The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Camon 30S Pro and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options. The Camon 30S Pro aims to deliver a feature-rich experience at an aggressive price point, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus focuses on a refined software experience and a distinctive design. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a brighter display, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the stronger contender. Its Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset, coupled with a measured peak brightness of 1097 nits, provides a smoother user experience and better visibility in outdoor conditions. However, the Tecno Camon 30S Pro offers competitive charging speeds and a 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 | 2024, July 30 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 74.6 x 7.8 mm (6.48 x 2.94 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 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.9 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1300 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| 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 G100 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, HIOS 14 | 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 | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, AF | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 0-100% in 45 min
20W wireless | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Interstellar Grey, Pearl Gold, Shim Silver Green | Black, Grey |
| Models | CLA6 | A142P |
| Price | - | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Tecno Camon 30S Pro
- Faster wired charging (45W)
- Wireless charging support (20W)
- Potentially lower price point
- Less powerful chipset (Helio G100)
- Likely lower display brightness
- Potentially less efficient thermal management
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- More powerful chipset (Dimensity 7350 Pro)
- Significantly brighter display (1097 nits)
- Longer battery life (16:34h active use)
- Slower wired charging than Tecno (50W)
- No wireless charging support
- Higher price point
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significant advantage in display brightness, achieving a measured peak of 1097 nits. This translates to superior visibility under direct sunlight compared to the Tecno Camon 30S Pro, which lacks published brightness data. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s higher brightness suggests a more advanced panel capable of delivering a more vibrant and readable image. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate scaling isn't as efficient, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s overall display quality is a clear win.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the Tecno Camon 30S Pro, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning suggests the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely benefits from more sophisticated image processing algorithms. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the focus should be on the main sensor quality and optical image stabilization (OIS). The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s image processing is known for its natural color reproduction, while Tecno often leans towards more saturated images. The absence of information regarding OIS on the Tecno Camon 30S Pro suggests the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will offer superior low-light performance and video stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Tecno Camon 30S Pro utilizes the Mediatek Helio G100 (6nm), while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features the more advanced Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm). The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s newer Cortex-A715 cores, clocked at 3.0 GHz, offer a substantial performance uplift over the G100’s Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 7350 Pro also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. This translates to a smoother experience for demanding tasks and games on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 16:34 hours. While the Tecno Camon 30S Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s longevity is a significant benefit for power users. Charging speeds are competitive: the Tecno Camon 30S Pro offers 45W wired charging (0-100% in 45 minutes) and 20W wireless, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides 50W wired charging (50% in 21 minutes, 100% in 56 minutes). The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s faster initial charge is convenient, but the Tecno’s wireless charging capability is a differentiating factor.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 30S Pro if you prioritize fast charging and are on a strict budget, willing to trade some processing power for quicker top-ups and potentially a lower upfront cost. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you value a more responsive user experience, a brighter and more visible display, and longer battery life during active use, even if it means a slightly longer charging time.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7350 Pro, built on a 4nm process, is generally efficient. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive gaming, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s thermal management system is designed to mitigate throttling and maintain stable performance for extended periods. It's less prone to overheating than the Helio G100 in the Tecno Camon 30S Pro.
❓ How does the 45W charging on the Tecno Camon 30S Pro compare to the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus in real-world use?
While 45W sounds impressive, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging is more efficient, reaching 50% charge in just 21 minutes. The Tecno Camon 30S Pro takes 45 minutes for a full charge, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus completes a full charge in 56 minutes. The faster initial charge on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is more convenient for quick top-ups.
❓ Is the 20W wireless charging on the Tecno Camon 30S Pro a significant advantage?
Wireless charging is a convenience feature, and 20W is a respectable speed. However, it's slower than wired charging, and the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus doesn't offer wireless charging at all. If you frequently use wireless chargers, the Tecno Camon 30S Pro is the better choice. Otherwise, the faster wired charging of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is more practical.
