The Realme 14x (India) and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The Realme focuses on delivering solid performance at an aggressive price point, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus aims for a more refined experience with a focus on design and battery endurance. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a brighter display, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the stronger contender. Its Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset, coupled with its impressive 16:34 hour active use battery life and 1097 nits peak brightness, offers a more premium experience, justifying its likely higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 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, 40, 41, 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, December 18 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 22 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76.2 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 3.00 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 | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 625 nits | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 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 |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired
5W reverse wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Crystal Black, Golden Glow, Jewel Red | Black, Grey |
| Models | - | A142P |
| Price | ₹ 12,450 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Realme 14x (India)
- Likely more affordable price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- 45W fast charging
- Inferior chipset compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Likely lower display brightness
- Potentially less refined software experience
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Superior performance with Dimensity 7350 Pro
- Excellent battery life (16:34h active use)
- Brighter display (1097 nits)
- Likely higher price
- 50W charging, while fast, is only marginally faster than the Realme
- Design may not appeal to all users
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significant advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1097 nits. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight, a common pain point for smartphone users. While the Realme 14x’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls short of this peak brightness. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s panel likely benefits from its more advanced chipset allowing for more efficient display driving. The Realme 14x will likely be adequate for indoor use, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a demonstrably better viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Realme 14x, a direct comparison is limited. However, the mid-range segment often prioritizes megapixel count over sensor size and image processing. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely benefits from a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Dimensity 7350 Pro, enabling better dynamic range and noise reduction. The Realme 14x will likely offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to perform better in challenging scenarios like low-light photography. We can assume the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will have a more consistent camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme 14x utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm), while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features the Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm). The 4nm process node of the 7350 Pro is a key advantage, offering improved power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 6nm Dimensity 6300. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s CPU, with its 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores, also provides a performance uplift over the Realme’s 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience, particularly for demanding tasks. Both phones utilize 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55/A510 cores for efficiency, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s overall architecture is more modern and capable.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 16:34 hours of active use. While the Realme 14x’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s endurance is a significant selling point. Furthermore, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports 50W wired charging, reaching 50% charge in just 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes. The Realme 14x’s 45W charging is respectable, but slower. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s combination of long battery life and fast charging provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 14x (India) if you need a highly affordable device for everyday tasks and light gaming, and are comfortable with potentially less refined software. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize longer battery life, a brighter and more vibrant display, and a more powerful processor for demanding applications and smoother multitasking.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s 4nm process node is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While some heat generation is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to manage temperatures better than devices with less efficient chipsets, minimizing throttling and maintaining consistent performance.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compare to other phones with similar wattage?
While 50W charging is becoming increasingly common, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s implementation is optimized for its battery capacity and charging circuitry. The advertised 50% charge in 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes indicates efficient power delivery, likely utilizing protocols like Power Delivery (PD) for faster and safer charging.
❓ Is the Realme 14x a good choice for playing PUBG Mobile?
The Realme 14x, with its Dimensity 6300, can run PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, with its more powerful chipset, will offer a smoother and more visually appealing PUBG Mobile experience at higher settings.
❓ What kind of software experience can I expect from the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus?
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus runs Nothing OS, known for its clean, minimalist interface and focus on user experience. It aims to provide a bloatware-free experience with unique design elements and a focus on customization.
