The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 15 Lite and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag. The Realme focuses on rapid charging and a value-oriented chipset, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus prioritizes a refined user experience and strong battery endurance. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and performance of each device to determine which one reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a polished software experience, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better choice. Its 16:34 hour active use score significantly outperforms what we'd expect from the Realme 15 Lite, despite the latter's faster charging. However, users heavily focused on minimizing charging times will find the Realme 15 Lite's 80W charging a compelling advantage.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 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 | 2025, October | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 74.7 x 7.6 mm (6.37 x 2.94 x 0.30 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 | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 Energy (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G615 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 15, Realme UI 6.0 | 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 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.95", PDAF, OIS
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, OIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | 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, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical); unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Satin Green, Glitter Gold, Electric Purple | Black, Grey |
| Models | RMX5000 | A142P |
| Price | About 170 EUR | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Realme 15 Lite
- 80W SuperVOOC charging for incredibly fast top-ups
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Modern 4nm Dimensity 7300 Energy chipset
- Likely shorter battery life compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Display brightness likely lower than the competition
- Camera system details are currently unknown
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Exceptional 16:34 hour active use battery life
- Bright 1097 nit display for excellent outdoor visibility
- More modern CPU architecture (Dimensity 7350 Pro)
- Slower 50W charging compared to the Realme 15 Lite
- Potentially higher price point
- Software experience may not appeal to all users
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1097 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a clear advantage over the Realme 15 Lite, whose display brightness is not specified but likely falls below this mark given its focus on other areas. While both likely utilize OLED panels for vibrant colors, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s higher brightness translates to a more usable experience in direct sunlight. The absence of LTPO technology in either phone suggests both will rely on adaptive refresh rates to conserve power, but the brighter panel of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will be more impactful in everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Realme 15 Lite, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to feature a more sophisticated camera system, focusing on image quality and processing. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the Realme 15 Lite suggests the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will likely offer superior low-light performance and smoother video recording. The focus should be on the main sensor capabilities of each device, as the inclusion of 2MP macro lenses on either phone adds little practical value.
Performance
Both phones are powered by Mediatek Dimensity chips fabricated on a 4nm process, promising efficiency. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus utilizes the Dimensity 7350 Pro, featuring a more modern CPU architecture with 2x 3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores and 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. The Realme 15 Lite employs the Dimensity 7300 Energy, with 4x 2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 4x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The A715 cores in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent a generational leap in performance and efficiency over the A78 cores in the Realme, suggesting a smoother experience in demanding tasks and potentially better sustained performance under load. While both likely pair their chipsets with 8GB of RAM, the LPDDR5x specification isn't confirmed for the Realme, potentially giving the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus a slight edge in memory bandwidth.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 16:34 hours of active use. While the Realme 15 Lite’s battery capacity is unknown, its 80W wired charging is a significant advantage, capable of delivering a 50% charge in under 30 minutes. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus takes 21 minutes to reach 50% and 56 minutes for a full charge with its 50W charging. This means the Realme 15 Lite can quickly top up, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers substantially longer usage between charges. The trade-off is speed versus longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 15 Lite if you need the absolute fastest charging speeds and are willing to trade some battery endurance for it. This phone is ideal for users who frequently find themselves needing a quick power boost throughout the day. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer a longer-lasting battery, a brighter display, and a more refined software experience. This phone is best suited for users who prioritize usability and don't want to constantly worry about battery percentage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ How does the Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
The Dimensity 7350 Pro, with its more modern CPU architecture and efficient 4nm process, is well-equipped to handle Genshin Impact. Expect playable frame rates at medium to high settings, though sustained performance will depend on thermal management. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s cooling system will be key to preventing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus slow compared to the 80W on the Realme 15 Lite, and will it significantly impact my daily routine?
While 50W is slower than 80W, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus still reaches 50% charge in 21 minutes, which is reasonably quick. However, the longer battery life of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus means you may not need to charge as frequently, mitigating the impact of the slower charging speed. The Realme 15 Lite is better for those who need a quick boost, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus prioritizes overall endurance.
❓ Does the Realme 15 Lite support features like 5G connectivity and NFC for mobile payments?
Given its positioning and chipset, the Realme 15 Lite is highly likely to support 5G connectivity. NFC support is also probable, as it's a standard feature in most modern smartphones within this price range. However, official confirmation from Realme is needed to verify these features.
