Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs Nothing Phone (2a) - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 5, 2023 March 12, 2024
Release Year 2023 2024

Physical

Volume 99.11 cm³ 106.1 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.06 "/g 3.53 "/g
Weight 209 g 190 g
Height 158 mm 161.7 mm
Width 76.5 mm 76.3 mm
Thickness 8.2 mm 8.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Purple
  • Graphite
  • Mint
  • Cream
  • Indigo
  • Tangerine
  • Black
  • Blue
  • White
  • Milk

Display

Screen Size 6.4 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1080 x 2412
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 83.2 % 87.6 %
Pixel Density 403 PPI 394 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 700 nits
HBM Brightness N/A 1100 nits
Peak Brightness 1450 nits 1300 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 109.86 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 45.4 mAh/cm³ 47.12 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - International Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - International Octa-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 Cortex-A510)
GPU Xclipse 920 - International Mali-G610 MC4

Connectivity

USB Version N/A 2.0
OTG Support 1 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 13 14
Maximum OS Version 17 17

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S23 FENothing Phone (2a)Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mmThe Nothing Phone (2a) is slightly larger and thicker.
Weight209 g190 gThe Nothing Phone (2a) is noticeably lighter.
BuildMaterial specifications missing for both phones, impacting durability and premium feel assessment.
Display
Size6.4"6.7"The Nothing Phone (2a) offers a larger screen for media consumption.
TypeDynamic AMOLED 2XAMOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; however, Samsung's Dynamic AMOLED 2X generally boasts better color accuracy and brightness.
Refresh Rate120Hz120HzBoth offer smooth scrolling and animations.
Peak Brightness1450 nits1300 nitsThe S23 FE offers significantly higher peak brightness, improving outdoor visibility.
Performance
ChipsetExynos 2200 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm)The Dimensity 7200 Pro generally provides better sustained performance and efficiency compared to the Exynos 2200, which is known for potential overheating issues.
CPUOcta-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 Cortex-A510)While both are powerful, architectural differences make a direct comparison difficult without benchmarks.
GPUXclipse 920Mali-G610 MC4The Xclipse 920 generally offers superior graphics performance for demanding games.
RAM8GB12GBThe Nothing Phone (2a)'s extra RAM allows for better multitasking and app retention.
Storage256GB256GBBoth offer the same storage capacity. Expandable storage options are not specified.
Battery
Capacity4500 mAh5000 mAhThe Nothing Phone (2a) has a larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life. Charging speeds are not specified.
Camera
Rear CameraNot specifiedNot specifiedInsufficient information to compare camera quality and features.
Video8K@24fps, 4K@60fps...4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@120fps(EIS)S23 FE offers higher resolution video recording including 8K; Nothing Phone (2a) limits to 4K but emphasizes Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for smoother footage.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE Advantages:

  • Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility.
  • Potentially Superior GPU: Advantageous for demanding gaming and graphical tasks.
  • Higher Resolution Video Recording: Enables capturing more detailed videos.

Nothing Phone (2a) Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life.
  • More RAM: Smoother multitasking and better app retention.
  • Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
  • More Recent OS: Starts with a newer Android version, potentially offering longer software support. Specific update guarantees for both phones are missing.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE: Users prioritizing a bright display for outdoor use, high-performance gaming, and high-resolution video recording.

Nothing Phone (2a): Users prioritizing battery life, multitasking capabilities, a lightweight design, and the latest Android features.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is your budget and how important is price-to-performance ratio? (Both are mid-range, but specific pricing is needed for a detailed comparison).
  2. What are your primary use cases (gaming, photography, general use)?
  3. How important is battery life, display brightness, and overall performance?

My Choice:

Given the available information, I would lean towards the Nothing Phone (2a). The larger battery, increased RAM, and lighter weight are significant advantages for my daily usage. While the S23 FE boasts a brighter display and potentially more powerful GPU, the Dimensity 7200 Pro's superior efficiency and thermal management, coupled with the Nothing Phone (2a)'s larger battery, suggest a more consistently pleasant user experience. The lack of detailed camera specifications makes a definitive judgment difficult, but for my personal use, general performance and battery life outweigh raw GPU power and higher resolution video recording. Furthermore, starting with a more recent OS version hints at potentially longer software support. However, a final decision would heavily depend on a full camera comparison and confirmed pricing for both devices.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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