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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Nothing Phone (2)

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the flagship option, offering unmatched camera prowess with a staggering 200MP sensor. In real-world use, that means sharper photos and more detail, especially in low light, compared to the Nothing Phone (2)'s 50MP camera, which lacks optical zoom. The Nothing Phone (2) is lighter at 7.09 oz,.

📱 Display: 6.8" vs 6.7"🔋 Battery: 5000 mAh vs 4700 mAh⚖️ Weight: 8.25 oz vs 7.09 oz

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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

4.4
(1,332)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 740
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Nothing Phone (2)

Nothing Phone (2)

4.6
(397)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 years of Android OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates (bimonthly)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)
Graphics:Adreno 730
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Key spec differences

Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.

Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)Winner
Nothing Phone (2)
6.7"
Refresh Rate
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
1–120Hz (Adaptive)
Nothing Phone (2)
1Hz - 120Hz (LTPO Adaptive)
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Nothing Phone (2)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)
RAMKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
8GB / 12GB LPDDR5X
Nothing Phone (2)
8GB / 12GB LPDDR5
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Nothing Phone (2)
128GB / 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1Winner
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
200MP Wide (f/1.7, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OISWinner
Nothing Phone (2)
50MP Sony IMX890, f/1.88, OIS, EIS, 24mm equivalent
Ultra-Wide Camera
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Nothing Phone (2)
50MP Samsung JN1, f/2.2, 114-degree FOV, 4cm Macro Mode
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
5,000 mAh (Typical)Winner
Nothing Phone (2)
4,700mAh
Wireless Charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare
Nothing Phone (2)
15W Qi Dual-coil (Full charge in 130 mins); 5W Reverse Wireless
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
8.25 oz (234 g)
Nothing Phone (2)
7.09 oz (201.2 g)Winner
Dimensions
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm)
Nothing Phone (2)
6.38 x 3.01 x 0.34 in (162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
Nothing Phone (2)
5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
+

Full specs, pros, and cons

Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.

Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Nothing Phone (2)

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

4.4(1,332)Best Buy
Nothing Phone (2)

Nothing Phone (2)

4.6(397)Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Rating:4.4(1,332)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 740
RAM:8GB / 12GB LPDDR5X
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display
Resolution:3088 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 500 ppi
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz (Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:1,750 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:200MP Wide (f/1.7, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4) + 10MP Periscope (10x optical, f/4.9); OIS
Optical Zoom:3x, 10x Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 100x Space Zoom
Video Recording:8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps
Front Camera:12MP Front (f/2.2, 80° FOV), Dual Pixel AF
Battery:5,000 mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:Up to 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP68 (Water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Dimensions:6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm)
Weight:8.25 oz (234 g)
Biometrics:Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition
Extras:Integrated S Pen (2.8ms latency); Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox

✓ Pros:

  • Class-leading 200MP main camera and versatile 10x optical zoom
  • Custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy provides top-tier performance
  • Excellent battery life with 5,000mAh capacity
  • Integrated S Pen adds unique productivity features
  • Premium build with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and IP68 rating

✗ Cons:

  • Slow charging speed (45W) compared to competitors
  • Large and heavy (8.25 oz) form factor is difficult for one-handed use
  • Expensive starting price
  • No microSD card slot for expandable storage
  • Included USB cable is only USB 2.0 despite port supporting 3.2

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Nothing Phone (2)

Nothing Phone (2)

Rating:4.6(397)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:3 years of Android OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates (bimonthly)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)
Graphics:Adreno 730
RAM:8GB / 12GB LPDDR5
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1
Display Size:6.7"
Screen Type:LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz Adaptive, 1,600 nits (Peak Pixel Brightness)
Resolution:2412 x 1080 (FHD+) at 394 ppi
Refresh Rate:1Hz - 120Hz (LTPO Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:1,600 nits (HDR Peak); 1,000 nits (Outdoor Full Screen)
Main Camera:50MP Sony IMX890, f/1.88, OIS, EIS, 24mm equivalent
Ultra-Wide Camera:50MP Samsung JN1, f/2.2, 114-degree FOV, 4cm Macro Mode
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported)
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K @ 60fps (Main & Ultrawide); Live HDR at 4K/30fps
Front Camera:32MP Sony IMX615, f/2.45, 1080p @ 60fps
Battery:4,700mAh
Wired Charging:45W PPS (Full charge in 55 mins)
Wireless Charging:15W Qi Dual-coil (Full charge in 130 mins); 5W Reverse Wireless
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
USB:USB Type-C 2.0
Durability:IP54 (Splash, Water, and Dust Resistant); Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (Front & Back)
Dimensions:6.38 x 3.01 x 0.34 in (162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm)
Weight:7.09 oz (201.2 g)
Biometrics:Optical under-display fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:Glyph Interface (33 addressable LED zones), Glyph Composer, Essential Notifications, Stereo Speakers

✓ Pros:

  • Iconic transparent design with functional Glyph Interface lighting
  • Excellent performance stability with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
  • Power-efficient LTPO OLED display (1-120Hz)
  • Clean, bloatware-free software experience (Nothing OS)
  • Supports both wireless charging and reverse wireless charging

✗ Cons:

  • IP54 rating is lower than IP68 found in competitors (Pixel 7/8, Galaxy S23 FE)
  • Camera system lacks a dedicated telephoto/optical zoom lens
  • Digital zoom performance (max 10x) is weak compared to class leaders
  • Ultrawide sensor (Samsung JN1) struggles in low light compared to main sensor
  • No charger included in the box

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Which one is better?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the better buy for most people - its 200MP camera crushes the Nothing Phone (2)'s 50MP. That said, grab the Nothing Phone (2) if you want a lighter phone with a unique design and fun features like the Glyph Interface.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra if: you need the best camera for photography, you want a long-lasting battery for all-day use, or you prefer a premium build with an S Pen. (6.8" display, 5000 mAh battery)
Choose the Nothing Phone (2) if: you want a unique design with a transparent back, you prefer a lighter device for one-handed use, or you enjoy a clean, bloatware-free software experience. (6.7" display, 4700 mAh battery)

Conclusion

There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.

Frequently Asked Questions

+Which has better value?

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra excels if you value class-leading 200mp main camera and versatile 10x optical zoom. Nothing Phone (2) is better if you prioritize iconic transparent design with functional glyph interface lighting. Pick based on your budget and daily use.

+Is this an independent review?

Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.

+Do newer models exist?

Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.

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