The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme Narzo 70 Pro and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options. The Narzo 70 Pro aims to deliver a premium experience at an aggressive price, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus focuses on a refined software experience and distinctive design. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the Realme Narzo 70 Pro emerges as the winner. Its Dimensity 7050, coupled with 67W charging, provides a smoother experience for demanding tasks and quicker top-ups. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus excels in battery endurance and display brightness.
| 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, March 19 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, March 19 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163 x 75.5 x 8 mm (6.42 x 2.97 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 | 195 g (6.88 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 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 600 nits (typ), 2000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | 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 | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 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 |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/3.0" | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | 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/6, dual-band | 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 | 67W wired, 50% in 19 min | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Gold | Black, Grey |
| Models | RMX3868 | A142P |
| Price | About 220 EUR | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Realme Narzo 70 Pro
- Faster 67W charging for quick power-ups
- Potentially better CPU performance for demanding tasks
- Aggressive pricing for the feature set
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Less efficient 6nm chipset may lead to more throttling
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Excellent battery life (16:34h active use)
- Brighter display (1097 nits) for outdoor visibility
- More efficient 4nm chipset
- Slower charging speed compared to the Narzo 70 Pro
- Potentially less powerful CPU for intensive gaming
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 Narzo 70 Pro, making the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus far more usable in direct sunlight. While the Narzo 70 Pro’s panel specifications aren’t provided, the brightness difference is a key differentiator. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brightness also suggests a potentially wider color gamut and better HDR performance. We'd need to test both side-by-side to confirm color accuracy, but the raw brightness advantage is clear.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Narzo 70 Pro, a direct comparison is limited. However, the focus should be on the main sensor size and image processing. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely benefits from Nothing’s image processing algorithms, aiming for a natural and balanced look. The absence of details on OIS for the Narzo 70 Pro suggests the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus may offer better low-light performance and smoother video recording. Ignoring the typical 2MP macro lenses found on both devices, the primary sensor capabilities will be the deciding factor for most users.
Performance
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro, fabricated on a more efficient 4nm process, compared to the Narzo 70 Pro’s Dimensity 7050 (6nm). This process node difference translates to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Dimensity 7350 Pro also features a newer CPU architecture – Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 3.0 GHz versus the Narzo 70 Pro’s Cortex-A78 cores at 2.6 GHz – suggesting a performance edge in CPU-intensive tasks. While both phones employ 6x Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz for efficiency, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s chipset offers a clear architectural advantage.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates a significant advantage in battery life, achieving an active use score of 16 hours and 34 minutes. While the Narzo 70 Pro’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s endurance is a major selling point. The Narzo 70 Pro compensates with faster charging – 67W, reaching 50% in 19 minutes – compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W (50% in 21 minutes, 100% in 56 minutes). This means the Narzo 70 Pro can quickly top up, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will likely last longer between charges.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 70 Pro if you need a phone that can handle demanding apps and games without significant throttling, and if fast charging is a priority. You'll benefit from its more powerful processor and quicker power replenishment. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize all-day battery life, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a cleaner, more minimalist software experience. It's the better choice for users who value longevity and a less cluttered interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 7050 in the Narzo 70 Pro throttle under sustained gaming loads?
The 6nm process of the Dimensity 7050 is less efficient than the 4nm Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. This means the Narzo 70 Pro is more likely to experience thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions, potentially leading to reduced frame rates over time. However, the extent of throttling will depend on Realme’s thermal management implementation.
❓ How does the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus's software experience differ from Realme UI?
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus runs Nothing OS, which is known for its minimalist design and near-stock Android experience. It aims to provide a cleaner, less cluttered interface compared to Realme UI, which includes more pre-installed apps and customization options. Users who prefer a streamlined software experience will likely favor Nothing OS.
❓ Is the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus slow compared to the competition?
While 50W isn't the fastest charging available, it's still reasonably quick. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus reaches 50% charge in 21 minutes. The trade-off is the longer 0-100% charge time of 56 minutes, but the excellent battery life mitigates the need for frequent full charges.
