Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Honor 70 and the Nothing Phone (2a). This isn't just a spec sheet showdown; we're going to explore how these differences translate into real-world experiences.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Honor 70 | Nothing Phone (2a) | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-06-02 | 2024-03-12 | Nothing Phone (2a) is significantly newer, with more recent tech. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no foldable designs here. |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm, 178g | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm, 190g | The Nothing Phone (2a) is slightly larger and heavier; the Honor 70 is slimmer and lighter, which might feel better in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Practically identical display sizes, not a noticeable difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both are sharp, with virtually indistinguishable pixel density. |
| Panel Type | OLED | AMOLED | Similar technologies, expect vibrant colors and deep blacks from both. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both; standard for this class. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Nothing Phone (2a) is significantly brighter, making it much easier to use outdoors in sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm) | Nothing Phone (2a) has a more modern chipset built on a smaller node; should offer slightly better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 688,952 | Nothing Phone (2a) benchmarks higher, expect slightly smoother experience in demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G610 MC4 | Different GPU configurations; real-world performance is very close. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Nothing Phone (2a) has a marginally bigger battery which will lead to slightly better battery life. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 45W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Honor 70 charges considerably faster but Nothing is only slightly slower. |
| Other | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Non-removable, No charger in box | Honor 70 can charge other devices wirelessly; Nothing (2a) does not come with a charger. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800 | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56" Samsung GN9 | Honor 70 has a higher resolution sensor; Nothing has a slightly wider aperture; both will perform well in daylight. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.74" Sony IMX615 | Nothing Phone (2a) has a wider aperture on its front camera, better for low light. |
| Ultrawide | 50MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.2 (Wide Angle + Macro) | Honor 70 has a dedicated ultrawide camera whereas Nothing Phone (2a) uses one lens for both ultrawide and macro purposes. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Honor 70 has a dedicated Macro lens which is a plus for close up photography. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@120fps with EIS | Both offer excellent video recording capabilities, with nothing phone being slightly better due to 120 FPS. |
| Stabilization | No stabilization | Optical Stabilization (OIS) | Nothing Phone (2a) has a definite advantage for stable video and low-light photos. |
| DxOMark | 115 (Photo: 115, Video: 129) | N/A | The Honor 70 camera performance is pretty good, however Nothing Phone(2a) is still unrated. |
| Additional Features | Triple Camera, Ultra Stable Video | Dual camera, Time-Lapse, Phase Detection AF | Honor 70 offers more camera features, whereas Nothing Phone (2a) offers more modern stabilization features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | Nothing Phone (2a) comes with a newer version of Android, and will have longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both have support for modern Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2a) has slightly better Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | Nothing Phone (2a) offers more advanced GPS, potentially better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both phones support two SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | Honor 70 offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 6/8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Both offer plenty of RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, keep that in mind. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 Microphones | Nothing Phone (2a) has better audio quality due to additional microphones |
| Security | |||
| Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nothing Phone (2a) offers superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint; Proximity; Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint; Proximity; Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Nothing Phone (2a) offers Gravity sensor in addition to all the standard sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Honor 70 Strengths:
- Sleeker and Lighter: The Honor 70 is more compact and comfortable for single-hand use.
- Faster Charging: The 66W charging is notably faster than the Nothing Phone (2a)'s 45W.
- Versatile Camera System: The dedicated macro lens and triple camera array offer more flexibility.
- Reverse Charging: Conveniently charge other small devices wirelessly.
- More Storage Options: Comes in a 512 GB variant.
Nothing Phone (2a) Strengths:
- Brighter Display: The 1300 nits brightness is a significant advantage in outdoor visibility.
- Superior Performance: The newer chipset and higher AnTuTu score indicate better overall performance.
- Modern Software: Android 14 ensures longer-term software support.
- Better Camera Hardware Its main and selfie camera will perform better in low light scenarios due to wider aperture.
- OIS Offers better video quality.
- Advanced GPS: Superior location accuracy with additional satellite support.
- Superior Build Quality: It has a Corning Gorilla Glass 5, providing better screen protection.
- 3 microphones: This will lead to better voice capture.
- Gravity sensor: This could enable more advanced features.
Trade-offs:
- The Honor 70's older chipset and lack of OIS in the camera are drawbacks for power users.
- The Nothing Phone (2a)'s lack of a charger in the box and slightly slower charging are downsides.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Honor 70 is Best For:
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize a slim and lightweight phone with fast charging and good all-around capabilities.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Who enjoy the flexibility of a dedicated macro lens and the versatility of a triple camera system.
- Media Consumers: People who prioritize fast charging over battery life.
- Users that require reverse charging: People who may want to charge other devices wirelessly.
Nothing Phone (2a) is Best For:
- Power Users: Who want the best possible performance and future-proof software.
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Who need a bright screen to use their phone in direct sunlight.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Who prioritize superior low light camera performance and OIS.
- Users that require the most precise GPS accuracy
- Users that require robust build quality
- Users that require superior audio capture
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is peak performance and latest software to you? If yes, Nothing Phone (2a) is the better option. If not, Honor 70 would be fine for everyday use.
- Do you prioritize camera versatility, fast charging, and battery, or brightness and display, and low light photography and better software support? Honor 70 offers camera versatility, faster charging and battery life. Nothing phone has a brighter display and better camera quality, and more up to date software.
- What is the usage environment? If you're spending a lot of time outside in bright conditions, the Nothing Phone (2a) is better. The Honor 70 is better if you need the reverse charging feature.
My Choice
If I were buying today, I'd choose the Nothing Phone (2a). The combination of a brighter, more future-proof display, OIS for more stable video recording, newer chip, and the promise of longer software support are simply too compelling for me. I am also a big fan of the extra features such as superior GPS, robust build quality, and better audio capture. While I'd miss the fast charging of the Honor 70, the improved performance and display of the Nothing Phone (2a) offer a better long-term experience. The value proposition is better.
