The Realme C73 and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus occupy interesting spaces in the mid-range smartphone market. The C73 aims for aggressive affordability, while the (2a) Plus attempts to balance features and performance with Nothing’s signature design. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a brighter display and significantly faster charging, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the superior choice. While the Realme C73 offers a compelling price point, the (2a) Plus’s more powerful chipset and improved user experience justify the price difference.
| 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 | 2025, June 02 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June 02 | 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 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 | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", PDAF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (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 | 15W wired
5W reverse wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Jade Green, Crystal Purple, Onyx Black | Black, Grey |
| Models | - | A142P |
| Price | ₹ 10,228 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Realme C73
- More affordable price point
- Potentially longer standby time (due to lower power chipset)
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Significantly slower charging speed
- Less powerful processor
- Likely lower display brightness and quality
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Significantly faster charging (50W)
- Brighter and likely higher-quality display
- Higher price tag
- Potentially slightly shorter standby time
- Nothing's Glyph Interface may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1097 nits. This is a substantial advantage over what we’d expect from the Realme C73, making the (2a) Plus far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While the C73’s panel specifications aren’t provided, Realme typically uses LCD panels in this price bracket, which inherently have lower brightness and contrast compared to the (2a) Plus’s likely OLED panel. The (2a) Plus’s higher brightness also translates to better HDR content viewing.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Realme C73, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to have a more sophisticated camera system, benefiting from the processing power of the Dimensity 7350 Pro. While both phones likely feature multiple rear cameras, the (2a) Plus’s image processing algorithms will likely deliver superior dynamic range and detail. The absence of OIS information for the C73 suggests it will struggle in low-light conditions compared to a potential OIS-equipped (2a) Plus.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme C73 utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm), while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features the more powerful Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm). The 4nm process node of the 7350 Pro offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 6nm Dimensity 6300. The (2a) Plus’s CPU, with its 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the C73’s 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores, especially in demanding applications and multitasking. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother gameplay. The (2a) Plus is likely to exhibit less throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus shines in the battery and charging department. Its active use score of 16:34h demonstrates excellent battery life. Crucially, it supports 50W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in just 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes. The Realme C73, with its 15W charging, is significantly slower. While the C73 offers 5W reverse wired charging, this is a niche feature unlikely to sway most buyers. The (2a) Plus’s faster charging is a major convenience factor, minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme C73 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks and prioritize absolute affordability above all else. It’s a solid option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, faster charging, and a brighter, more vibrant display – features that enhance daily usability and long-term satisfaction.
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 (2a) Plus is expected to manage temperatures better than the Realme C73’s Dimensity 6300, minimizing throttling and maintaining consistent performance.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Realme C73 slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, 15W charging is considerably slower than the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. Expect significantly longer charging times, potentially requiring overnight charging to reach a full battery. This is a key trade-off for the C73’s lower price.
❓ How does the Realme C73 perform with multitasking and demanding apps?
The Realme C73’s Dimensity 6300 is adequate for basic multitasking and everyday apps. However, it may struggle with resource-intensive applications or running multiple apps simultaneously. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, with its more powerful processor, will offer a smoother and more responsive experience in these scenarios.
