Phone (3a) vs Galaxy S23+

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Nothing Phone (3a)

Lifespan decides this one: the Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 at $6.18 per month of safe use, while the Galaxy S23+ runs out in Feb 2028 ($10.32/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Phone (3a) 75 · Galaxy S23+ 69 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Nothing Phone (3a) $349

Safe to buy$6.18/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20292031

Samsung Galaxy S23+ $206

Buy with care$10.32/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Feb 20262028

Category by category

Display

Phone (3a) 80Galaxy S23+ 70

The Phone (3a)'s screen is the better one — 6.77-inch amoled, 1080×2392 (fhd+), up to 120hz, 3000 nits peak.

Performance

Phone (3a) 64Galaxy S23+ 85

The Galaxy S23+'s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is simply the faster chip.

Camera

Phone (3a) 79Galaxy S23+ 79

Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.

Battery

Phone (3a) 80Galaxy S23+ 74

5,000mAh vs 4,700mAh — the Phone (3a) lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

Phone (3a) 67Galaxy S23+ 24

The Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 — 37 months longer than the Galaxy S23+.

Value

Phone (3a) 75Galaxy S23+ 69

Overall value goes to the Phone (3a) at $6.18 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Phone (3a)	Galaxy S23+
Price (street)	$349	$206
Display	6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak	6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, FHD+, 120Hz
Chipset	Snapdragon 7s Gen 3	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
RAM	8GB/12GB	8GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	256GB/512GB
Battery	5,000 mAh	4,700 mAh
Charging	50W wired, no wireless	45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
Rear cameras	50MP main, 50MP telephoto 2x, 8MP ultra-wide	50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x
Dimensions	163.52 × 77.50 × 8.35 mm	157.8 × 76.2 × 7.6 mm
Weight	201 g	196 g
Water resistance	IP64	IP68
Supported until	Mar 2031	Feb 2028

Phone (3a) full verdict →Galaxy S23+ full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.