The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z7s and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The iQOO Z7s focuses on delivering 5G connectivity at an accessible price, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus aims to disrupt with a unique design and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing display quality and faster charging, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and 50W charging significantly outperform the iQOO Z7s’ Snapdragon 695 and 44W charging, despite the iQOO’s potentially lower price point.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 8, 28, 77, 78 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 | 2023, May 22 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 22 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 73.5 x 7.8 mm (6.26 x 2.89 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 | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Schott Xensation glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~413 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 98.3 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, 1300 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 13, Funtouch 13 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
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 | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | 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 | 44W wired, 50% in 24 min | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Norway Blue, Pacific Night | Black, Grey |
| Models | I2223 | A142P |
| Price | About 220 EUR | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
| SAR | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | - |
vivo iQOO Z7s
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable 5G connectivity
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Less powerful processor
- Slower charging speeds
- Likely inferior display quality
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Faster charging speeds
- Longer battery life
- Higher price point
- May not be as readily available in all markets
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1097 nits. This is a substantial advantage over what we’d expect from the iQOO Z7s, making the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While the iQOO Z7s’ display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be a standard LCD panel, lacking the vibrancy and contrast of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s higher brightness also suggests a more modern panel technology, potentially with improved color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the iQOO Z7s, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely benefits from the processing power of the Dimensity 7350 Pro, enabling more sophisticated image processing algorithms. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s chipset allows for faster image capture and potentially better low-light performance. We can assume the iQOO Z7s will focus on providing a functional camera experience, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus aims for a more refined and versatile camera system.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the iQOO Z7s utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm). The Dimensity 7350 Pro, with its Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 3.0 GHz, offers a considerable performance uplift over the Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores at 2.2 GHz. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 7350 Pro also translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will handle demanding apps and games more smoothly and for longer periods.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates a clear advantage in battery performance, achieving an active use score of 16 hours and 34 minutes. While the iQOO Z7s’ 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 supports 50W wired charging, reaching 50% charge in 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes, significantly faster than the iQOO Z7s’ 44W charging which takes 24 minutes to reach 50%.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z7s if you need a reliable 5G connection on a very tight budget and aren't demanding in terms of gaming or display quality. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display, faster charging speeds, and a more capable processor for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7350 Pro, built on a 4nm process, is generally efficient and manages heat well. While some warmth is expected during intensive gaming, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s thermal design should prevent significant throttling, allowing for sustained performance. The 4nm node is a key advantage over the iQOO Z7s’ 6nm Snapdragon 695 in this regard.
❓ How does the 44W charging on the iQOO Z7s compare to the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus in real-world usage?
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging is noticeably faster. It reaches 50% charge in just 21 minutes, while the iQOO Z7s takes 24 minutes. The difference becomes even more significant when charging to 100%, with the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus completing the process in 56 minutes compared to an unknown time for the iQOO Z7s. This faster charging is a significant convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 695 and Dimensity 7350 Pro noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. While both chips can handle basic tasks, the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s more powerful CPU and GPU result in smoother animations, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience. This is particularly evident when multitasking or switching between apps.
