Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and the Nothing Phone (2). This is an interesting matchup – a foldable versus a traditional flagship – so we’ll need to look carefully at how each device caters to different needs and priorities.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key specs, focusing on real-world implications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Nothing Phone (2) | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Foldable | Standard | The Z Fold3 offers a unique tablet-like experience when unfolded, while the Nothing Phone (2) provides a more familiar smartphone feel. |
| Dimensions | 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4 mm | 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm | The Fold3 is significantly wider when unfolded, but thicker when folded. The Nothing Phone (2) is taller and thinner. |
| Weight | 271g | 201.2g | The Nothing Phone (2) is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended single-handed use. The Fold3 is heavier due to the folding mechanism and dual screens. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 7.6" (main), Cover screen size not specified | 6.7" | The Z Fold3 offers a significantly larger display area when unfolded, ideal for multitasking and media consumption. The Nothing Phone (2) is a more standard size. |
| Resolution | 1768 x 2208 | 1080 x 2412 | The Z Fold3 has a much sharper display with a higher pixel count, leading to more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 374 PPI | 394 PPI | The Nothing Phone (2) has a slightly higher pixel density, which makes it seem negligibly sharper. |
| Technology | (Not specified) | OLED | The Nothing Phone (2)'s OLED display technology offers richer blacks and more vibrant colors, while the Samsung's display is unspecified. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and animations fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | The Nothing Phone (2) is significantly brighter, making it much more visible outdoors in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) | The Nothing Phone (2) has a more modern and efficient chipset, offering better performance and power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 898,700 | 1,135,786 | The Nothing Phone (2) scores notably higher, indicating faster performance in apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 | The Nothing Phone (2) has a newer GPU which provides better graphical performance, making it better for demanding games and graphic-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP (f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm) | 50MP (f/1.88, 1/1.56", 1.0µm) | The Nothing Phone (2) has a higher resolution sensor and larger sensor size which should lead to more detailed photos, while the Samsung has a wider aperture. |
| Front Camera | 10MP (f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm) | 32MP (f/2.45, 1/2.74", 0.8µm) | The Nothing Phone (2) has a significantly higher resolution front-facing camera for sharper selfies and video calls. The Samsung has a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP (f/2.4, 1.0µm) | None | The Z Fold3 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which the Nothing Phone (2) lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 13MP (f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm) | None | The Z Fold3 has a dedicated wide angle lens, which the Nothing Phone (2) lacks. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP (f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm) | The Nothing Phone (2) has a combined Wide Angle + Macro camera, which the Z Fold3 lacks. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps HDR, EIS | Up to 4K@60fps HDR, OIS/EIS | Both phones offer high-quality video recording with stabilization. The Nothing phone has Optical Image Stabilization, which is generally better. |
| DxOMark Scores | Mobile: 120, Selfie: 83 | Not Available | The Z Fold3 has DxOMark scores, while the Nothing Phone (2) does not, so direct comparison is difficult. |
| Camera Features | Optical Zoom, Triple cam, Laser AF | Time-Lapse, Dual cam | The Z Fold3 provides more versatile shooting options. The Nothing phone has a timelapse feature. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4400mAh | 4700mAh | The Nothing Phone (2) has a slightly larger battery capacity, which might translate to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | The Nothing Phone (2) charges significantly faster, which is a big convenience. |
| Features | Bypass Charging, Wireless 15W, Reverse Wireless 9W | Wireless 15W, Reverse Wireless 5W | Both offer wireless and reverse wireless charging. The Samsung has bypass charging and faster reverse wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | The Nothing Phone (2) has a newer version of Android, which offers the latest features and security updates. |
| Max Version | Android 15 | Android 16 | Nothing Phone (2) has one more major update guaranteed. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest WiFi standards for fast and reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE | 5.3 | The Nothing Phone (2) has a newer Bluetooth version for potentially better power efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | The Nothing Phone (2) supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy, with L1+L5 dual-frequency GPS. |
| SIM | Nano + eSIM | Dual Nano SIMs | The Z Fold3 supports an eSIM for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Both have large storage options, but the Nothing Phone (2) starts at 128GB, while the Z Fold 3 starts at 256GB. |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB/12GB | Both phones offer excellent RAM options for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage via microSD cards. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both have stereo speakers. The Nothing Phone (2) has Hi-Res Audio and extra microphones, the Samsung has Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | The Z Fold3 features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor, while the Nothing phone has a basic sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | The Z Fold3 uses superior Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, while the protection for the Nothing Phone (2) is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Z Fold3 has additional environmental sensors, including a Barometer, which can be useful for activities such as hiking and climbing. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G:
- Strengths: The standout feature is its foldable design, offering a large tablet-like display in a pocketable format. It also provides a versatile camera system with a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities. Its robust build quality and advanced sensors cater to power users.
- Competitive Advantages: The unique form factor, larger screen, and additional camera options are its primary advantages.
- Trade-offs: The Z Fold3 is heavy, bulky, and older generation, with an older chipset and lower charging speed.
Nothing Phone (2):
- Strengths: It offers a significantly better chipset, brighter display, and faster charging speeds than the Z Fold3, while maintaining a light and slim profile. It also has a more modern design aesthetic.
- Competitive Advantages: Its superior performance, display technology, and faster charging give it a clear edge in everyday usability and modern design appeal. The camera is also superior for most use cases, apart from the lack of a telephoto lens.
- Trade-offs: The Nothing Phone (2) lacks the versatility of a foldable design and a telephoto lens.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G:
- Best Suited For: Users who prioritize a large screen experience for multitasking, media consumption, and e-reading. The foldable design makes it ideal for professionals who need to review documents or use multiple apps simultaneously. Those who value telephoto zoom capabilities will also find it useful.
- Use Cases: Reading ebooks or PDFs, watching videos, multitasking with multiple apps, and taking photos with zoom.
Nothing Phone (2):
- Best Suited For: Users who want a modern, sleek smartphone with fast performance, a great display, and rapid charging. It’s an excellent choice for gamers, social media users, and everyday users who value overall performance and design.
- Use Cases: Gaming, social media, general daily usage, watching content, and taking everyday photos.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
Do you need a large, foldable display? If yes, the Z Fold3 is your only option here. If not, the Nothing Phone (2) offers a more standard experience.
How important is performance? If the latest chipset and speed are a priority, the Nothing Phone (2) is a better choice.
What kind of photography do you value? If you need telephoto capabilities, the Z Fold3 is the right choice. If you mostly use a main camera and the occasional macro, the Nothing Phone (2) is likely to produce superior results.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Productivity Enthusiast: If you’re constantly juggling tasks and need the extra screen real estate, the Z Fold3 is still a solid choice despite being an older generation, as there is no direct competitor to the foldables yet.
- For the Tech-Savvy Gamer: The Nothing Phone (2)'s superior performance and display make it the better choice for gaming and graphic-intensive tasks.
- For the Everyday User: The Nothing Phone (2) offers a faster charging experience, a more modern design, and better camera quality, making it an ideal all-around choice for general usage.
What I Would Choose and Why:
If I had to choose between these two devices, I would go with the Nothing Phone (2). While the foldable design of the Z Fold3 is undeniably cool and offers a unique experience, the Nothing Phone (2) offers a much more balanced package for my daily usage. The combination of a more powerful and efficient processor, brighter and higher quality display, faster charging speeds, and a modern design, make it a better daily driver. While I occasionally find a telephoto lens useful, the camera on the Nothing Phone 2 is generally superior and more reliable for most photography scenarios. For me, the trade off with a much bulkier and heavier device of the older generation with the Z Fold3 is just not worth the versatility of a foldable screen, and the everyday performance of the Nothing Phone (2) is far more valuable to me.
