OnePlus Turbo vs. Nothing Phone (2): A Clash of Chipsets and Philosophies

The OnePlus Turbo and Nothing Phone (2) represent distinct approaches to the modern smartphone. The Turbo aggressively targets performance with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Nothing Phone (2) prioritizes a balanced experience with a focus on design and software. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and blazing-fast 100W charging, the OnePlus Turbo is the clear winner. However, the Nothing Phone (2) offers a more refined, all-around experience with excellent battery endurance and a unique aesthetic, making it ideal for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Turbo Nothing Phone (2)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
AnnouncedNot announced yet2023, July 11
StatusRumoredAvailable. Released 2023, July 17
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions-162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm (6.38 x 3.01 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-201.2 g (7.09 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1272 x 2800 pixels (~459 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 109.1 cm26.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120HzLTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1920Hz PWM, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 1600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 840Adreno 730
OSAndroid 16, ColorOS 16Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
InternalUp to 512GB128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Video4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, live HDR, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 23mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1), NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired Bypass charging45W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC4, 100% in 55 min 15W wireless, 100% in 130 min 5W reverse wireless
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 8000 mAhLi-Ion 4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack; other colorsWhite, Dark Gray
Models-A065
Price-$ 379.99 / £ 370.00

OnePlus Turbo

  • Unmatched processing power with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
  • Blazing-fast 100W wired charging
  • Potentially better thermal management due to 3nm process

  • Battery life potentially compromised by high performance
  • Limited information on display specifications

Nothing Phone (2)

  • Excellent battery life (14:21h active use, 103h endurance)
  • Refined software experience and unique design
  • Versatile charging options (wired, wireless, reverse wireless)

  • Older Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
  • Slower charging speed compared to OnePlus Turbo

Display Comparison

The Nothing Phone (2) features a display capable of reaching 998 nits of peak brightness, providing excellent visibility outdoors. While the OnePlus Turbo’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to expect similar peak brightness given its flagship positioning. The Nothing Phone (2)'s display technology isn't specified beyond brightness, but its overall quality is well-regarded. Without knowing the panel type (LTPO, AMOLED) or refresh rate of the Turbo, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Nothing Phone (2)'s measured brightness gives it a slight edge.

Camera Comparison

The context data for both devices is limited regarding camera specifics. The Nothing Phone (2) is noted for its 'Photo / Video' capabilities, suggesting a focus on overall image quality. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS details for either phone, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Nothing Phone (2)'s marketing emphasizes its camera system, implying a more developed feature set. We can assume both phones will offer competent camera performance, but the Nothing Phone (2) likely has a more refined software experience.

Performance

The OnePlus Turbo’s Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) represents a significant leap in performance over the Nothing Phone (2)’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm). The Turbo’s octa-core CPU, with its 2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L cores and 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M cores, promises substantially faster processing speeds compared to the Nothing Phone (2)’s 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510 configuration. The 3nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 also translates to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This makes the Turbo the superior choice for gamers and power users.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2) boasts impressive battery life, achieving an active use score of 14:21 hours and an endurance rating of 103 hours. While the OnePlus Turbo’s battery capacity is unknown, its 100W wired charging with bypass charging is a significant advantage. The Nothing Phone (2) supports 45W wired charging (taking 55 minutes for a full charge), 15W wireless charging (130 minutes), and 5W reverse wireless charging. The Turbo’s faster charging speed will appeal to users who prioritize quick top-ups, even if its overall battery endurance is slightly lower.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Turbo if you demand the absolute fastest Android performance for gaming and demanding tasks, and value the convenience of incredibly rapid charging. Buy the Nothing Phone (2) if you prefer a stylish, well-rounded smartphone with a focus on software experience, long battery life, and a distinctive design, even if it means sacrificing some peak processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the OnePlus Turbo get noticeably hotter than the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Nothing Phone (2) during extended gaming sessions?
The 3nm process of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While it's a more powerful chip, it *should* generate less heat than the 4nm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 under similar loads. However, sustained peak performance will still generate heat, and the effectiveness of the Turbo's cooling system will be crucial.
❓ How does the 100W charging on the OnePlus Turbo compare to the 45W charging on the Nothing Phone (2) in real-world usage?
The OnePlus Turbo's 100W charging is significantly faster, fully charging the device in a much shorter timeframe. While the Nothing Phone (2)'s 45W charging is still respectable (55 minutes to 100%), the Turbo offers a 'top-up' convenience that's hard to beat – a quick 10-minute charge can provide hours of use.
❓ Is the Nothing Phone (2)'s Glyph Interface a practical feature, or is it mostly aesthetic?
The Glyph Interface is a polarizing feature. While it offers some practical applications like visual notifications and a progress bar for charging, its primary appeal is aesthetic. Users who appreciate unique design and customization options will find it valuable, while others may consider it a gimmick.