The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Honor X7b 5G aims to deliver solid performance at an accessible price point, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus attempts to disrupt with a focus on design and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the stronger contender. Its significantly faster Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm) chipset and superior display brightness offer a smoother, more responsive experience. While the Honor X7b 5G provides good value, the performance gap justifies the price difference.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 78 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 | 2024, April 04 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.7 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm (6.56 x 3.01 x 0.32 in) | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.3 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 850 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 13, Magic OS 7.2 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 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, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black | Black, Grey |
| Models | - | A142P |
| Price | About 150 EUR | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Honor X7b 5G
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Likely good battery life (pending capacity confirmation)
- Less powerful chipset (Dimensity 6020)
- Slower charging speed (35W)
- Inferior display brightness
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Faster and more efficient chipset (Dimensity 7350 Pro)
- Significantly faster charging (50W)
- Brighter and more vibrant display (1097 nits)
- Longer active use battery life (16:34h)
- Higher price point
- May require more frequent charging with heavy use
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a clear advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1097 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a scenario where the Honor X7b 5G’s unspecified brightness will likely struggle. While both likely utilize LCD panels (given the price points), the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s higher brightness suggests a more advanced backlight system. The lack of information on the Honor X7b 5G’s panel type and refresh rate leaves it at a disadvantage, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brightness is a tangible benefit for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the Honor X7b 5G, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely benefits from a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Dimensity 7350 Pro. While megapixel counts aren’t everything, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s likely larger sensor (based on market positioning) combined with the ISP will result in better low-light performance and dynamic range. We can assume the Honor X7b 5G will include standard features, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is positioned to deliver a more refined camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Honor X7b 5G’s Dimensity 6020 (7nm). The 4nm process node translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, meaning sustained performance during demanding tasks. The CPU architecture also favors the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, with its Cortex-A715 cores (clocked at 3.0 GHz) offering a significant performance boost over the Honor’s Cortex-A76 cores (2.2 GHz). This difference will be most noticeable in gaming and multitasking.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates a clear advantage in charging speed with its 50W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes. The Honor X7b 5G’s 35W charging is slower. While the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s active use score of 16:34h is impressive, the Honor X7b 5G’s battery capacity is unknown. However, the more efficient Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will likely offset any capacity difference, providing comparable or even better real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X7b 5G if you prioritize affordability and a long-lasting battery with acceptable performance for everyday tasks. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and make calls. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you demand a more fluid user experience, better gaming capabilities, and a brighter, more vibrant display, and are willing to spend a bit more for those enhancements.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Dimensity 7350 Pro is capable of running Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. While it won't match flagship performance, it provides a significantly smoother gaming experience than the Dimensity 6020 in the Honor X7b 5G, thanks to its more powerful GPU and efficient thermal management.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compare to other phones in this price range?
50W charging is relatively fast for this price segment. Many competitors offer 33W or even 18W charging. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging allows for a quick top-up, reaching 50% in just 21 minutes, making it ideal for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera information for the Honor X7b 5G a major concern?
Yes, it is. In the mid-range segment, camera performance is a key differentiator. Without knowing the sensor size, aperture, or image processing capabilities, it's difficult to assess the Honor X7b 5G’s camera quality. It's likely to be adequate for casual photography, but won't compete with the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s more advanced camera system.
