Nothing Phone (2a) vs Motorola Edge 40 Neo: A Detailed Comparison

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Nothing Phone (2a) and Motorola Edge 40 Neo represent compelling options. The Nothing Phone (2a) aims to disrupt with its unique design and focus on essential features, while the Motorola Edge 40 Neo prioritizes a sleek aesthetic and rapid charging. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a longer battery life, the Nothing Phone (2a) is the better choice. Its Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset and optimized power efficiency translate to a significantly longer active use score of 15:53h, outweighing the Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s faster charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Nothing Phone (2a) Motorola Edge 40 Neo
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 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, March 052023, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, March 12Available. Released 2023, September 14
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.34 in)159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm (6.28 x 2.83 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)170 g or 172 g (6.00 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm)MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G610 MC4Mali-G610 MC3
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm
Video1080p@60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE
NFCYes, 360˚Yes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging45W wired, 50% in 23 min, 100% in 1 hour68W wired, 50% in 15 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Milk, BlueBlack, Soothing Sea, Caneel Bay, Peach Fuzz
ModelsA142XT2307-1
Price€ 192.59 / $ 389.00 / ₹ 21,999$ 299.00 / € 168.73 / ₹ 19,900

Nothing Phone (2a)

  • Superior CPU performance with Dimensity 7200 Pro
  • Significantly longer battery life (15:53h active use)
  • More efficient 4nm chipset

  • Slightly lower peak display brightness
  • Charging speed is slower than the Motorola Edge 40 Neo

Motorola Edge 40 Neo

  • Faster 68W wired charging
  • Higher peak display brightness (1073 nits)
  • Sleek and lightweight design

  • Shorter battery life (10:28h active use)
  • Less powerful Dimensity 7030 chipset
  • Older CPU architecture

Display Comparison

Both phones feature vibrant displays, but the Motorola Edge 40 Neo boasts a higher peak brightness of 1073 nits compared to the Nothing Phone (2a)’s 981 nits. This difference is noticeable in direct sunlight. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) doesn’t specify PWM frequency, while the Edge 40 Neo’s display technology is likely to offer a smoother experience. While both are excellent, the Edge 40 Neo’s brightness gives it a slight edge for outdoor visibility.

Camera Comparison

The provided data doesn’t offer detailed camera specifications for either device. However, given the market positioning, we can infer that both will rely heavily on software processing. The Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s marketing emphasizes its photo and video capabilities, suggesting a focus on image quality. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Edge 40 Neo’s marketing suggests a stronger emphasis on camera features. We'd need to see sample images to make a proper judgement.

Performance

The Nothing Phone (2a) is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4nm), while the Motorola Edge 40 Neo utilizes the Dimensity 7030 (6nm). The 4nm process node of the 7200 Pro offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 6nm 7030. The CPU architecture also favors the Nothing Phone (2a), with its Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 2.8 GHz versus the Edge 40 Neo’s Cortex-A78 cores at 2.5 GHz. This translates to better multi-core performance and sustained speeds during gaming and demanding applications. The Edge 40 Neo’s CPU is older generation, impacting long-term performance.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2a) delivers a significantly longer active use battery life of 15:53h, compared to the Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s 10:28h. While the Edge 40 Neo compensates with 68W wired charging (50% in 15 minutes), the Nothing Phone (2a)’s 45W charging (50% in 23 minutes) is adequate, and the larger battery capacity provides a more substantial real-world advantage. The Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s older endurance rating of 80h is less relevant than the measured active use score.

Buying Guide

Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) if you need a phone that can reliably last through a full day of heavy use and offers a more powerful processor for demanding tasks. Buy the Motorola Edge 40 Neo if you prioritize a slimmer profile, faster charging speeds, and a slightly brighter display, and are willing to trade some battery life and sustained performance for those features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 7030 in the Motorola Edge 40 Neo throttle under sustained load, like during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7030, being built on a 6nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling compared to the Nothing Phone (2a)'s Dimensity 7200 Pro (4nm). While it can handle typical daily tasks, prolonged gaming or video recording may result in reduced performance as the chip heats up.
❓ How does the charging speed difference (68W vs 45W) translate to real-world usage scenarios for the Motorola Edge 40 Neo?
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s 68W charging is noticeably faster, reaching 50% charge in just 15 minutes. This is ideal for users who frequently need a quick power boost. However, the Nothing Phone (2a)'s larger battery capacity and more efficient chipset mean that the slightly slower charging speed is less of a concern for most users.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (Cortex-A715 vs Cortex-A78) significant for everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference between the Cortex-A715 and Cortex-A78 cores is minimal. However, the Cortex-A715 in the Nothing Phone (2a) offers a performance advantage in more demanding applications, such as video editing, gaming, and multitasking.