The Tecno Pova Curve and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The Pova Curve aggressively targets fast charging and gaming, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus focuses on a refined user experience and all-day battery life. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained battery life and a cleaner software experience, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better choice. Its 16:34 hour active use score significantly outperforms the Pova Curve’s unlisted figure, and the 50W charging, while slower than the Pova Curve’s 45W, is sufficient for most users. However, gamers and those needing rapid top-ups will appreciate the Pova Curve’s charging speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 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 | 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 | 2025, May 29 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June 05 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 74.6 x 7.5 mm (6.47 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 | 188.5 g (6.67 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i | 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 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 144Hz, 2304Hz PWM, 1300 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 Ultimate (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G615 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 15, planned upgrade to Android 16, HIOS 15 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 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@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 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 | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 50% in 15 min, 100% in 45 min | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Neon Cyan, Magic Silver, Geek Black | Black, Grey |
| Models | LJ8k | A142P |
| Price | About 170 EUR | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Tecno Pova Curve
- Faster 45W charging for quick top-ups
- Potentially stronger sustained gaming performance due to A78 cores
- Aggressive pricing may offer better value
- Battery life likely shorter than Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Display brightness likely lower, impacting outdoor visibility
- Camera performance details are unknown
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Exceptional 16:34 hour active use battery life
- Brighter 1097 nit display for better outdoor viewing
- More refined software experience
- Slower 50W charging compared to Tecno Pova Curve
- Dimensity 7350 Pro may throttle more under sustained load
- Higher price point
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 Pova Curve, whose peak brightness is not specified. While both utilize LCD panels, the (2a) Plus’s higher brightness translates to a more usable experience in direct sunlight. The absence of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate scaling isn’t as efficient as on flagship phones, but the (2a) Plus’s brightness advantage is a key differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are missing for the Tecno Pova Curve, making a direct comparison challenging. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s camera system is likely to offer a more consistent experience. The focus should be on the main sensor performance, and without knowing the Pova Curve’s sensor size and aperture, it’s difficult to assess its low-light capabilities. The (2a) Plus’s image processing style leans towards natural colors, while Tecno often employs more aggressive sharpening and saturation. Users prioritizing realistic image reproduction will likely prefer the (2a) Plus.
Performance
Both phones leverage Mediatek’s 4nm Dimensity series, but with different approaches. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus utilizes the Dimensity 7350 Pro, featuring 2x 3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores and 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. The Tecno Pova Curve employs the Dimensity 7300 Ultimate, with 4x 2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 4x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. While clock speeds aren’t everything, the A715 cores in the (2a) Plus represent a newer architecture, potentially offering improved single-core performance. However, the Pova Curve’s A78 cores are known for strong sustained performance, potentially benefiting longer gaming sessions. Thermal management will be critical; without specific testing data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the newer architecture of the (2a) Plus suggests better efficiency.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 16:34 hours of active use. While the Tecno Pova Curve’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its 45W charging is faster than the (2a) Plus’s 50W, reaching 50% in 15 minutes versus 21 minutes. However, the (2a) Plus’s longer battery life mitigates the slower charging speed for many users. The Pova Curve reaches 100% in 45 minutes, while the (2a) Plus takes 56 minutes. The trade-off is clear: the Pova Curve prioritizes quick top-ups, while the (2a) Plus offers all-day endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pova Curve if you need the absolute fastest charging speeds and prioritize gaming performance, even if it means potentially shorter battery life. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer a more balanced experience with exceptional battery endurance, a brighter display, and a minimalist software approach. The (2a) Plus is ideal for users who value longevity and a refined aesthetic.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 7300 Ultimate in the Tecno Pova Curve suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 7300 Ultimate is a capable chip, without independent thermal testing, it's difficult to say definitively. However, the Cortex-A78 cores are known to generate more heat under sustained load compared to the newer Cortex-A715 cores in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. Expect some throttling, but the Pova Curve’s aggressive cooling solutions (if present) may mitigate this.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compare to the 45W charging on the Tecno Pova Curve in real-world usage?
Although the Pova Curve’s 45W charging is faster to 50% (15 minutes vs 21 minutes), the difference in 0-100% charge times is less dramatic (45 minutes vs 56 minutes). The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s superior battery life means you’ll likely need to charge less frequently, making the slightly slower charging speed less of an issue for most users.
❓ Is the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s software experience significantly different from Tecno’s HiOS?
Yes. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus runs Nothing OS, a near-stock Android experience with a minimalist design and focus on usability. Tecno’s HiOS is heavily customized with additional features and pre-installed apps, which some users may find bloatware. The (2a) Plus offers a cleaner, more streamlined software experience.
