Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Honor 70 and the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. As a tech journalist, I'm always keen to see how these devices stack up in real-world use, not just on paper.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a comprehensive look at the key specifications, along with what they mean for you:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | 161.7 × 76.3 × 8.5 mm | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a bit wider and thicker, which may affect one-handed use; Both phones are close in height. |
| Weight | 178g | 190g | The Honor 70 is lighter, possibly more comfortable for longer use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Essentially the same size; negligible difference. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Very similar sharpness; both provide a crisp viewing experience. |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Both have the same pixel density, translating to the same image clarity. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer great contrast and vibrant colors; slight variations in panel characteristics. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is significantly brighter outdoors, making it better for bright sunny days. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm) | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to offer slightly more power with its newer processor, leading to smoother app loading and gameplay. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 805,721 | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to be noticeably faster in daily tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G610 MC4 | Both offer good graphics performance; The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus might have a slight edge. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus may offer a bit longer battery life, although the difference is modest. |
| Charging | 66W Fast Charging | 50W Fast Charging | The Honor 70 charges faster, meaning less time plugged into the wall. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | No charger in box | Honor 70 provides a useful reverse charging feature; Nothing Phone (2a) Plus requires you to provide your own charging brick. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP f/1.9, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800 | 50MP f/1.88, 1/1.56" Samsung GN9 | The Honor 70 has a slightly higher resolution and larger sensor for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.4, 1/3.2" Omni OV32C | 50MP f/2.2, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has higher resolution for more detailed selfies and a wider aperture and bigger sensor for better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP f/2.2 | No dedicated camera | Honor 70 offers a wide-angle lens for more versatile photography. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | No dedicated camera | Honor 70 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | 50MP f/2.2, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus combines wide-angle and macro into one lens for simplicity. |
| Video | 4K@30fps w/EIS, 1080p@60fps w/EIS | 4K@30fps w/EIS, 1080p@120fps w/EIS | Both offer solid video capabilities, though the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has slightly better stabilization. |
| Slow Motion | 960 fps | 240 fps | Honor 70 offers more fps for slow-motion recordings. |
| DXOMARK Score | Mobile:115, Photo:115, Video:129 | Not Tested | Honor 70's camera is rated well. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus not being tested by DXOMARK makes it hard to evaluate its image performance |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, Ultra stable Video | Dual camera, OIS | Honor 70 prioritizes versatile photography; Nothing Phone (2a) Plus focuses on stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a newer OS with the latest features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both offer fast and modern WiFi. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has slightly better Bluetooth performance and more power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has more precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support two SIM cards at once. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB | 256 GB | The Honor 70 offers more storage options, with up to 512GB available. |
| RAM | 6 GB / 8 GB / 12 GB | 12 GB | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus includes 12 GB of RAM, which is great for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus includes 3 microphones, providing better audio clarity for calls and recordings. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones use a standard fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has enhanced screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity Sensor, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity Sensor, Fingerprint, Gravity | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides a wider array of sensor functionality. |
2. Key Insights
- Honor 70 Strengths:
- Photography Versatility: The Honor 70 excels in photography with its triple-camera system, offering a wide-angle lens, a macro lens, and a high-resolution main camera.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging means less time waiting for the battery to fill up.
- Reverse Charging: A handy feature for charging other devices on the go.
- Storage Options: More storage options for users with large media libraries.
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Strengths:
- Performance: The Dimensity 7350 Pro offers better performance according to the AnTuTu score, indicating a more responsive and capable device for everyday tasks and gaming.
- Brighter Display: 1300 nits brightness provides superior outdoor visibility, which can make a huge difference under direct sunlight.
- Software: Ships with a newer version of Android, ensuring more features and longer update support.
- Better Audio: 3 microphones provide superior recording and call clarity.
- GPS Precision: Better GPS precision with more satelite support.
- Build Quality: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better screen protection.
- Trade-offs and Limitations:
- Honor 70: Older OS, lower brightness than Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, and less computing performance.
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: No charger in the box, slower charging, and a less diverse camera system.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Honor 70:
- Ideal For: Photography enthusiasts who value versatility and love to capture detailed shots with different lenses. Users who prioritize fast charging and have a lot of media to store.
- Use Case: Social media influencers and travelers who enjoy creating content, or users who need to quickly top up their battery on the go.
- Price-to-Value: Good for those who prioritize camera versatility and fast charging at a mid-range price point, if you can get it at a discount from its launch price.
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus:
- Ideal For: Tech enthusiasts who want modern software, better performance and good outdoor visibility. Users who value a cleaner software experience and don't mind providing their own charger.
- Use Case: Gamers, outdoor users who often use the phone in bright daylight, and people who want the latest version of Android with a focus on raw power.
- Price-to-Value: A solid choice for users seeking robust performance and good visibility at a good price.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
- What are your photography priorities? If you need versatile camera options including a wide-angle and macro lens, the Honor 70 is preferable. If you want great main and selfie photos with a cleaner setup, then the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is better.
- How much do you value performance and software updates? The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has the edge for pure performance and comes with a newer version of Android, ensuring longer software support.
- What are your daily usage scenarios? If you are frequently in bright sunlight, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus' brighter display is essential. If you need to charge your device quickly, the Honor 70 is your best option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Photographer: The Honor 70 is better for the flexibility it offers with its versatile triple camera and different lenses.
- For the Gamer or Power User: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus's better CPU and GPU are better suited for more demanding tasks and gaming.
- For the Everyday User: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus's brighter display and better performance will prove more useful. If you need fast charging and reverse charging then the Honor 70 is better.
My Choice and Why:
If I were choosing between these two, I'd lean towards the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. While the Honor 70 has its merits, especially in camera versatility and charging speed, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus wins in areas that are more important to me on a day-to-day basis: raw performance, a brighter display for outdoor use, and the latest software. The promise of future Android upgrades and the newer chipset gives it an edge in terms of longevity and responsiveness. While I would miss the wide-angle and macro lens and would need to use my own charging brick, the superior overall user experience of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is more appealing. The slightly better audio with 3 microphones and better GPS precision also adds to the deal. It simply feels like a more modern and well-rounded device for my needs.
