The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is the latest budget A-series smartphone from the brand in India. The new launch is the first in the segment to offer six years of OS updates. In the sub-Rs 25,000 segment, the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G competes with the Nothing Phone (2a), known for its stunning design, clean software, powerful specs, etc. Should you pick the Galaxy A16 5G over Nothing Phone (2a)? Let’s find out in this comparison.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G vs Nothing Phone (2a): Specs at Glance
| Expert Score | — | 8.6/10 by Expert |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 6300 | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro |
| Display | 6.7″ (17.02 cm) 90Hz Display | 6.7″ (17.02 cm) 120Hz Display |
| Rear Camera | 50+5+2 MP Rear | 50+50 MP Rear |
| Front Camera | 13 MP Front | 32 MP Front |
| RAM & Storage | 8 GB RAM 128 GB Storage | 8 GB RAM 128 GB Storage |
| Battery | 5000 mAh 25W Charging | 5000 mAh 45W Charging |
| OS | Android v14 | Android v14 |
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G vs Nothing Phone (2a): Price in India
| Smartphone | Variant | Price |
| Samsung Galaxy A16 5G | 8GB+128GB | Rs 18,999 |
| 8GB+256GB | Rs 21,999 | |
| Nothing Phone (2a) | 8GB+128GB | Rs 23,999 |
| 8GB+256GB | Rs 25,999 | |
| 12GB+256GB | Rs 27,999 |
On paper, the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is more affordable and value for money. However, the Phone (2a) is offered in a 12GB+256GB option and if this is what you want, you can choose Nothing’s offering.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G vs Nothing Phone (2a): Design
- The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is a plastic-clad device available in Blue, Black, Gold, and Light Green. It’s 7.9mm thick and weighs 192 grams. The smartphone has an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance.
- The Nothing Phone (2a) is also plastic but features a transparent back panel to show off the Glyph Interface. The smartphone comes in Black, Blue, and White colourways. The IP54-rated device is 8.5mm thick and weighs 190 grams.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G colours
Both these devices are plastic-clad and have an IP54 rating. However, in the aesthetics department, the Nothing Phone (2a), with its transparent back panel and Glyph Interface, takes the crown in the design department. The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is for those who need a subtle and lightweight handset.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G vs Nothing Phone (2a): Display
- The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G features a 6.7-inch Infinity-U Super AMOLED display with a waterdrop notch. The screen offers FHD+ resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, and 20:9 aspect ratio.
- The Nothing Phone (2a) has a 6.7-inch 10-bit flexible AMOLED display. It boasts FHD+ resolution, a 30Hz—120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 1300 nits peak brightness, a 100% DCI P3 colour gamut, 2160Hz PWM dimming, HDR10+ certification, a 240Hz touch sampling rate, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Thanks to features like 120Hz refresh rate, higher brightness, HDR10+ certification, and the protective layer, the Nothing Phone (2a) is the better option in the display department.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G vs Nothing Phone (2a): Processor
- The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC, which has 2x Cortex A76 and 6x Cortex A55 cores. The processor is backed by a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage.
- The Nothing Phone (2a) is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro SoC. The processor features more powerful 2x Cortex A715 cores, 6x Cortex A510 cores, and a Mali G610 MC4 GPU. It also supports LPDDR4X RAM, UFS 2.2 internal storage, and virtual RAM expansion.
The Nothing Phone (2a) wins in the performance department with a more powerful processor and GPU. You also get virtual RAM expansion for more RAM if required. The Nothing Phone (2a) also has the advantage of offering a higher RAM and storage variant.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G vs Nothing Phone (2a): Software
- The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G boots One UI 6.0 based on Android 14. Samsung has assured the smartphone will receive six years of OS and security patch updates.
- The Nothing Phone (2a) runs NothingOS 2.5, based on Android 14. It will receive three major Android updates and four years of security patch updates.
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G trumps the software department with much longer support and a no-fuss interface. However, if you are looking for something unique, like a minimal interface, stylish dotted system font, no bloatware, ChatGPT integration, and punctual updates, then the Nothing Phone (2a) is the one to pick.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G vs Nothing Phone (2a): Cameras
- The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G has a triple camera setup on the back: a 50MP primary camera with autofocus and an f/1.8 aperture, a 5MP ultrawide camera with an f/2.2 aperture, and a 2MP macro camera with an f/2.4 aperture. There is a 13MP selfie camera with an f/2.0 aperture.
- The Nothing Phone (2a) has a dual camera system: a 50MP Samsung S5KGN9 f/1.88 primary camera with OIS and a 50MP Samsung S5KJN1 ultrawide camera with f/2.2 aperture. There is also a 32MP Sony IMX615 selfie snapper with f/2.2 aperture.
While both smartphones feature a 50MP primary camera, the Nothing Phone (2a) wins here because of the secondary 50MP camera and a more powerful selfie camera. The handset also offers the TrueLens engine for advanced algorithms, Ultra XDR, Motion Capture, Portrait Optimiser, and more.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G vs Nothing Phone (2a): Battery and Charging
- A 5,000mAh battery with 25W fast charging support powers the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G. Samsung doesn’t provide a charger with the handset.
- The Nothing Phone (2a) also has a 5,000mAh battery but with support for 45W wired fast charging tech. There’s no charger provided with the Nothing Phone (2a) either.
While both come with the same battery capacity, the Nothing Phone (2a) wins in this department, thanks to its faster charging technology.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G vs Nothing Phone (2a): Verdict
The Nothing Phone (2a) is the better pick among the two, thanks to its unique aesthetics, useful Glyph Interface, brilliant display, superior performance, exemplary camera prowess, and unparalleled software experience. The smartphone is Rs 5,000 more expensive, but the price is justified for the features offered.
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is a good pick if you are looking for a simple and long-lasting smartphone for your parents or kids. It has a subtle design and will get longer software support, which makes it ideal for those who don’t buy a new phone often.