Apple iPhone 13 or Nothing Phone 2: Which One is Worth Buying in 2024?

The Nothing Phone (2) feels fresh; its transparent back doesn’t look like another glass slab in a sea of almost identical-looking smartphones.

However, if you prefer lightweight phones and a smaller form factor, then the iPhone 13 suits you better. It’s not the most compact smartphone out there, but it strikes almost the perfect balance and is nearly an ideal size for any smartphone—not too big or too small. The iPhone 13 weighs around 170 grams, while the Nothing Phone (2) touches the 200 grams mark.

The Nothing Phone (2) has this unique Glyph Interface (LED lights on the back), which you can customise for different types of notifications and even for contacts. Honestly, it might be a conversation starter in many situations. But apart from that, I have not used the Glyph interface so much.

Yes, I have used the Glyph charging indicator and timer here and there, but that’s about it. The biggest advantage of having Glyph lights is in nighttime shots, as they give way better results than the traditional flash on most smartphones.

Apple iPhone 13 or Nothing Phone 2: Display

The iPhone 13 flaunts a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and 1200 nits of peak brightness. On the other hand, the Nothing Phone (2) features a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED screen with HDR10+ support and 1600 nits of peak brightness.

Both devices offer a great visual experience. I have watched many YouTube videos on both devices and had no issues at all. The colours are vivid, the blacks are dark, and the images are sharp, so I have no complaints.

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Now, let’s discuss the elephant in the room. The iPhone 13 has a 60Hz refresh rate, and the Nothing Phone (2) supports 120Hz. The Nothing Phone (2) feels snappier when scrolling through apps or social media. But on the flip side, the iPhone 13’s 60Hz display doesn’t feel laggy or slow. Apple has optimised it so well that you don’t feel it lacks a faster refresh rate.

Many people argue that even budget phones on the Android side are offering higher refresh rates. However, the iPhone’s 60Hz display feels way smoother and snappier than some budget Android devices that support 90Hz or sometimes 120Hz displays. Yes, a faster refresh rate on the iPhone 13 would have been an excellent addition, but I don’t have any significant complaints with the 60Hz.

Apple iPhone 13 or Nothing Phone 2: Performance and UI

The iPhone 13 draws power from the A15 Bionic chipset, built on 5nm technology, whereas the Nothing Phone (2) packs the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, built on 4nm technology. While both smartphones offer flagship-grade performance, I think the iPhone 13 wins this round.

I have not encountered a single lag during my usage so far. While the Nothing Phone (2) is also quite potent, it sometimes freezes for a few seconds, which is not a big deal, but yes, that is there.

When it comes to the user interface (UI), it all comes down to personal preferences. I enjoy iOS, as its no-nonsense UI is integrated so well on iPhones that it works flawlessly. The Nothing Phone (2) also offers a great UI experience. It is visible that the company is putting effort into the user experience, and there’s no major lag, stutter, or anything.

So here, the usual differentiation comes into play. If you like customising your phone, go with the Nothing Phone (2). But if you want things to simply work without getting into the nitty-gritty, then the iPhone 13 might be a better choice.

Apple iPhone 13 or Nothing Phone 2: Cameras

The iPhone 13 houses a 12MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and a 12MP selfie shooter. The Nothing Phone (2) features 50MP + 50MP dual rear cameras and a 32MP selfie snapper.

Nothing Phone (2) Camera Samples

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Both these devices can shoot amazing photos in almost all lighting conditions. Whether it’s a bright sunny day, a cloudy afternoon, or low-light situations at night, both smartphones will deliver exceptional images with their primary sensors.

iPhone 13 Camera Samples

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While I like the iPhone 13’s slightly warmer colour tone, which looks more natural and aesthetically pleasing, I have no complaints about the photos on either phone.

However, regarding videos, I think the iPhone 13 takes the crown. The videos shot on the iPhone look more stable, and even the sound recorded from the phone feels richer thanks to the Dolby Vision HDR and stereo sound recording support. If you are a content creator who shoots a lot of B-rolls and videos, then the iPhone 13 is worth your money.

Apple iPhone 13 or Nothing Phone 2: Battery Life and Charging

So when it comes to the battery, Apple doesn’t reveal its number, but it is said to pack around a 3200mAh battery, a very low number by 2024 standards. After all, on the Android front, a 5000mAh battery has become standard. However, the Nothing Phone (2) packs a 4700mAh battery.

Nonetheless, the battery life on the iPhone 13 is not as bad as it looks. Again, thanks to Apple’s optimisation, I have churned out around 5 to 6 hours of screen time on a single charge. Sometimes, I also got around seven and a half hours of screen time. But obviously, that is a rare occurrence.

The complete charge on the iPhone 13 easily gets me through a single day by leaving around 20% battery when I go to bed with moderate usage, including social media scrolling, calling, emailing, a little gaming, and stuff like that.

The Nothing Phone (2)’s battery also gives me almost identical performance, with around 5 to 6 hours of screen time on a single charge. A single charge on the Nothing Phone (2) easily lasts me an entire day or sometimes a day and a half with normal usage.

In terms of charging, the iPhone 13 supports 20W charging, and the Nothing Phone (2) supports 45W fast charging. The iPhone 13 takes about one and a half hours to charge fully, but the Nothing Phone (2) goes from 15% to 100% in about 45 minutes.

If battery life and charging speed matter most to you, the Nothing Phone (2) is a clear winner in this category.

Apple iPhone 13 or Nothing Phone 2: Verdict

If you are specifically looking for a new iPhone in 2024 without breaking the bank, then the iPhone 13 makes the most sense since you will easily find it on discounts on online platforms like Amazon and Flipkart or even offline stores like Reliance Digital and Croma. With all the discounts and offers, getting the iPhone 13 at under Rs 55,000 is possible.

On the contrary, if you are particularly looking for an Android smartphone, the Nothing Phone (2) is also a great choice. It has a unique design and user interface, and it is now available way below its launch price.

If you are not leaning towards any operating system and want a premium smartphone with the best value for money, go with the Nothing Phone (2).

Nothing Phone (2) offers great performance, display, camera, UI, and design at an almost Rs 15,000 cheaper price point.

But if shooting videos is your priority or you are looking for a smaller smartphone without compromising on any aspect, whether it’s performance, display, cameras, or battery, the iPhone 13 might be a better pick.