The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor Magic7 Lite and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options. The Magic7 Lite prioritizes exceptional battery endurance, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus focuses on a brighter, more vibrant display and a more modern chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day (and then some) battery life, the Honor Magic7 Lite is the clear winner. Its 59:33h endurance significantly outpaces the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. However, if a brighter screen and slightly more powerful processor are paramount, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a compelling alternative.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, January 02 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, January 02 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.8 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1224 x 2700 pixels (~437 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.5 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 3840Hz PWM, 4000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 14, MagicOS 8 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF, OIS
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (ultrasonic) | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired
Reverse wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 6600 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Purple, Titanium Black | Black, Grey |
| Models | BRP-NX1 | A142P |
| Price | $ 401.95 / £ 247.49 / € 264.54 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 59:33h endurance, 1200 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Honor Magic7 Lite
- Exceptional battery life (59:33h endurance)
- Faster 66W wired charging
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 6 Gen 1)
- Likely less vibrant display
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Brighter display (1097 nits)
- More powerful chipset (Dimensity 7350 Pro)
- Modern CPU architecture
- Shorter battery life
- Slower 50W charging
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1097 nits. This is a substantial advantage over what we’d expect from the Magic7 Lite, making the 2a Plus far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While the Magic7 Lite’s panel specifics are not provided, the 2a Plus’s brightness is a key differentiator. The 2a Plus likely utilizes a higher-quality panel, offering better color accuracy and viewing angles, though this requires further testing. The lack of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate is likely fixed, impacting power consumption.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Honor Magic7 Lite, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely benefits from more advanced image processing capabilities due to its newer chipset. The focus should be on the main sensor performance; any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device are unlikely to significantly impact image quality. The 2a Plus’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Dimensity 7350 Pro will likely offer better noise reduction and dynamic range, particularly in low-light conditions. We'd need sample images to confirm this.
Performance
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus leverages the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro, built on a 4nm process, featuring a more modern CPU architecture (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) compared to the Honor Magic7 Lite’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm). The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s Cortex-A715 cores offer a performance uplift over the Magic7 Lite’s Cortex-A78 cores, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both chips are 4nm, the architectural improvements in the Dimensity 7350 Pro provide a noticeable advantage. The Magic7 Lite’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is still capable for everyday tasks, but will show its limitations in graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
The Honor Magic7 Lite truly shines in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 59:33h overall endurance and 15:02h of active use. This is a significant lead over the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 16:34h active use score. While the 2a Plus has a slightly longer active use time, the Magic7 Lite’s overall endurance suggests superior efficiency. The Magic7 Lite’s 66W wired charging is also faster than the 2a Plus’s 50W charging (56 minutes to full), offering a quicker top-up when needed. The 2a Plus reaches 50% charge in 21 minutes, which is respectable, but the Magic7 Lite’s faster charging is a convenience advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Magic7 Lite if you need a phone that can reliably last through two full days of moderate use, or if you frequently find yourself away from a charger. It’s ideal for travelers, commuters, or anyone who dislikes battery anxiety. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize a vibrant display for media consumption, enjoy a cleaner software experience, and value the extra processing power for demanding apps and games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Honor Magic7 Lite struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is capable of handling everyday tasks, graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact will likely require reduced graphics settings and may experience occasional frame drops. The Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a more comfortable gaming experience with higher frame rates and better visual fidelity.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compare to the 66W charging on the Honor Magic7 Lite in real-world use?
The Honor Magic7 Lite’s 66W charging is demonstrably faster, fully charging the device in less time than the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 56-minute full charge time. While 50W is still relatively fast, the 66W offers a more convenient top-up experience, especially for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ Is the difference in active use battery life (15:02h vs 16:34h) between the two phones significant for a typical user?
While 1 hour and 32 minutes may not seem like a huge difference, the Honor Magic7 Lite’s significantly higher overall endurance (59:33h) indicates it’s more efficient and will likely last longer between charges with typical usage patterns. The active use score represents a sustained, heavy workload, while real-world usage is often more varied.
