Realme 14 vs Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Contenders

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 14 and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options for users seeking a balance of features and affordability. The Realme 14 focuses on long-term battery health and efficient processing, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus prioritizes display quality and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained battery life and a proven chipset, the Realme 14 emerges as the winner. Its 70:12h endurance and 1400 charge cycles offer peace of mind. However, users who value a brighter display and quicker charging will find the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus more appealing.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme 14 Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
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
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, March 272024, July 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, March 27Available. Released 2024, August 03
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.1 x 75.7 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.98 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 + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionMohs level 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.3 GHz Cortex-A720s & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A720s & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520s)Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 810Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 15, Realme UI 6.0Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 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
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF, OIS-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1/3.0"50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76"
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes, 360˚
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-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 30 min Bypass charging50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, Titanium, PinkBlack, Grey
ModelsRMX5070A142P
PriceAbout 490 EUR€ 269.90 / ₹ 22,599
EU LABEL
Battery70:12h endurance, 1400 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass C (90 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Realme 14

  • Exceptional battery endurance (70:12h)
  • Long-term battery health with 1400 charge cycles
  • Efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 chipset

  • Display brightness data unavailable
  • Charging speed slower than the competition

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

  • Bright and vibrant display (1097 nits)
  • Faster charging (50W, 56 min to full)
  • Potentially stronger CPU performance

  • Shorter battery life (16:34h)
  • Battery health longevity unknown

Display Comparison

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significant advantage in display technology, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1097 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Realme 14, which lacks specific brightness data. While the Realme 14’s panel characteristics are unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s high brightness is a clear benefit for outdoor users and media consumers. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests both will rely on adaptive refresh rates to conserve power, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brighter panel will likely consume more energy at peak brightness.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are limited, but we can infer some differences. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes on the Realme 14 suggests it likely employs a more standard configuration. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, while also lacking detailed specs, benefits from the brand’s focus on image quality. Without knowing aperture values or OIS implementation on either device, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brand reputation suggests a more refined image processing pipeline.

Performance

Under the hood, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus leverages the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm) with a CPU configuration of 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. This contrasts with the Realme 14’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 (4nm) featuring 1x2.3 GHz Cortex-A720s, 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A720s, and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520s cores. While core counts are similar, the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s higher clock speeds on its prime cores suggest a performance edge in demanding tasks. However, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4’s architecture, utilizing newer Cortex-A720 series cores, may offer improved efficiency and sustained performance. The 4nm process node on both chipsets indicates comparable thermal efficiency, but real-world throttling will depend on each phone’s cooling solution.

Battery Life

Battery life is a key differentiator. The Realme 14 boasts an impressive 70:12h endurance score and a remarkable 1400 charge cycles, indicating exceptional longevity and resistance to battery degradation. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus achieves 16:34h of active use, a respectable figure, but significantly lower than the Realme 14. Charging speeds differ as well: the Realme 14 supports 45W wired charging, reaching 50% in 30 minutes, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers 50W charging, achieving 50% in 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s faster charging is convenient, but the Realme 14’s superior endurance and battery health promise long-term value.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme 14 if you need exceptional battery longevity, are concerned about long-term battery degradation, and prioritize a stable, well-established chipset. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer a vibrant, high-brightness display for outdoor use, demand faster charging speeds, and appreciate a more minimalist software experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 in the Realme 14 struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 4 is a capable chipset, Genshin Impact is a demanding title. Expect to play at medium settings for a smooth experience. The Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus may offer slightly better performance in this scenario due to its higher clock speeds, but both phones will likely require some graphical compromises.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compare to other 65W or 80W charging solutions?
While 50W isn't the fastest charging available, it's still a respectable speed. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus reaches 50% charge in 21 minutes, which is competitive with many 65W implementations. The difference between 50W and 80W is most noticeable when charging from 50% to 100%, where the faster solution will save a few minutes.
❓ Is the Realme 14's 1400 charge cycle claim realistic for typical usage?
Realme's claim of 1400 charge cycles is based on specific testing conditions. However, it indicates a commitment to battery health and suggests the phone is designed to retain a significant portion of its capacity even after extended use. This is a major advantage over phones with lower-rated batteries.