Here is a section by section look at both phones. Each table keeps only the specs that matter, so you can see how a newer mid-range phone and an earlier flagship differ in everyday use.
General
Both phones carry the signature Glyph design and support 5G for quick downloads. The Nothing Phone 3a launched in March 2025, while the Nothing Phone 2 arrived earlier, in July 2023.
| Feature | Nothing Phone 3a | Nothing Phone 2 |
|---|
| Brand | Nothing | Nothing |
| Model name | Phone 3a | Phone 2 |
| Launch date | March 2025 | July 2023 |
| Network support | 5G, 4G LTE, VoLTE | 5G, 4G LTE, VoLTE |
| Warranty details | 1 year manufacturer warranty | 1 year manufacturer warranty |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm | 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm |
| Weight | 201 g | 201.2 g |
Display and design
Videos and games look vivid on both screens. The Nothing Phone 3a peaks at 3000 nits for easy outdoor viewing, while the Nothing Phone 2 uses an LTPO panel for smooth 120 Hz scrolling.
| Feature | Nothing Phone 3a | Nothing Phone 2 |
|---|
| Display size | 6.77-inch | 6.7-inch |
| Display type | AMOLED | LTPO OLED |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Protection | Panda Glass, IP64 | Gorilla Glass 5, IP54 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2392 pixels | 1080 x 2412 pixels |
| Peak brightness | Up to 3000 nits | Up to 1600 nits |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm | 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm |
| Weight | 201 g | 201.2 g |
| Thickness | 8.4 mm | 8.6 mm |
| Build | Glass front and back, plastic frame | Glass front and back, aluminium frame |
Pro tip: Compare both screens outdoors before buying. Peak brightness of 3000 nits and 1600 nits can look quite different in strong sunlight, and the Glyph lights on the back are worth seeing in person too.
Performance and software
The Nothing Phone 2’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 handles demanding games and heavy multitasking smoothly. The Nothing Phone 3a’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 covers everyday apps and casual games comfortably.
| Feature | Nothing Phone 3a | Nothing Phone 2 |
|---|
| Processor | Octa-core, up to 2.5 GHz | Octa-core, up to 3.0 GHz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| RAM options | 8GB | 8GB or 12GB |
| GPU | Adreno 810 | Adreno 730 |
| Operating system | Android 15 | Android 13 |
| UI | Nothing OS | Nothing OS |
| Software version | Nothing OS 3.1, up to 3 OS updates | Nothing OS 2.0, up to 3 OS updates |
Camera features
Both phones carry a 32MP front camera for sharp selfies. The Nothing Phone 3a adds a 2x telephoto lens for portraits, while the Nothing Phone 2 records 4K video at 60 fps.
| Feature | Nothing Phone 3a | Nothing Phone 2 |
|---|
| Rear camera setup | 50MP wide + 50MP telephoto + 8MP ultra-wide | 50MP wide + 50MP ultra-wide |
| Front camera | 32MP | 32MP |
| Video recording | Up to 4K at 30 fps | Up to 4K at 60 fps |
| Camera features | 2x optical zoom, Pro mode, Ultra HDR | Advanced HDR, slow motion, action mode |
| OIS | Yes, on main camera | Yes, on main camera |
| Flash | Glyph LED fill light | Glyph LED fill light |
Storage and connectivity
Space for photos and apps matters. The Nothing Phone 3a offers 128GB or 256GB, while the Nothing Phone 2 goes up to 512GB, and both support 5G and Wi-Fi 6.
| Feature | Nothing Phone 3a | Nothing Phone 2 |
|---|
| Internal storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB or 512GB |
| Expandable storage | No | No |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| 4G | Yes, VoLTE | Yes, VoLTE |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 |
| USB port | USB Type-C | USB Type-C |
| SIM type | Dual SIM (nano SIM) | Dual SIM (nano SIM) |
| GPS | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
Battery and other features
A bigger battery means fewer top-ups. The Nothing Phone 3a carries 5000 mAh, while the Nothing Phone 2 offers 4700 mAh along with 15 W wireless charging.
| Feature | Nothing Phone 3a | Nothing Phone 2 |
|---|
| Battery capacity | 5000 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging speed | 50 W wired, 7.5 W reverse | 45 W wired, 15 W wireless, 5 W reverse |
| Fingerprint sensor | In-display | In-display |
| Face unlock | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers |
| Glyph Interface | 3 LED strips, Essential Space button | 11 LED strips |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, ambient light sensor | Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, ambient light sensor |
Pro tip: Think about wireless charging before choosing. The Nothing Phone 2 supports it, while the Nothing Phone 3a charges by cable only, so a wireless pad at home or work could tip the decision.