Sony Xperia 10 VI vs. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: A Detailed Comparison

The Sony Xperia 10 VI and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Xperia 10 VI continues Sony’s focus on media consumption and efficiency, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus aims to disrupt with a unique design and a focus on balanced performance. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing battery life and faster charging, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better choice. Its 16:34 active use score and 50W charging significantly outperform the Xperia 10 VI’s 13:56 and standard PD/QC charging. However, the Xperia 10 VI offers a slightly brighter display.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia 10 VI Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, May 152024, July 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, June 13Available. Released 2024, August 03
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions155 x 68 x 8.3 mm (6.10 x 2.68 x 0.33 in)161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight164 g (5.78 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~449 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 86.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, HDRAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 710Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 3 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm50 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
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76"
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes, 360˚
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
ChargingWired, PD, QC50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min
Type5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, Black, WhiteBlack, Grey
ModelsXQ-ES54, XQ-ES72, XQ-ES72/L2TWCX0, XQ-ES72/B2TWCX0, XQ-ES72/W2TWCX0, ‎XQES54EUKCB.GCA142P
Price€ 342.14 / $ 799.00 / £ 317.49€ 269.90 / ₹ 22,599

Sony Xperia 10 VI

  • Slightly brighter display (1010 nits)
  • Sony’s established media software features
  • Efficient Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset

  • Shorter battery life (13:56h active use)
  • Slower charging speeds (PD/QC only)
  • Less powerful CPU compared to the competition

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

  • Longer battery life (16:34h active use)
  • Faster 50W charging (100% in 56 minutes)
  • More powerful Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset

  • Slightly lower peak display brightness (1097 nits)
  • Nothing OS may not appeal to all users
  • Design may be polarizing

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize 4nm chipsets, contributing to power efficiency, but their displays differ. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a peak brightness of 1097 nits, exceeding the Xperia 10 VI’s 1010 nits, making it more readable under direct sunlight. While both likely employ OLED panels (based on market segment), neither specification details refresh rates or panel technology like LTPO. The higher peak brightness of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides a tangible benefit for outdoor users.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning suggests the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely features a more advanced primary sensor. The Xperia 10 VI, traditionally, focuses on color science and image processing rather than raw sensor size. The absence of information regarding OIS or lens apertures makes a definitive judgment impossible, but the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s ISP capabilities likely provide a more robust image processing pipeline.

Performance

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus leverages the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro, featuring a more powerful CPU configuration with 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores, compared to the Xperia 10 VI’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55). This translates to a noticeable performance advantage for the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 prioritizes efficiency, while the Dimensity 7350 Pro aims for a balance of power and efficiency. Both are built on a 4nm process, but the core architecture favors the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus clearly wins in battery performance and charging speed. Its active use score of 16:34h significantly surpasses the Xperia 10 VI’s 13:56h. Furthermore, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports 50W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes, a substantial improvement over the Xperia 10 VI’s standard PD/QC charging, which lacks specific timing details. This faster charging is crucial for users who need to quickly top up their device.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sony Xperia 10 VI if you prioritize a slightly brighter display for outdoor visibility and value Sony’s established media-centric software features. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer longer battery life, significantly faster charging speeds, and a more modern, eye-catching design with a more powerful processor for demanding tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus get noticeably warm during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 7350 Pro is a capable chipset, sustained gaming will inevitably generate heat. However, the 4nm process and Nothing’s thermal management design should prevent significant throttling, providing a consistently smooth gaming experience. The Xperia 10 VI’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, while efficient, will likely exhibit more performance limitations under prolonged load.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compare to other phones in its price range?
The 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is considerably faster than many competitors in the mid-range segment, which often top out at 33W or 25W. Achieving a full charge in 56 minutes is a significant advantage for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Is the software experience on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus significantly different from stock Android?
Nothing OS is based on Android but features a unique visual style and some custom features, including the Glyph Interface. It aims for a clean and minimalist experience, but it's not identical to stock Android. Users accustomed to pure Android may notice the differences, while others may appreciate the added customization.