Nothing Phone 1 vs Samsung S22: How Do They Compare?

The smartphone world has a new player aiming to shake things up – the Nothing Phone 1. Launched in July 2022, this first smartphone from the London-based consumer tech company Nothing seeks to bring innovation back to a market perceived to be lacking excitement.

Founded by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei in 2020, Nothing attracted attention with its ear (1) wireless earbuds that feature a transparent design exposing the internal components. Now the company has applied the same unique aesthetic to the Phone 1, while promising strong specifications and an affordable price point.

But can this upstart device truly compete with tried-and-true smartphone giants like Samsung and its latest premium flagship, the Galaxy S22? We‘ll compare the Phone 1 and S22 head-to-head across all the key categories.

Nothing Phone 1 vs Samsung S22: Side by Side Comparison

What Are the Key Differences?

While the Phone 1 stakes its reputation on an eye-catching design, the Galaxy S22 flexes the top-of-the-line specifications expected from a premium Samsung flagship. Let‘s analyze how these devices compare across some key categories:

Cameras

• The Phone 1 features dual 50MP rear cameras, a standard wide-angle, and ultrawide. No telephoto zoom lens is included. The S22 packs three rear lenses – 50MP wide, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom and 12MP ultra wide.
• For selfies, the Phone 1 has a 16MP front camera compared to just 10MP on the S22.
• Overall the S22‘s versatility with a true telephoto lens makes its camera system superior for both photography enthusiasts and casual users alike.

Displays

• Both phones sport 6.1-6.5 inch AMOLED displays with up to a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling.
• But the S22 packs more pixels with an FHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080) compared to FHD on the Phone 1.
• It also has a peak brightness over 1,300 nits, allowing excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.

Power and Performance

• The Galaxy S22 is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, while the Phone 1 gets a Snapdragon 778G+.
• While no slowpoke, the 778G+ won‘t provide quite as much horsepower for intensive gaming and multitasking. For everyday use though, performance should still satisfy.
• The S22 also has faster 30W wired charging compared to 33W for the Phone 1. Both support 15W wireless charging.

Who Should Consider Each Phone?

So is the Nothing Phone 1 a Samsung killer? Not quite – the Galaxy S22 still outclasses it across display quality, camera versatility and sheer processing muscle. However, at $499, the Phone 1 costs several hundred dollars less while still delivering an impressive overall experience.

Here‘s a breakdown of ideal buyers for each smartphone:

Nothing Phone 1 – Best for design seekers on a budget

• Creative types who want a phone reflecting personal style
• Budget-focused shoppers who still want flagship-level features
• Those who will appreciate distinctive branding

Samsung Galaxy S22 – Best for performance demanding power users

• Photography enthusiasts who need top-notch camera hardware
• Mobile gamers seeking maximum graphics and FPS
• Multitaskers who rely on leading benchmarks for productivity

For many buyers, the Galaxy S22 will still be worth the investment in order to access best-in-class capabilities across the board. But the Phone 1 makes a remarkably competitive debut, establishing Nothing as a company to watch with anticipation for its next moves.

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