1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is slightly thicker and has a marginally larger overall volume, potentially less comfortable for some users in one hand. |
| Weight | 200g | 190g | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is 10g lighter, might be noticeable during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same screen size, no difference in viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2412 | Very similar sharpness, negligible difference in daily use. |
| PPI | 394 | 395 | Identical pixel density, both displays look equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant and rich displays with excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1300 nits | Both displays are equally bright for outdoor use even in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a more recent, power-efficient chip leading to potentially better battery life and performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 805,721 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus should offer smoother operation in apps and games with better benchmark score. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G610 MC4 | While both can handle most games, Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely has an edge in sustained performance due to its newer architecture. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" Sony IMX555 | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56" Samsung GN9 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus captures more detailed shots. Samsung S21+ has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Rear Telephoto + Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" Samsung S5KGW2 | None | Samsung S21+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and better portraits. |
| Front Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2" Sony IMX374 | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers higher resolution selfies and larger sensor. |
| Rear Wide + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" Sony IMX563 | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76" Samsung S5KJN1 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers higher resolution shots. Samsung S21+ has a slightly larger sensor which results in better low light photos. |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps (S21+); 4K@30fps (2a) | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | Samsung S21+ offers higher resolution recording, enabling higher quality professional video capture. |
| DxoMark Score | Mobile: 111; Photo: 118; Video: 89 | Not Tested | Samsung S21+ has been tested and scored, providing an objective measure of camera performance. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus score is not available. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus should last slightly longer on a single charge due to bigger battery capacity. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 50W Fast Charging | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus charges much faster and saves time. |
| Features | 15W Wireless, Reverse Charging | None | Samsung S21+ provides wireless charging and reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (up to 15) | Android 14 (up to 17) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a newer operating system and will likely have longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) with MIMO | Similar WiFi connectivity. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus with MIMO for potentially better connection stability in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a newer, more efficient version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC System | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers better GPS accuracy due to additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Nano SIM, eSIM | Dual SIM, Nano SIM | Samsung S21+ offers eSIM support for greater flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB | Both provide ample storage for most users. |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus enables smoother multitasking with more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Samsung S21+ provides Dolby Atmos for spatial audio and clearer calls using noise cancellation. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers improved audio recording with 3 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both use similar basic fingerprint sensor technology for device security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Samsung S21+ offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Samsung S21+ includes a barometer and Hall/Geomagnetic sensors for more environmental data and better gaming performance. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has gravity sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Camera System: Dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and portrait mode, higher quality video recording (8K), and a more comprehensive main camera system with a slightly larger sensor.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Greater convenience for those already using wireless charging ecosystems and who might want to use the phone to charge other devices wirelessly.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen offers better protection against scratches and drops.
- eSIM Support: Dual SIM capability with eSIM provides more flexibility.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos support, noise cancellation microphone for clearer calls.
- Environmental Sensors: Additional environmental sensors (barometer, hall) suitable for advanced features and gaming.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Advantages:
- Newer and More Efficient Chipset: The Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset offers better power efficiency and slightly better overall performance.
- Faster Charging: 50W charging allows faster refills, saving time.
- Higher Resolution Front & Wide Camera: Capture more detailed selfies and wide angle photos.
- More RAM: 12 GB RAM for smoother multitasking and better app loading times.
- Newer Bluetooth version: Latest Bluetooth standard for higher quality audio transfer.
- Better GPS: More accurate location tracking due to more satellite support.
- Newer Operating System: Newer Android version for longer software support and better overall experience.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G: Older chipset, slower charging, less RAM, lacks a dedicated front camera and wide angle camera and higher resolution sensors.
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: Lacks wireless charging, reverse charging, has less screen protection, no telephoto camera, and has an inferior main camera sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal User:
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with optical zoom and high-resolution video capabilities.
- Wireless Charging Users: People who are already invested in a wireless charging ecosystem or frequently use wireless charging.
- Frequent Travelers: Users who need eSIM support and robust environmental sensors for navigation, data gathering and accurate weather data.
- Multimedia Lovers: Users who enjoy high quality audio and spatial audio using Dolby Atmos.
- Gamers: Those who desire an advanced sensor suite with barometer, geomagnetic and Hall sensors for better gaming experience.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Ideal User:
- Performance-Oriented Users: People who prioritize smooth operation in apps and games without caring much about specific camera functions.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who seek great value with fast charging and a newer Android version.
- Frequent Multi-Taskers: Users who switch between many applications often and need good RAM for performance and quick app loading.
- Users Who Value Future-Proofing: Those who appreciate the latest operating system and long term software support.
- Social Media Users: Those who want to take higher quality selfies and wide angle photos.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is a high-quality camera with optical zoom to you? (Prioritize S21+ for better photo and video capabilities with zoom).
- Do you need wireless charging and reverse wireless charging features? (Prioritize S21+ for these features).
- How important is fast charging, more RAM and long term software support? (Prioritize Nothing Phone (2a) Plus for faster charging and more RAM).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the user that wants the best camera experience: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for superior zoom capabilities and video recording, but understand the trade-off of slower charging and older software.
- For the budget-conscious user needing a well-performing device: Go for the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus to get a faster charging experience and newer software, sacrificing the advanced camera features, wireless charging and better screen protection.
- For the user that needs long term software support, more RAM and performance: Choose the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, sacrificing the wireless charging capabilities and optical zoom.
Personal Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. My reasoning is primarily driven by its newer chipset, faster charging, better RAM and longer software support. While the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers a more versatile camera system, the improvements in performance, battery charging and software longevity of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus outweigh the benefits of a slightly better camera for my usage patterns. The convenience of faster charging and smoother multitasking are more important to me in my daily usage. The newer Android version also provides better long term experience and ensures better feature support. While I appreciate the wireless charging and zoom capabilities of the S21+, my daily use case benefits more from the performance and battery life advantages provided by the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
