Fairphone 5 vs Nothing Phone (2a)

The Fairphone 5 (2023) runs on the Qualcomm QCM6490, while the Nothing Phone (2a) (2024) runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro; estimated prices are $770 and $349. By overall MobileRank rating, the Nothing Phone (2a) leads — 40/100 vs 25/100 (a 15-point difference). Key differences: the Nothing Phone (2a) has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4200); the Nothing Phone (2a) is noticeably lighter (190g vs 212g).

The Nothing Phone (2a) is noticeably better than the Fairphone 5 — the overall rating gap is 15 points.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Fairphone 5
Performance 0
Display 50
Camera 48
Battery 19
Design 35
Value for money 57
Nothing Phone (2a)
Performance 4
Display 100
Camera 54
Battery 42
Design 62
Value for money 86
What makes Fairphone 5 better?

  • Overall rating 25/100
What makes Nothing Phone (2a) better?
  • Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4200 mAh
  • Faster charging: 45W vs 30W
  • Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 90Hz
  • Lighter: 190g vs 212g
  • Cheaper: $349 vs $770

  • Higher performance (4/100 vs 0/100)
  • Better camera (54/100 vs 48/100)
  • Longer battery life (42/100 vs 19/100)
  • Better display (100/100 vs 50/100)
  • Better design/ergonomics (62/100 vs 35/100)
  • Better value for money (86/100 vs 57/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Fairphone 5 vs the Nothing Phone (2a), the Nothing Phone (2a) scores 15 points higher (40/100 vs 25/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) leads (42/100 vs 19/100). In the "value for money" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) leads (86/100 vs 57/100). In the "performance" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) and the Fairphone 5 are nearly equal (4/100 vs 0/100). In the "display" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) significantly outperforms the Fairphone 5 (100/100 vs 50/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) is a bit better (54/100 vs 48/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) notably outperforms the Fairphone 5 (42/100 vs 19/100). In the "design" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) notably outperforms the Fairphone 5 (62/100 vs 35/100). In the "value for money" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) notably outperforms the Fairphone 5 (86/100 vs 57/100).

Fairphone 5: The Fairphone 5 is a better fit for everyday use.
Nothing Phone (2a): The Nothing Phone (2a) is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers.
Specs comparison
Specification Fairphone 5 Nothing Phone (2a)
Processor Qualcomm QCM6490 MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro
AnTuTu 985261
Geekbench Single 1100
Geekbench Multi 3000
Display 6.5" OLED 6.7" AMOLED
Resolution 1224x2700 2412x1084
Refresh rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 4200 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 30W 45W
DXOMark (camera) 108
Main camera 50 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide 50 MP 50 MP
Front camera 50 MP 32 MP
RAM 6GB / 8GB 8GB / 12GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB 128GB / 256GB
OS Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, up to 5 major Android upgrades Android 14 / Nothing OS 2.5
Brightness (peak) 880 nits 1300 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP55 IP54
Dimensions 161.6×75.8×9.6 mm 161.7×76.3×8.6 mm
Weight 212 g 190 g
Price $770 $349
Camera comparison
Fairphone 5
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Front: 50MP
48
camera
Nothing Phone (2a)
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.88
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
54
camera
Display comparison
Fairphone 5
  • 6.5" OLED
  • Resolution: 1224x2700
  • Refresh rate: 90 Hz
50
display
Nothing Phone (2a)
  • 6.7" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2412x1084
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Battery and charging
Fairphone 5
  • 4200 mAh
  • Wired: 30W
  • No wireless charging
19
battery
Nothing Phone (2a)
  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 45W
  • No wireless charging
42
battery
Benchmarks
Price and availability
Fairphone 5
$770
Nothing Phone (2a)
$349

Price difference: $421. Nothing Phone (2a) is cheaper by $421.

Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) and the Fairphone 5 are nearly equal (4/100 vs 0/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) significantly outperforms the Fairphone 5 (100/100 vs 50/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) is a bit better (54/100 vs 48/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) notably outperforms the Fairphone 5 (42/100 vs 19/100).

design

In the "design" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) notably outperforms the Fairphone 5 (62/100 vs 35/100).

value for money

In the "value for money" category, the Nothing Phone (2a) notably outperforms the Fairphone 5 (86/100 vs 57/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Fairphone 5 or the Nothing Phone (2a)?

The Nothing Phone (2a) is noticeably better than the Fairphone 5 — the overall rating gap is 15 points.

What is the rating of the Fairphone 5 and the Nothing Phone (2a)?

The Fairphone 5 has a MobileRank rating of 25/100, the Nothing Phone (2a) — 40/100.

Which has the better camera: the Fairphone 5 or the Nothing Phone (2a)?

The Nothing Phone (2a) leads on camera score (54/100 vs 48/100).

Should you choose the Fairphone 5 over the Nothing Phone (2a)?

The Fairphone 5 is a better fit for everyday use. The Nothing Phone (2a) is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers.