Alright, let's dive deep into the Motorola Moto G (2022) and the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. We’re not just looking at numbers; we’re exploring how these phones perform in the real world, and what that means for you.
Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison of the two devices, focusing on the practical impact of their specs:
| Feature | Motorola Moto G (2022) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.4 × 75.8 × 9.4 mm | 161.7 × 76.3 × 8.5 mm | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is slightly smaller, thinner, and lighter, likely feeling more comfortable in hand and pocket. The Moto G is taller. |
| Weight | 204g | 190g | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, being 14g lighter, could be noticeably more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2412 | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a much sharper display, with more detail and clarity compared to the Moto G (2022) which might look a bit pixelated. |
| PPI | 270 | 395 | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus's higher pixel density makes text and images noticeably crisper. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus's AMOLED screen offers superior blacks, contrast, and color vibrancy; ideal for media consumption and outdoor visibility. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a smoother display for scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers vastly superior outdoor visibility, which will be noticeable on a sunny day. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus's newer, more efficient chipset provides much faster performance and better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 389,300 | 805,721 | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers significantly better performance for multitasking, apps, and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC4 | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus's GPU allows for better graphics performance, making it better for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery capacity; typically lasting a full day with average use. |
| Charging | 10W Fast Charging | 50W Fast Charging | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus charges much faster, making it more convenient to top up quickly. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, No Charger in Box | No surprises here on either front. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a larger sensor size which is better for low light, resulting in higher quality pictures. |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus takes much more detailed selfies than the Moto G (2022) with its higher megapixel count, however, the Moto G's pixel size is larger. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | N/A | The Motorola Moto G has a dedicated depth sensor, which the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus lacks. It might offer slightly better depth in certain scenarios. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | N/A | The Motorola Moto G has a dedicated macro lens. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus does not have one, opting instead for the ultra wide's lens. |
| Wide/Macro | N/A | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has an ultrawide/macro lens. This gives it more flexibility than the moto G (2022). |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@120fps | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus records at higher resolutions, with better frame rates and OIS support. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes (EIS, OIS) | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers much better video stabilization, making the footage less shaky. |
| Slow Motion | No, 30 fps | Yes, 240 fps | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers higher slow-motion frame rate capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Time-Lapse, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has more advanced features like OIS, Night Mode, and RAW capture, while the Motorola has an additional macro and depth lens. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14 | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a more up to date software experience. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports faster Wi-Fi 6, while the Motorola Moto G only supports up to Wi-Fi 5. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features the latest Bluetooth standard for more efficient audio streaming and device connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has better location services, and it can track more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports dual SIM cards, which is better for those who want to keep personal and professional lines separated. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB | 256GB | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has significantly more storage capacity for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 6GB | 12GB | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers better multitasking capabilities and can handle multiple apps with ease. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has an option to expand storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a far superior audio setup, with stereo speakers for more immersive listening and Hi-Res audio for better quality files. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer biometric security, but the Motorola might be slightly more practical with the side mounted. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus's display is more resilient to scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Motorola features a barometer while the Nothing Phone does not. They otherwise share sensors. |
Key Insights
Motorola Moto G (2022):
- Strengths: Decent battery life, and a macro lens
- Competitive Advantages: A barometer sensor, and a more practical fingerprint sensor position.
- Limitations: Lower screen resolution, low brightness, slower performance, slower charging, and very outdated software.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus:
- Strengths: Stunning AMOLED display, powerful performance, fast charging, superior cameras, and much more storage space and ram.
- Competitive Advantages: Larger display with higher resolution, great display brightness, better processor, significantly more storage and RAM, better camera capabilities, and more up to date software.
- Limitations: No included charger, no macro lens, and basic fingerprint sensor.
User Profiles and Recommendations
- Motorola Moto G (2022): Best for users on a tight budget who need a basic smartphone for everyday use. Suitable for light users who don't play intensive games, are not heavily into photography and video recording and need a device that prioritizes battery life over all else.
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: Ideal for users who want a balance between performance, features, and visual appeal. It is well-suited for multimedia consumption, mobile gaming, photography, and those who prefer a modern and visually engaging software experience.
Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- How important is display quality to you? If a sharp, vibrant display with excellent outdoor visibility is a priority, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the clear winner.
- How demanding are your tasks and what performance requirements do you have? If you play graphic intensive mobile games, or multitask a lot, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has better performance. If you are just checking emails and doing basic tasks, the Moto G (2022) may be fine.
- What is your budget and what other sacrifices are you willing to make? If you are on a very strict budget the Moto G (2022) is a cheaper phone but it has made sacrifices in the areas of screen, performance, camera, and software.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Budget-Conscious User: If you're on a very tight budget, the Moto G (2022) might suffice for very basic tasks. Just be aware that this will mean a sacrifice in the areas of screen resolution, brightness, performance, and camera quality.
- Multimedia Enthusiast: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will be a great fit. With its high-quality display, powerful audio, and overall power, you'll have a phone that excels at watching video and listening to music.
- Gaming Enthusiast: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides the performance needed for an enjoyable gaming experience.
- Photography Lover: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will be a far superior photography experience compared to the Motorola. It features a better camera sensor, 4k video capabilities, and a far more feature-rich camera app.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would absolutely go with the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. While the Moto G (2022) has a slightly more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and does have a depth and macro lens, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a far superior overall experience. The difference in screen quality, performance, storage, and camera features is simply too significant to ignore. I am more than willing to sacrifice the two extra camera lenses, a side-mounted fingerprint reader, and an included charger, for the overall experience provided by the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. The higher refresh rate, impressive performance, faster charging, modern software, and superior display make it the clear winner in my book. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus doesn't just offer a superior specs sheet. It offers a superior user experience that simply makes it the better phone.
