Okay, let's dive deep into a detailed comparison of the Motorola Edge 30 and the Nothing Phone (2). As a tech journalist with an engineering background, my goal is to translate these specs into something you can actually use to decide which phone fits your life best.
Specifications Breakdown
First, let's break down the specs and see how they stack up in real-world terms:
| Feature | Motorola Edge 30 | Nothing Phone (2) | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-05-12 | 2023-07-17 | Nothing Phone (2) is a newer device by over a year, so it benefits from more recent tech advancements. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphones, not foldables. |
| Dimensions (mm) | 159.4 × 74.2 × 6.8 | 162.1 × 76.4 × 8.6 | The Nothing Phone (2) is noticeably larger and thicker which may be more cumbersome, especially for those who prefer smaller devices. |
| Weight (g) | 155 | 201.2 | Motorola Edge 30 is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size (inches) | 6.5 | 6.7 | Nothing Phone (2) has a slightly larger screen, which might be better for media consumption, browsing and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both have sharp, full HD+ displays. The difference is minimal. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 405 | 394 | Both phones have excellent clarity; the difference is negligible in daily use. |
| Technology | AMOLED | OLED | Both use high-quality OLED tech, meaning vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 144 | 120 | Motorola Edge 30 has a slightly smoother display. It is going to make animations and scrolling look noticeably slicker. |
| Brightness (nits) | 0 | 1600 | Nothing Phone (2) has dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight. This is a critical advantage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) | Nothing Phone (2) uses a much more powerful, top-tier processor, offering significantly faster speeds and better performance. |
| Antutu Score | 609,900 | 1,135,786 | The Nothing Phone (2) scores almost double on benchmarks, showing that it will provide smoother, more responsive experience. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 730 | Nothing Phone (2) has a more powerful GPU, crucial for gaming and graphics-heavy tasks. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity (mAh) | 4020 | 4700 | Nothing Phone (2) has a larger battery, which will translate to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | 45W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | Nothing Phone (2) charges faster and may offer a more consistent performance over time. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, 15W wireless, Non-removable | Nothing Phone (2) offers greater flexibility with reverse charging and wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP f/1.8, 1/1.55", OV50A, 1.00µm | 50MP f/1.88, 1/1.56", IMX890, 1.00µm | Both use 50MP sensors, but Nothing Phone (2)'s sensor (Sony IMX890) is typically better for dynamic range and low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP f/2.25, 1/3.14", Samsung JD1, 0.70µm | 32MP f/2.45, 1/2.74", Sony IMX615, 0.80µm | Nothing Phone (2) has a larger sensor, which usually means better low-light performance. |
| Portrait Camera (Depth) | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | Motorola Edge 30 has a dedicated depth sensor, may improve the quality of portrait photos. Nothing Phone (2) uses software. |
| Wide + Macro | 50MP f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | 50MP f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | Both phones use the same wide-angle sensor and should produce similar results in practice. |
| Video | 4K@30fps HDR EIS | 4K@60fps HDR OIS EIS | Nothing Phone (2) has better video stabilization, offering smoother, more professional-looking footage. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, Manual, RAW | Dual camera, Time-lapse | Motorola Edge 30 has more advanced photography features. Nothing Phone (2) offers more time-lapse features. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 (up to 13) | Android 13 (up to 16) | Nothing Phone (2) is more future-proof due to its more recent and long term software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Both phones support the latest Wi-Fi standards, ensuring fast internet speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2) has a newer version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | Nothing Phone (2) has a more accurate and reliable GPS system for navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIMs, allowing two phone numbers to be used simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal (Max) | 256 GB | 512 GB | Nothing Phone (2) has more storage capacity for those needing more space for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM (Max) | 8 GB | 12 GB | Nothing Phone (2) has more RAM, which means smoother multitasking and faster app loading. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage; keep that in mind based on your storage needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo, 2 mics | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo, 3 mics | Nothing Phone (2) likely provides better audio quality with Hi-Res Audio and better voice capture with 3 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Biometrics | Fingerprint | Fingerprint | Both phones feature a basic fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Motorola Edge 30 has a stronger screen protection based on the gorilla glass version listed. Nothing Phone (2) is unspecified. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity, Proximity, Fingerprint | Nothing Phone (2) has an extra gravity sensor; comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming |
Key Insights
- Motorola Edge 30 Strengths: Its main advantages are its lightweight design, high refresh rate, and a dedicated portrait camera sensor. It also has Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection. The Motorola offers a Triple camera, Manual focus, and RAW support for photos.
- Nothing Phone (2) Strengths: This phone shines with a much more powerful processor, superior screen brightness, larger battery, and much better video stabilization. It also features a more reliable and accurate GPS system and a more up to date operating system. The audio quality should also be better thanks to Hi-Res audio.
- Trade-offs: The Motorola Edge 30 is lighter, but feels less premium, and has a weaker chipset. The Nothing Phone (2) is heavier and lacks expandable storage and a dedicated portrait sensor. The Nothing Phone (2) is more expensive but offers better performance and features.
User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Edge 30: Ideal for users who prioritize a light and comfortable phone for everyday tasks and media consumption. It is the phone of choice for users who do not do too much heavy multitasking, prefer a simpler camera experience but still like to capture images, and don't do too much gaming.
- Nothing Phone (2): Best suited for power users who require top-tier performance for gaming, intensive multitasking, and photography. The larger battery, wireless charging and better display will be ideal for someone who wants to use their phone for a longer time and consume more media, and the 12gb of RAM will make sure your apps are running smoothly.
Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- Performance vs. Comfort: Do you prioritize raw processing power and future-proofing, or is a lighter, more comfortable design more important for your day-to-day life?
- Battery and Features: Do you need excellent battery life, fast wireless charging, and the latest video stabilization features?
- Photography Needs: Do you want more manual camera features and a dedicated portrait sensor or a better low light camera performance with more advanced video features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If you need a solid, all-around phone at a reasonable price, the Motorola Edge 30 offers decent value despite its weaker chipset.
- Performance Enthusiast: If you crave the smoothest performance and latest features, the Nothing Phone (2) is worth the investment.
- On-The-Go Professional: If you spend most of the day using your device, the Nothing Phone (2) has you covered with a long lasting battery, the latest connection features, and a much better screen for outdoor visibility.
What I Would Choose and Why
Given my priorities as a tech journalist and someone who uses their phone extensively for content consumption, multitasking and creative endeavors, I would personally choose the Nothing Phone (2). Its significantly faster processor, superior screen brightness, better video recording capabilities, and longer battery life make it the better option for daily use. Although it's heavier and lacks a dedicated depth sensor, the performance gains, better software and connectivity, and more advanced camera sensors outweigh these trade-offs. The long term software support is also very enticing. The Nothing Phone (2) is simply a more robust and feature-rich device, that will stay relevant for longer.
