Nothing Phone (3a) Lite vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G: A Deep Dive Comparison

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite and Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. While both aim to deliver a solid experience, they take different approaches – the Nothing prioritizing processing power and long-term battery health, while the Xiaomi focuses on display brightness and rapid charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and longevity, the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Pro chipset offers a significant performance advantage over the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G’s Helio G99 Ultra, coupled with exceptional battery endurance. However, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G’s faster charging is a notable advantage for those who need quick top-ups.

PHONES
Phone Names Nothing Phone (3a) Lite Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, October 292024, January 15
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, October 29Available. Released 2024, January 15
Body
BuildGlass front (Panda Glass), plastic frame, glass back (Panda Glass)Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164 x 78 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 3.07 x 0.33 in)161.1 x 75 x 8 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
ProtectionPanda Glass, Mohs level 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2392 pixels (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.77 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR, 800 nits (typ), 1300 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7300 Pro (4 nm)Mediatek Helio G99 Ultra
GPUMali-G615 MC2Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.5Android 13, up to 3 major Android upgrades, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.4", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio
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, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, 50% in 20 min 5W reverse wired67W wired, 50% in 16 min, 100% in 46 min
Type5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, BlueMidnight Black, Lavender Purple, Forest Green
ModelsA001T23117RA68G, 2312FPCA6G
PriceAbout 250 EUR€ 92.00 / $ 269.99 / £ 299.99
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.09 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.98 W/kg (head)     1.28 W/kg (body)0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery53:56h endurance, 1400 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass C (90 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Nothing Phone (3a) Lite

  • Superior chipset performance with the Dimensity 7300 Pro
  • Exceptional battery life (53:56h endurance)
  • Long-term battery health with 1400 charge cycles

  • Charging speed is slower than the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G
  • Display brightness likely lower than the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G

  • Very fast 67W wired charging (full charge in 46 minutes)
  • High peak display brightness (1047 nits)
  • Potentially more affordable price point

  • Inferior chipset performance with the Helio G99 Ultra
  • Significantly shorter battery life (11:36h endurance)

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1047 nits. This is a clear advantage for outdoor use under direct sunlight. While the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite’s display specs aren’t provided, it’s likely to be dimmer. The Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G’s brightness is a key differentiator, but the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite may compensate with potentially better color accuracy or viewing angles, though this is speculative without further data. Bezels and panel technology (e.g., AMOLED vs. LCD) are unknown for the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite, impacting overall visual quality.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature cameras, but detailed sensor information is limited. The Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G’s camera is advertised as having photo/video capabilities, but without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or optical image stabilization (OIS), it’s difficult to assess its performance. The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite’s camera specs are also missing. It’s crucial to avoid focusing on the often-underperforming 2MP macro lenses commonly found in this price range and instead prioritize the main sensor’s capabilities. Image processing algorithms will also play a significant role, and without sample images, it’s impossible to determine which phone produces more pleasing results.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite’s Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Pro (4nm) is architecturally superior to the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G’s Helio G99 Ultra. The Dimensity 7300 Pro utilizes more efficient Cortex-A78 cores (4x2.5 GHz) alongside Cortex-A55 cores, while the Helio G99 Ultra relies on older Cortex-A76 (2x2.2 GHz) and A55 cores. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 7300 Pro translates to better thermal efficiency and power consumption, meaning less throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. This will result in smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience on the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite demonstrates exceptional battery endurance, achieving 53:56h in testing, and is rated for 1400 charge cycles, indicating long-term battery health. The Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G, with an active use score of 11:36h, falls significantly behind in endurance. However, the Xiaomi compensates with 67W wired charging, reaching 50% in just 16 minutes and a full charge in 46 minutes, compared to the Nothing’s 33W charging (50% in 20 minutes). The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite prioritizes longevity, while the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G focuses on speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite if you need a phone that will remain responsive for years to come, and value long-term battery health alongside solid performance for demanding apps and moderate gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G if you prioritize a very bright display for outdoor visibility and need the fastest possible charging speeds, even if it comes at the cost of some processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Pro in the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite handle demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile smoothly?
The Dimensity 7300 Pro is a capable chipset that should handle most mobile games at medium to high settings. Its efficient architecture and powerful cores will provide a smoother experience compared to the Helio G99 Ultra, especially during extended gaming sessions. However, achieving consistently high frame rates will depend on the game's optimization and the phone's thermal management.
❓ How does the 67W charging on the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G compare to the 33W charging on the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite in real-world usage?
The Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G’s 67W charging is significantly faster. While both phones reach 50% charge in around 20 minutes, the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G can achieve a full charge in just 46 minutes, compared to the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite’s longer charging time. This makes the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G ideal for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Given the difference in battery endurance, how much does the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite's 1400 charge cycle rating matter for long-term ownership?
The 1400 charge cycle rating on the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite is a significant benefit. It indicates that the battery will retain a higher percentage of its original capacity after two years of typical use compared to the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G. This translates to less noticeable battery degradation over time, extending the phone's usable lifespan.