Nothing Phone (2a) vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Nothing Phone (2a) and Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ represent compelling options. The Nothing Phone (2a) prioritizes a clean software experience and unique design, while the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ focuses on delivering cutting-edge charging speeds and a high-resolution display. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which device offers the best overall value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity, the Nothing Phone (2a) emerges as the winner. Its significantly longer 15:53-hour active use battery life outweighs the Redmi Note 13 Pro+'s faster charging, especially considering the relatively similar performance profiles. However, users who absolutely need the fastest possible recharge times will favor the Redmi.

PHONES
Phone Names Nothing Phone (2a) Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA- International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, March 052023, September 21
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, March 12Available. Released 2023, September 21
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather)
Dimensions161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.34 in)161.4 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.35 x 2.92 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)199 g or 204.5 g (7.02 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, 1920Hz PWM, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra (4 nm)
GPUMali-G610 MC4Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0Android 13, up to 3 major Android upgrades, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video1080p@60fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYes, 360˚Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging45W wired, 50% in 23 min, 100% in 1 hour120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 19 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Milk, BlueMidnight Black (Fushion Black), Moonlight White (Fushion White), Aurora Purple, Fushion Purple, Camo Green
ModelsA14223090RA98C, 23090RA98G, 23090RA98I
Price€ 192.59 / $ 389.00 / ₹ 21,999$ 299.98 / £ 299.00 / € 208.98 / ₹ 24,999
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     0.85 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.98 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)

Nothing Phone (2a)

  • Exceptional battery life (15:53h active use)
  • Clean and streamlined software experience
  • Unique and eye-catching design

  • Lower peak display brightness
  • Slower charging speed compared to the Redmi

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+

  • Incredibly fast 120W charging (0-100% in 19 min)
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • Potentially more versatile camera system (depending on sensor)

  • Significantly shorter battery life (10:38h active use)
  • MIUI software can be bloated with pre-installed apps

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 1283 nits compared to the Nothing Phone (2a)’s 981 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both utilize AMOLED technology, the Redmi’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage for outdoor users. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) is expected to have a more efficient panel, contributing to its superior battery life. Details regarding PWM dimming rates are currently unavailable, but this is a crucial factor for users sensitive to screen flicker.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is known for its high-resolution main sensors (often exceeding 200MP in this series), which allows for detailed images and digital zoom capabilities. The Nothing Phone (2a) is expected to focus on computational photography and image processing. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the main sensor is a critical factor for low-light performance and video stabilization, and its presence on either device is currently unknown. The inclusion of a dedicated telephoto lens would also be a significant advantage.

Performance

Both devices are powered by Mediatek Dimensity 7200 series chips, featuring the same octa-core CPU configuration (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x2.0 Cortex-A510). The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ utilizes the Dimensity 7200 Ultra, while the Nothing Phone (2a) features the Dimensity 7200 Pro. While the 'Ultra' designation suggests a slight performance edge, real-world differences are likely to be minimal for most tasks. Both phones benefit from a 4nm process node, ensuring good thermal efficiency. RAM configurations and storage speeds (UFS 3.1 vs UFS 4.0) are unknown, but these factors could influence app loading times and multitasking performance.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2a) delivers a substantial 15:53-hour active use battery life, significantly outperforming the Redmi Note 13 Pro+'s 10:38 hours. This difference is likely due to a combination of software optimization and potentially a more efficient display. While the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ compensates with blazing-fast 120W wired charging (0-100% in 19 minutes), the Nothing Phone (2a)’s 45W charging (50% in 23 min, 100% in 1 hour) is still respectable. The Redmi’s charging speed is ideal for users who frequently need a quick power boost, but the Nothing Phone (2a) offers peace of mind with its longer-lasting battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) if you need exceptional battery life, a streamlined Android experience, and appreciate a distinctive design. It’s ideal for users who frequently travel or heavily rely on their phone throughout the day. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ if you prioritize incredibly fast 120W charging, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and are comfortable with Xiaomi’s MIUI software customization.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 7200 Ultra in the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ offer a noticeable gaming performance boost over the Dimensity 7200 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a)?
While the 'Ultra' designation suggests an improvement, the core CPU architecture remains identical. Any performance difference will likely be marginal and only noticeable in demanding, sustained gaming scenarios. Thermal management will play a larger role in maintaining consistent frame rates over extended periods.
❓ How does the 120W charging of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ impact long-term battery health compared to the 45W charging of the Nothing Phone (2a)?
Faster charging *can* generate more heat, potentially accelerating battery degradation over several years. However, modern smartphones employ sophisticated charging algorithms to mitigate this effect. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ likely incorporates features like charge limiting and temperature control to protect the battery. The difference in long-term battery health is likely to be minimal for most users.
❓ Is the software experience on the Nothing Phone (2a) truly 'cleaner' than MIUI on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+?
Yes. Nothing OS is known for its near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware and a focus on simplicity. MIUI, while feature-rich, often includes pre-installed apps and a more customized user interface that some users may find overwhelming. Nothing OS prioritizes a smooth and responsive experience.