The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo iQOO Z9 Lite aims to undercut rivals with a focus on essential features, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus attempts to balance performance, aesthetics, and a unique user experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smooth, responsive experience and faster charging, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better choice. Its Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and 50W charging significantly outperform the iQOO Z9 Lite’s Dimensity 6300 and 15W charging, justifying the price difference.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 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 | 2024, July 15 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, July 20 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 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 | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 840 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 14, Funtouch 14 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| 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 | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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 |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | 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, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired
Reverse wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mocha Brown, Aqua Flow | Black, Grey |
| Models | I2306 | A142P |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
vivo iQOO Z9 Lite
- More affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life (depending on capacity)
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Significantly slower charging speed
- Less powerful processor
- Likely lower display brightness
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Significantly faster charging (50W)
- Brighter and potentially more accurate display
- Higher price tag
- Potentially shorter battery life in some scenarios
- Design may not appeal to all
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 iQOO Z9 Lite, which lacks published brightness data and likely falls considerably lower. While both likely utilize LCD panels given their price points, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s higher brightness and potentially better color calibration offer a superior viewing experience. Bezels are expected to be similar, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s design language is more premium.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the iQOO Z9 Lite, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to feature a more capable main sensor and image processing pipeline. The focus should be on the primary sensor's megapixel count and aperture. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s image processing will likely prioritize a more natural look, while iQOO often leans towards more saturated colors. The presence or absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus would be a significant advantage for low-light photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the iQOO Z9 Lite’s Dimensity 6300 (6nm). The 7350 Pro features newer Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 3.0 GHz, compared to the 6300’s Cortex-A76 cores at 2.4 GHz. This translates to a noticeable performance boost in demanding applications and games. The 4nm process node of the 7350 Pro also offers improved power efficiency, potentially leading to better sustained performance and less thermal throttling. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the faster chipset on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will be the primary performance driver.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates a clear advantage in battery and charging. Its active use score of 16:34h indicates excellent battery life. More importantly, the 50W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 50% charge in just 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes. The iQOO Z9 Lite’s 15W charging is significantly slower, requiring considerably longer to reach full capacity. While the iQOO Z9 Lite may have a slightly larger battery capacity (unconfirmed), the faster charging of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus mitigates any potential capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z9 Lite if you need a highly affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are willing to compromise on performance and charging speed. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer a more refined user experience, faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and significantly quicker charging times, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Dimensity 6300 in the iQOO Z9 Lite sufficient for playing games like Call of Duty: Mobile?
The Dimensity 6300 can handle Call of Duty: Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings for a smooth experience. The Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers significantly more headroom for gaming at higher settings and frame rates.
❓ How much faster is the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compared to the 15W charging on the iQOO Z9 Lite in real-world use?
The 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is dramatically faster. It can reach 100% in 56 minutes, while the iQOO Z9 Lite will likely take over 2 hours to fully charge. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Does the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus support software updates for an extended period?
Nothing has committed to 3 years of Android OS updates and 4 years of security patches for the Phone (2a) Plus, offering a longer software support lifecycle than many phones in this price range. iQOO’s update policy is typically shorter.
