The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme P1 Speed and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options. The P1 Speed aims for performance dominance with its Dimensity 7300 Energy chipset, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus focuses on a balanced experience with a strong emphasis on battery life and display quality. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery and a vibrant display, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better choice. Its 16:34h active use score and 1097 nits peak brightness are significant advantages. However, gamers and power users will find the Realme P1 Speed’s Dimensity 7300 Energy a more responsive performer.
| 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, October 15 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, October 20 | 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, 120Hz, 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 (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 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 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.95", PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | 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@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 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 | 5.4, 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 | 45W wired, 50% in 30 min | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Brushed Blue, Textured Titanium | Black, Grey |
| Models | - | A142P |
| Price | ₹ 19,998 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Realme P1 Speed
- Potentially stronger multi-core performance due to four Cortex-A78 cores.
- 45W fast charging offers quick top-ups.
- Competitive price point within the mid-range segment.
- Likely inferior battery life compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
- Display brightness likely lower than the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
- Camera specifications currently unknown.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Exceptional battery life with 16:34h of active use.
- Bright and vibrant display with 1097 nits peak brightness.
- Faster 50W wired charging.
- Cortex-A510 cores may exhibit slightly lower peak performance than the P1 Speed’s A78 cores.
- Price may be higher than the Realme P1 Speed.
- Design 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, making it far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While the Realme P1 Speed’s display specifications are not provided, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brightness advantage is substantial. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely utilizes a high refresh rate panel, contributing to smoother scrolling and animations, though this isn't explicitly stated. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brightness is a key differentiator for users who consume a lot of media outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Realme P1 Speed, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s camera system is expected to prioritize image quality and versatility. The focus should be on the main sensor’s resolution and aperture, as these are the most critical factors. Image processing algorithms will also play a significant role in differentiating the two devices. The absence of information on the Realme P1 Speed’s camera makes it difficult to assess its capabilities beyond speculation.
Performance
Both phones utilize Mediatek’s 4nm process, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features the Dimensity 7350 Pro, a step up from the Realme P1 Speed’s Dimensity 7300 Energy. The 7350 Pro employs two high-performance Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 3.0 GHz, compared to the P1 Speed’s four Cortex-A78 cores at 2.5 GHz. This suggests the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will exhibit stronger single-core performance, beneficial for everyday tasks and app responsiveness. However, the P1 Speed’s four A78 cores may offer competitive multi-core performance. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s chipset is likely to provide a smoother experience with graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus clearly wins in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 16:34h of active use. While the Realme P1 Speed’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s longevity is a major advantage. Furthermore, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports 50W wired charging, reaching 50% charge in just 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes. The Realme P1 Speed’s 45W charging, while respectable, is slower, taking 30 minutes to reach 50%.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme P1 Speed if you need a phone primarily for gaming, demanding applications, or frequently switch between intensive tasks. Its Dimensity 7300 Energy chipset and Cortex-A78 cores provide a noticeable performance edge. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize battery life, a bright and clear display for media consumption, and a more balanced overall experience. The 16:34h active use score and 50W charging make it ideal for users on the go.
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 7300 Energy in the Realme P1 Speed?
While both chipsets are built on a 4nm process, the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s higher clock speeds and core configuration may generate more heat under sustained load. However, Nothing’s thermal management system is likely optimized to mitigate throttling, and real-world performance will depend on the phone’s cooling solution. The P1 Speed may maintain slightly cooler temperatures, but potentially at the cost of peak performance.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compare to the 45W charging on the Realme P1 Speed in terms of real-world usability?
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus charges significantly faster, reaching 50% in 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes, compared to the P1 Speed’s 30 minutes for 50%. This difference is noticeable for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery. The faster charging speed of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides greater convenience and reduces downtime.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (Cortex-A715 vs Cortex-A78) between the two phones noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
The Cortex-A715 cores in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus are generally more efficient and offer improved single-core performance compared to the Cortex-A78 cores in the Realme P1 Speed. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive user experience in everyday tasks. While the difference may not be dramatic, it's perceptible for users who prioritize responsiveness.
