The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord CE4 and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options. The Nord CE4 aggressively targets charging speed, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus focuses on a balanced experience with a strong emphasis on battery endurance. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing rapid replenishment, the OnePlus Nord CE4’s 100W charging is a clear winner, reaching 100% in just 29 minutes. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus edges ahead for all-day usability thanks to its impressive 16:34 hour active use battery score, making it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 77, 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 01 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 04 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.40 x 2.96 x 0.33 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 | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 900 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 720 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 14, ColorOS 14 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 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 | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 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 | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 100W wired, 100% in 29 min | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Celadon Marble, Dark Chrome | Black, Grey |
| Models | CPH2613 | A142P |
| Price | ₹ 18,999 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
| SAR | 1.16 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) | - |
OnePlus Nord CE4
- Blazing-fast 100W charging (0-100% in 29 minutes)
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 offers solid performance
- Potentially more efficient multi-core performance
- Battery life likely inferior to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Display brightness likely lower than the competition
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Excellent 16:34 hour active use battery life
- Bright 1097 nit display for outdoor visibility
- Potentially superior single-core performance
- Slower 50W charging (100% in 56 minutes)
- Dimensity 7350 Pro may throttle under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1097 nits, crucial for comfortable outdoor viewing. While the Nord CE4’s display specs aren’t provided, the brightness difference is substantial. Nothing’s panel likely offers superior readability in direct sunlight. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests both will rely on adaptive refresh rates to conserve power, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s higher peak brightness is a key advantage.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning suggests the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus may prioritize image quality with a potentially larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing. The absence of information regarding OIS on either device suggests both may rely heavily on software stabilization. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit, and should not be a deciding factor.
Performance
Both phones utilize 4nm chipsets, but their architectures differ. The OnePlus Nord CE4’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 features a 1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 prime core alongside four additional A715 cores, and three A510 efficiency cores. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus employs the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro, with a 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 configuration and six A510 cores. The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s higher clock speeds on its prime cores suggest a potential edge in single-core performance, while the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3’s core configuration might offer better multi-core efficiency. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization and thermal management.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus clearly wins in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 16:34 hours of active use. The OnePlus Nord CE4’s battery capacity is unknown, but its 100W charging capability is its defining feature. Reaching 100% charge in just 29 minutes is significantly faster than the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 56-minute full charge time. While the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers longer runtimes, the Nord CE4 provides unparalleled convenience for users who need a quick power boost.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus Nord CE4 if you frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery quickly and value the convenience of extremely fast charging. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize long-lasting battery life, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a more refined software experience with Nothing OS.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in the OnePlus Nord CE4 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is a capable chipset, its thermal performance will depend on OnePlus’s cooling solution. Without specific details on the cooling system, it’s possible the phone could experience throttling during prolonged, graphically intensive gaming. The 4nm process helps, but sustained peak performance is not guaranteed.
❓ How does the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s software experience compare to OxygenOS on the OnePlus Nord CE4?
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus runs Nothing OS, known for its clean, minimalist interface and unique Glyph Interface. OxygenOS on the OnePlus Nord CE4 has evolved but still includes some pre-installed bloatware and a more feature-rich, sometimes cluttered, experience. Users who prefer a streamlined, near-stock Android experience will likely favor Nothing OS.
❓ Is the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus slow compared to other phones?
While 50W is slower than the Nord CE4’s 100W, it’s still a respectable charging speed. It takes 56 minutes to reach 100%, which is sufficient for overnight charging or a quick top-up during downtime. The trade-off is longer battery life, making the slower charging speed less of a concern for many users.
