Oppo F23 vs Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Contenders

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo F23 and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The F23 leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon 695 5G, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus opts for MediaTek's newer Dimensity 7350 Pro. This comparison will dissect their key differences, focusing on performance, display, battery, and charging to determine which device offers the most complete package.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a brighter display, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the stronger contender. Its Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and 1097 nit display offer a noticeable advantage over the Oppo F23's Snapdragon 695 and unspecified display capabilities, despite slightly slower charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo F23 Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 411, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 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
Announced2023, May 152024, July 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, May 18Available. Released 2024, August 03
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions165.6 x 76.1 x 8.2 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.32 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
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 14, ColorOS 14Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.2-
Main Camera
Dual64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP, f/3.3, 34mm (microscope) Auxiliary lens50 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@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide)50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76"
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCNoYes, 360˚
PositioningGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-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
Charging67W wired, PD, 50% in 18 min (advertised)50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsCool Black, Bold GoldBlack, Grey
ModelsCPH2527A142P
PriceAbout 270 EUR€ 269.90 / ₹ 22,599
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     0.96 W/kg (body)-

Oppo F23

  • Faster 67W charging speeds
  • Proven Snapdragon 695 chipset reliability
  • Potentially lower price point

  • Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
  • Likely lower display brightness
  • Unknown battery capacity

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

  • Superior performance with Dimensity 7350 Pro
  • Brighter and more vibrant display (1097 nits)
  • Longer battery life (16:34h active use)

  • Slower charging speed (50W)
  • Potentially higher price
  • MediaTek chipset may have less software optimization

Display Comparison

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significant advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1097 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Oppo F23, which lacks published brightness data. While the Oppo F23’s panel specifics are unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brightness suggests a more modern panel technology. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s higher brightness is particularly beneficial for media consumption and outdoor photography.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Oppo F23, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s image processing capabilities, coupled with its likely larger sensor (based on market positioning), should deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The Oppo F23 likely relies on software optimizations to compensate for its less powerful chipset, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a hardware advantage. We can assume the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will offer more detailed and dynamic range in photos.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Oppo F23 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm). The Dimensity 7350 Pro, with its Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 3.0 GHz, offers a substantial performance uplift over the Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores at 2.2 GHz. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 7350 Pro also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions. This means the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will handle demanding applications and multitasking with greater ease.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 16 hours and 34 minutes. While the Oppo F23’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s efficiency, combined with the 4nm Dimensity 7350 Pro, allows for significantly longer usage. The Oppo F23 compensates with 67W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in 18 minutes, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus takes 21 minutes for the same. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus reaches 100% in 56 minutes, suggesting a more controlled charging curve for battery health.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo F23 if you prioritize a proven, reliable chipset with established software optimization and fast 67W charging, and are less concerned with pushing the phone to its performance limits. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you value a brighter, more vibrant display, a more powerful processor for demanding tasks, and a longer active use battery life, even if it means a slightly longer charging time.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus tend to 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 Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s thermal management system should prevent significant throttling, allowing for sustained performance over extended periods. User reports and independent testing will be crucial to confirm real-world thermal performance.
❓ How does the 67W charging on the Oppo F23 compare to the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus in terms of long-term battery health?
While the Oppo F23 charges faster initially, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging with a full charge time of 56 minutes suggests a more conservative charging curve. This slower, more controlled charging process can potentially contribute to better long-term battery health by reducing stress on the battery cells. However, both phones likely employ battery protection features to mitigate degradation.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 695 and Dimensity 7350 Pro noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks like browsing and social media, the difference may not be immediately apparent. However, the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s superior processing power will become noticeable when multitasking, running demanding apps, or playing graphically intensive games. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will offer a smoother and more responsive experience overall.