Nothing Phone (2a)vsSamsung Galaxy A16 5G
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
Nothing Phone (2a) wins
Verdict
Nothing Phone (2a) wins 4 of 5 categories — our overall pick
Nothing Phone (2a) is the overall winner, 4 / 5 — display is its standout. It costs USD 349 — USD 150 more than the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G. Pay the premium if display is your priority.
- Nothing Phone (2a) takes Performance — led by ram (8 GB).
- Nothing Phone (2a) takes Display — led by refresh rate (120 Hz).
- Nothing Phone (2a) takes Camera — led by selfie camera (32 MP).
- Nothing Phone (2a) takes Battery — led by charging speed (45 W).
- Samsung Galaxy A16 5G takes Price — led by price (199 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want…
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 700,000 pts vs 450,000 pts.
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want more apps open at once — 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want a sharper screen — 394 ppi vs 385 ppi.
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want smoother scrolling — 120 Hz vs 90 Hz.
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want a screen you can read in sunlight — 1,300 nits vs 800 nits.
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want sharper selfies — 32 MP vs 13 MP.
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want better video quality — 82 pts vs 75 pts.
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want a better camera — 112 pts vs 102 pts.
- Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if you want faster charging — 45 W vs 25 W.
Choose Samsung Galaxy A16 5G if you want…
- Choose Samsung Galaxy A16 5G if you want a lower price — 199 USD vs 349 USD.
At a glance
- Nothing Phone (2a)
- Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
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Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Peak brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video score
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera score
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
Nothing Phone (2a)
Choose Nothing Phone (2a) if display matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 349.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
Choose Samsung Galaxy A16 5G if price matters most. It costs USD 199, the lowest price in this group.
Pros & cons
Nothing Phone (2a)
- Unique Glyph design
- Clean software
- Good price
- Mid-range chipset
- No telephoto
- 45 W charging
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
- Cheap 5G
- 5,000 mAh battery
- Long support
- Slow chipset
- HD+ screen
- Plastic build