This is a detailed Ledger Nano S Plus vs. Ledger Nano X comparison.
If you own cryptos and your main game is to hold for a longer period, you know that keeping them in a hardware (cold) wallet is the safest way to store your assets.
While there are more and more players on the market, we will look into Ledger, one of the most known hardware wallet providers and a to-go solution for many hodlers.
We will look into their two currently available models, Nano S Plus and Nano X, and compare security, hardware, main features, which currencies are supported, and more.
We are digital nomads using and testing cryptos, hardware, and software around them and their applications. We are using different hardware wallets to store our cryptos, and one of them is also Ledger, which is, in our opinion, one of the best crypto hardware wallets.
Ledger S Plus vs Nano X: Overview and Main Similarities
Ledger was founded in 2014 in Paris, France, by experts with backgrounds in embedded security and cryptocurrencies. The team developed its operating system called BOLOS, integrated into the secure chip Ledger Hardware wallets and various enterprise solutions.
Ledger devices, Nano S Plus, and Nano X are one of the smallest hardware wallets and the most USB flash drive look-a-like.
Ledger Nano S Plus is the newer and updated version of its predecessor, Nano S, with Defi and NFT support. The main difference between S and S Plus is increased storage volume and screen size. Ledger Nano S is no longer available on the market.
Ledger Nano S Plus. Image Credit: ledger.com
There are many similarities between the two devices. For example, with Nano S Plus and Nano X, you can manage over 5,500 digital assets and have up to 100 apps installed simultaneously.
Both devices support USB-C connection and have certified secure chips (CC EAL5+). You can keep over 5,500 coins and tokens with Ledger, and both support up to 100 apps (the exact number of apps depends highly on their size).
Ledger S Plus and X have 128x64 px screens enabling you to communicate with the device more efficiently and connect it with the Ledger Live desktop or mobile app.
Both can run on Windows, macOS, and Linux. They also run on Android devices; since Nano X has a Bluetooth connection, you can connect it with iOS.
Besides many similarities, there are also some significant differences.
Nano S Plus has no Bluetooth and no battery, while Nano X has a battery that lasts about 8 hours and a Bluetooth connection, end-to-end encrypted.
One of the main differences is the price, as you can get Nano S Plus for about half of the cost of Nano X.
Ledger S Plus vs X: Specifications and Connectivity
The devices are pretty similar in appearance. Both have the exact screen dimensions, 128 x 64 pixels. However, the Nano X is slightly bigger, 72mm × 18.6mm × 11.75mm, compared to the Nano S Plus, with 62.39mm x 17.40mm x 8.24mm. Both devices come in different colors, like White, Blue, Ice, Purple, etc.
Nano X has slightly more powerful hardware, which makes it more responsive, and the screen quality is solid on both.
Both have two physical buttons, Nano X, on each side, and on Nano S Plus, the buttons are located at the top of the device.
Bluetooth connectivity on Nano X makes it perfect for anyone looking for convenient mobile or tablet connectivity using their Ledger Live app.
| | Nano S Plus | Nano X |
|---|---|---|
| **Size** | 62.39mm x 17.40mm x 8.24mm | 72mm × 18.6mm × 11.75mm |
| **Weight** | 21g | 34g |
| **Battery** | No Battery | 8 hours in standby mode, Ledger Nano X battery capacity is 100 mAh |
| **Connectivity** | USB-C | USB-C |
| **Screen size** | 128 × 64 pixels | 128 × 64 pixels |
| **Physical Buttons** | 2 | 2 |
Nano Plus S vs Nano X: Features & Functionality
Ledger Live APP
One of the great benefits of Ledger is that it works nicely with the Ledger Live application on your mobile or desktop. Ledger Live is a very straightforward app that is great for beginners or experienced users, as it does the job needed.
You can connect Nano S Plus with the app using the USB-C cable, while with Nano X, you can connect it with Bluetooth or USB-C.
Nano X and Ledger Live mobile. Image credit: ledger.com
With Ledger Live, you can see crypto assets in real-time and manage your accounts, buy, sell, swap crypto, and stake or lend your assets.
Staking Through the Ledger Validator Node
You can conveniently use both Ledger devices for staking and earn rewards for your holdings. You can stake your cryptocurrencies in two ways - with their Ledger Live app for managing your assets or a third-party wallet that offers support for Ledger's hardware devices.
We wrote a detailed guide on Staking with Ledger so you can check it out for more details.
Compatibility with third-party wallets
Both versions are compatible with some third-party wallets. You can find the detailed list here.
Nano S Plus Vs. Nano X: Supported Coins
Both versions of Ledger Nano wallets have great support for over 5500 coins and tokens, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, ERC20 tokens, NFTs, and much more.
Now let's look into the security features of Ledger devices.
Ledger S Plus vs Nano X: Security
Both devices are highly secured; Nano X has a secure element chip ST33, which is more powerful than the one in Plus S ST31.
The private keys are stored in a secure chip locked with a PIN code, EAL5+ certified, verified by the ANSSI, and tamper-resistant. In addition, both devices use the advanced "Blockchain Open Ledger Operating System," a.k.a. BOLOS, developed by the Ledger team.
Bluetooth connection on Nano X is end-to-end encrypted, which means that in case hackers would compromise the transaction via Bluetooth, they would still need private keys and sign the transaction. Bluetooth can be disabled anytime, in case you don't want to use it. You can connect both devices with a USB-C cable.
Additionally, devices are PIN code protected, with two-factor authentication (U2F) feature, and backed up with the 24-word recovery phrase.
For an additional layer of protection, transactions need to be confirmed with the physical buttons on the devices. This means that no malware can compromise your wallet.
Ledger experienced a marketing data breach in July 2020 that exposed the data of about one million users. This event is not related to the security of their devices.
How to set up the devices?
The setup process on both is very straightforward due to the simple and user-friendly interface. Let's look at the main steps you need to take to get your devices up and running.
Connect the Nano S plus to a laptop using its USB port, or if you are connecting to Android, use an OTG (not supported on iOS),
Follow the setup steps - click on Get Started on the app and set up a new device,
Set up a pin from 4 or 8 digits.
Write down a 24-word seed phrase for recovery. Make sure to save it in a safe and offline place!
Finish the setup phase, and your device is now ready. All you need to do now is to download apps that you need for different stored currencies, and you can safely store your assets.
Nano X
The setup is very similar, but compared to Nano S Plus, your Nano X can be connected to iOS devices, too, using the Bluetooth connection.
Connect it using USB or Bluetooth, and follow the steps on the device.
Create a password lock that will protect the information on the device from being accessed.
The next step is to write down the 24-word recovery seed phrase and save it in a secure and offline place.
After that, your Nano X is ready to use.
Ledger S Plus vs Nano X: Price
The price of Nano X is 149 USD, while Nano S Plus is much more affordable and comes with a price tag of 79 USD.
Conclusion
Ledger devices are, for a reason, one of the most popular hardware crypto wallets. They offer a simple solution to keep your crypto assets in a secure place. As digital nomads, we especially like the USB look-a-like design and the devices' size.
We like the upgrade of Nano S to Nano S Plus and the increased storage and screen size. Both devices support many coins and tokens, including NFTs, which makes Ledger great for everybody looking to store or trade many tokens, including NFTs, with an affordable, easy-to-use, secured hardware wallet.
If bluetooth and battery are important features for you, then Nano X is better choice, but also more costly. Nevertheless, no matter which model you choose, you will get a solid hardware wallet to store your assets in a safe place.
Ledger is, besides Trezor, one of the most recognizable and trustworthy companies behind hardware wallets if you want to see how this two compare, you can check our details, Trezor vs Ledger comparison.
What is your favorite hardware wallet, and why? Leave a comment below! 👇
+ Optional Bluetooth + Supports more than 5500 cryptocurrencies + Can connect with iOS + Battery, capacity u to 8h in standby + Durable steel case
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer
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