The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme Narzo 50 Pro and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options. The Narzo 50 Pro, while an older model, offers a strong value proposition, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus brings a newer chipset and a distinctive design to the table. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a brighter display and future-proofing, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better choice. Its newer Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and significantly faster charging outweigh the Narzo 50 Pro’s lower price. However, budget-conscious users will find the Narzo 50 Pro a capable performer.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 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 | 2022, May 18 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 26 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 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 | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| 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 | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide) | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 Direct | 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 | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Hyper Blue, Hyper Black | Black, Grey |
| Models | RMX3395, RMX3396 | A142P |
| Price | About 270 EUR | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Realme Narzo 50 Pro
- Faster wired charging than many competitors in its price range.
- Potentially lower price point, offering excellent value.
- Capable performance for everyday tasks.
- Older chipset may struggle with demanding games.
- Display likely lacks the brightness and color accuracy of newer panels.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- More powerful and efficient Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset.
- Faster charging speeds for quicker top-ups.
- Higher price point compared to the Narzo 50 Pro.
- May not offer a significant camera upgrade over competitors.
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus clearly leads in display technology, boasting a measured peak brightness of 1097 nits. This is a substantial advantage over what we’d expect from the Narzo 50 Pro, translating to better visibility in direct sunlight. While the Narzo 50 Pro’s panel specifics aren’t provided, it’s unlikely to reach these levels. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brightness also suggests a more advanced panel capable of wider color gamuts and improved contrast. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s display is a significant upgrade for media consumption and outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the Narzo 50 Pro, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely benefits from the newer ISP (Image Signal Processor) integrated within the Dimensity 7350 Pro, enabling improved image processing and noise reduction. The focus should be on the main sensor performance, as 2MP macro lenses on either device offer limited practical value. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s image processing algorithms will likely deliver more consistent and detailed results, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Narzo 50 Pro’s Dimensity 920 (6nm). The newer Cortex-A715 cores in the 7350 Pro offer improved single-core performance, while the 4nm process node provides superior power efficiency and thermal management. This means the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is likely to sustain peak performance for longer periods during demanding tasks like gaming. The Narzo 50 Pro’s Cortex-A78 cores are still capable, but the 7350 Pro’s architecture is demonstrably more modern and efficient.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus excels in charging speed, achieving 50% charge in just 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes with its 50W wired charging. This is considerably faster than the Narzo 50 Pro’s 33W charging, which takes 31 minutes to reach 50%. While the Narzo 50 Pro’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s active use score of 16:34h demonstrates excellent battery life, likely due to the efficient Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and optimized software.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 50 Pro if you need a reliable performer with fast charging at the lowest possible price point and aren't overly concerned with having the latest chipset. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display, a more modern processor for sustained performance, and a faster charging experience, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Dimensity 920 in the Narzo 50 Pro?
The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s 4nm process is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While both phones will warm up during prolonged gaming, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to manage heat more effectively, resulting in less throttling and more consistent performance. The Narzo 50 Pro’s 6nm process is less efficient, potentially leading to more noticeable thermal throttling.
❓ How much of a real-world difference will the faster charging of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus make in daily use?
The 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a significant convenience. Reaching 50% charge in 21 minutes means you can quickly top up during a short break, whereas the Narzo 50 Pro’s 33W charging takes considerably longer. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently find themselves with low battery levels.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Dimensity 920 and Dimensity 7350 Pro noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks, the difference will be minimal. Both chipsets are capable of handling everyday usage smoothly. However, the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s superior processing power will become more apparent when multitasking, running demanding apps, or editing photos and videos.
