Nothing Phone (2a) PlusvsAsus Zenfone 9

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

Nothing
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Phone (2a) Plus
Processor:MediaTek Dimensity 7350
RAM:12GB
Storage:256GB

Quick Stats

The Nothing Phone (2A) Plus's battery life is merely adequate, falling short of expectations.
The Nothing Phone (2A) Plus boasts an impressive display with high refresh rate and vibrant colors.
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus delivers solid camera results, especially in good lighting conditions, despite some limitations.
The Nothing Phone (2A) Plus delivers smooth performance with demanding tasks, despite a mid-level chip.
Asus
Asus Zenfone 9
Zenfone 9
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1
RAM:8GB
Storage:128GB

Quick Stats

The Asus Zenfone 9 boasts exceptional battery life, lasting over a full day with moderate use easily.
The Asus Zenfone 9's exceptional display is its standout feature, offering vibrant colors and immersive viewing experience.
The Asus Zenfone 9's camera is solid, but lacks features compared to other high-end smartphones despite its quality.
The Asus Zenfone 9 offers exceptional performance, delivering seamless experiences with its top-of-the-line processor and efficient design capabilities.
Key Differences

Processor Speed

Winner
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
3 GHz
Asus Zenfone 9
3.20 GHz

RAM

Winner
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
12GB
Asus Zenfone 9
8GB

Storage

Winner
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
256GB
Asus Zenfone 9
128GB

Weight

Winner
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
190g
Asus Zenfone 9
165g
Rank
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
#205
Asus Zenfone 9
Winner
#135
Scores by Category
Rankings
Connectivity
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
#301
Asus Zenfone 9
#48
Winner
Design
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
#314
Asus Zenfone 9
#35
Winner
Display
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
#225
Asus Zenfone 9
#222
Winner
Performance
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
#247
Asus Zenfone 9
#158
Winner
Battery
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
#174
Winner
Asus Zenfone 9
#398
Camera
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
#256
Winner
Asus Zenfone 9
#520
item_phones_categoryId
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
#1
Tie
Asus Zenfone 9
#1
Tie

Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.

Specifications Comparison
Specification
Nothing Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Asus Asus Zenfone 9
Model
MediaTek Dimensity 7350
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1
CPU
2x3 GHz ARM Cortex, A715 + 6x 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex, A510
1x3.2 GHz Cortex, X2 +3x2.8 GHz Cortex, A710 + 4x2.0 GHz Cortex, A510
Type
Octa-Core
Octa-Core
Nanometer
4
4
Frequency
3
3.20
64 Bits
Yes
Yes
GPU
Arm Mali-G610 MC4
Qualcomm Adreno 730 875 MHz
RAM
12
8
Type
LPDDR4X RAM
RAM LPDDR5
Capacity
256
128
Type
UFS Storage 2.2
UFS Storage 3.1
SD slot
No
No
Fingerprint security
Yes, in screen
Yes, on the side
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Proximity sensor
Yes
Yes
Light sensor
Yes
Yes
Accelerometer sensor
Yes
Yes
Compass sensor
Yes
Yes
Gyroscope sensor
Yes
Yes
Gravity sensor
Yes
Yes
Hall sensor
N/A
Yes
Audio
Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones
Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones
Antutu Score
805721
1232500
Antutu Version
Antutu v10
Antutu v10
Antutu Standing
Overall performance better than 83% of devices
Overall performance better than 91% of devices
Cooling system
Yes
No
Gaming buttons
No
No
Extras
N/A
N/A

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

Strengths

Unique design
Solid all-round performance
Camera is nice
Battery life is lovely
Software (Nothing OS) is one of my favorite UIs
120Hz refresh rate feels fast and responsive

Weaknesses

Only three years of software support, compared to Samsung's seven years
No wireless charging, which can be a pain point for some users
No eSIM support, which can be frustrating for frequent travelers
Not significantly different from the regular 2A model
Price is £50 more than the 2A at the same spec
Limited modes and options in camera settings

Asus Zenfone 9

Strengths

The phone has a solid but lacking camera system, which is not bad for a compact phone.
The software on the phone looks better than what Samsung would offer on the s22 and just makes sense.
We get the large Android material U toggles which you can turn on or off.
Double tapped awake and sleep features are included.
The fingerprint scanner is super fast.
Speakers sound good, although not as loud as the iPhone 14 pro speakers
Battery life makes daily usage a breeze

Weaknesses

We lack some things like Android 13 which was launched right before this review.
The phone does not have wireless charging, instead it has a headset jack.
It is priced higher than the Samsung s22, with new prices ranging from $500-$600
Some add-ons for the phone are expensive, such as a kickstand or backpack mount costing over $100 and $200 respectively
The face unlock feature isn't entirely slow but not the fastest either.
Top speaker is not as loud as the bottom one in stereo setup
It lacks some of the features that I personally prefer, such as gimmicks like 4K video with gimbal stabilization
Read Full Reviews

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is an intriguing device that offers a unique blend of style and substance. Its distinctive design, solid all-round performance, and impressive camera capabilities make it an attractive option for those seeking a mid-range Android experience. Running on the Nothing OS 2.6 platform, this phone promises fast and responsive software interactions. But how does it stack up against its competitors? Does its sleek design justify the premium price tag?

Asus Zenfone 9

The Asus Zenfone 9 is a compact flagship Android phone that stands out in a world where large screens are the norm. With a processor that rivals its bigger siblings, this device packs a punch despite its modest size. The camera, although solid, lacks some of the flair found on other phones. However, with its sleek design and snappy performance, it's easy to see why some might consider it a hidden gem. As I delve into the details of this phone, I'll weigh its pros and cons, exploring whether its compact size is enough to make it worth the investment.

Need help choosing?

Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.

Read Nothing Phone (2a) Plus ReviewRead Asus Zenfone 9 Review

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