The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z7x and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The iQOO Z7x prioritizes rapid charging and a focus on value, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus aims for a more refined experience with a brighter display and a newer chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and a brighter, more vibrant display, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the winner. Its Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and 1097 nit display offer a smoother and more enjoyable experience, despite the slower charging speed compared to the iQOO Z7x.
| 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, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 20 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 24 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.36 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 | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | 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 (Global), Origin OS 3 (China) | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 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 | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 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 | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, 70% in 34 min | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Tropical Blue, Metallic Grey, Orange | Black, Grey |
| Models | V2272A | A142P |
| Price | About 180 EUR | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
vivo iQOO Z7x
- Extremely fast 80W charging
- Potentially lower price point
- 5G connectivity
- Less powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Likely lower display brightness and quality
- Unknown battery capacity
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- More powerful and efficient Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset
- Brighter and higher-quality display (1097 nits)
- Longer battery life (16:34h active use)
- Slower 50W charging
- Potentially higher price
- Software experience may be polarizing
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1097 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the iQOO Z7x. This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the iQOO Z7x’s panel specifications are unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s superior brightness is a clear advantage for media consumption and everyday use. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely utilizes an AMOLED panel, offering superior contrast and color accuracy, while the iQOO Z7x may use an IPS LCD, which is typically less vibrant.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the iQOO Z7x, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to have a more sophisticated camera system, leveraging the processing power of the Dimensity 7350 Pro for improved image processing. The focus should be on the main sensor resolution and aperture; larger sensors and wider apertures capture more light, resulting in better low-light performance. The iQOO Z7x likely relies on software optimization to compensate for potentially less capable hardware, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has the hardware advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the iQOO Z7x utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm). The Dimensity 7350 Pro, built on a more efficient 4nm process, offers a substantial performance uplift, particularly in CPU-intensive tasks. Its Cortex-A715 cores, clocked at 3.0 GHz, outperform the Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores at 2.2 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. The 4nm node also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates impressive battery life, achieving an active use score of 16 hours and 34 minutes. While the iQOO Z7x’s battery capacity is unknown, its 80W wired charging is significantly faster than the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging. The iQOO Z7x can reach 70% charge in just 34 minutes, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus takes 56 minutes for a full charge. However, the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s 4nm efficiency may offset the slower charging speed, providing comparable or even better overall battery endurance in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z7x if you absolutely need the fastest possible charging and are willing to compromise on raw processing power and display quality. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and prioritize quick bursts of power. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you value a brighter, more modern display, a more efficient chipset for sustained performance, and a cleaner software experience, even if it means slightly slower charging.
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 is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, the chip is less prone to throttling compared to the Snapdragon 695 in the iQOO Z7x, allowing for more sustained performance over longer periods.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the iQOO Z7x impact battery health over the long term?
While 80W charging is incredibly fast, consistently using extremely fast charging can potentially accelerate battery degradation over several years. However, modern smartphones employ battery management systems to mitigate this effect, and the convenience of rapid charging often outweighs the minor long-term impact.
❓ Is the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus's software experience significantly different from standard Android?
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus runs Nothing OS, which is a near-stock Android experience with a unique visual design and a focus on simplicity. It offers a cleaner interface and fewer pre-installed apps compared to many other Android skins, appealing to users who prefer a minimalist approach.
