2’s faster charging allows for more frequent power replenishment, potentially mitigating the effects of throttling by keeping the battery cooler and providing more consistent power delivery.
❓ What kind of wireless charging standard does the Nio Phone 2 support, and is it compatible with all Qi chargers?
The Nio Phone 2 supports 50W wireless charging using the PD3.0 standard. While it also supports Qi wireless charging, achieving the full 50W requires a compatible PD3.0 wireless charger. Standard Qi chargers will likely charge at a slower rate.