The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Camon 20 Pro and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options. The Camon 20 Pro aims to deliver a feature-rich experience at an aggressive price point, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus focuses on a refined user experience and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and faster 50W charging significantly outperform the Tecno Camon 20 Pro’s Helio G99 and 33W charging, despite the Camon 20 Pro’s potentially lower price.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 09 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 09 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 76.7 x 7.8 mm (6.43 x 3.02 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 | - | 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 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 13, HIOS 13 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 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 | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Predawn Black, Serenity Blue | Black, Grey |
| Models | CK7n | A142P |
| Price | - | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Tecno Camon 20 Pro
- Potentially lower price point
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Likely large internal storage options
- Inferior chipset performance
- Slower charging speed
- Likely lower display brightness
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Significantly faster processor
- Faster charging (50W)
- Brighter, more vibrant display
- Potentially higher price
- May not include a charger in the box (common for Nothing)
- Software updates may be less frequent than some competitors
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1097 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a clear advantage over the Tecno Camon 20 Pro, whose brightness is not specified but is likely lower given its chipset and price point. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s higher brightness and potentially better color calibration (based on Nothing’s design philosophy) provide a superior viewing experience. The absence of LTPO technology in either phone suggests neither will dynamically adjust refresh rates for optimal power saving.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the Tecno Camon 20 Pro, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to offer a more refined image processing pipeline. The focus should be on the main sensor quality and aperture. While megapixel count isn't everything, a larger sensor generally captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s image processing is likely tuned for a more natural look, while Tecno often emphasizes vibrant, sometimes oversaturated colors. The absence of OIS information for either phone suggests image stabilization relies primarily on software algorithms.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Tecno Camon 20 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G99 (6nm). The Dimensity 7350 Pro features newer Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 3.0 GHz, compared to the G99’s Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz. This translates to a noticeable performance boost in demanding applications and games. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 7350 Pro also offers improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended use. While both phones feature 8GB of RAM (assumed based on market segment), the faster chipset in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will leverage that RAM more effectively.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates a clear advantage in battery performance, achieving an active use score of 16:34 hours. While the Tecno Camon 20 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s combination of a power-efficient chipset and optimized software delivers superior endurance. Furthermore, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W wired charging (50% in 21 minutes, 100% in 56 minutes) is significantly faster than the Tecno Camon 20 Pro’s 33W charging, minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 20 Pro if you need a phone primarily for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media, and are on a very tight budget. Its Helio G99 is sufficient for these workloads. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize smoother multitasking, gaming, faster charging, and a brighter, more vibrant display – all hallmarks of its more powerful Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s 4nm process node is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive gaming, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to manage temperatures effectively, minimizing throttling and maintaining consistent performance for longer periods compared to the Tecno Camon 20 Pro’s Helio G99.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Tecno Camon 20 Pro slow compared to the 50W on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus?
Yes, 33W charging is considerably slower. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus can reach 50% charge in just 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes. The Tecno Camon 20 Pro will take significantly longer to fully charge, potentially exceeding 90 minutes, impacting convenience for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the two phones?
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus runs Nothing OS, known for its clean, minimalist interface and unique Glyph Interface. The Tecno Camon 20 Pro utilizes HiOS, which is more feature-rich but can sometimes feel cluttered with pre-installed apps and customizations. Nothing OS prioritizes a smooth, near-stock Android experience.
