The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Camon 30S and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The Camon 30S aims for affordability, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus attempts to balance style with solid performance. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 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 and 1097 nit display offer a noticeable advantage over the Tecno Camon 30S, despite the latter's faster charging claims.
| 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, October 10 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, October 10 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 74.6 x 7.6 mm (6.48 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 | - | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | 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, 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 | 128GB 6GB RAM, 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 | 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 | 13 MP | 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 | 33W wired, 0-100% in 45 min | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Nebula Violet, Blue, Celestial Black, Dawn Gold | Black, Grey |
| Models | CLA5 | A142P |
| Price | About 200 EUR | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Tecno Camon 30S
- Potentially lower price point
- Faster advertised charging speed (0-100% in 45 mins)
- Helio G100 is power efficient for basic tasks
- Less powerful chipset compared to Dimensity 7350 Pro
- Likely lower display brightness
- Unknown battery capacity
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- More powerful Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset
- Significantly brighter display (1097 nits)
- Excellent battery life (16:34h active use)
- Slightly slower full charge time (56 mins)
- Potentially higher price
- May not be as readily available in all markets
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1097 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Tecno Camon 30S. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While panel technology isn't specified for either, the brightness difference is a key advantage for the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. The absence of LTPO on either device suggests both will rely on adaptive refresh rates to conserve battery, but the superior brightness of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will be more impactful for daily use.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Tecno Camon 30S, 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) – details not provided for either device. Ignoring the typical 2MP macro lenses found on both, the overall camera experience will likely lean towards the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus due to its more powerful chipset enabling better computational photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Tecno Camon 30S 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 4nm process node is inherently more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance under load. The CPU architecture also favors the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, with its Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 3.0 GHz versus the Camon 30S’s Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz. This translates to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience, particularly for demanding applications and games.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates superior real-world battery performance, achieving an active use score of 16:34 hours. While the Tecno Camon 30S’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s longevity is a significant advantage. Charging speeds differ considerably: the Tecno Camon 30S claims 0-100% in 45 minutes with 33W charging, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus reaches 50% in 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes with 50W charging. Although the Tecno boasts a faster initial charge, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s higher wattage and overall efficiency provide a more complete charging solution.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 30S if you prioritize maximizing value and need a phone that charges quickly, even if it means sacrificing some processing power. It's ideal for everyday tasks and light social media use. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you demand smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and a more vibrant viewing experience, and are willing to spend a bit more for those benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact smoothly?
Yes, the Dimensity 7350 Pro is a capable chipset for gaming. Its Cortex-A715 cores and improved GPU architecture will deliver a significantly smoother experience in demanding titles like Genshin Impact compared to the Helio G100 in the Tecno Camon 30S, allowing for higher frame rates and more stable performance.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compare to the 33W charging on the Tecno Camon 30S in terms of heat generation?
While 50W is higher than 33W, the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s 4nm process node contributes to better thermal efficiency. This means the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is likely to generate less heat during charging despite the higher wattage, potentially prolonging battery lifespan and maintaining performance during charging.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The 1097 nits peak brightness of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus makes a substantial difference, especially when viewing content outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The Tecno Camon 30S’s display will likely appear washed out in comparison under similar conditions.
