vivo T3 Ultra vs. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: A Deep Dive into Performance and Battery Life

The mid-range smartphone market is heating up, with the vivo T3 Ultra and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offering compelling packages. The T3 Ultra aims for raw performance with its Dimensity 9200+ chipset, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus prioritizes a balanced experience with a focus on battery life and a unique design. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the vivo T3 Ultra emerges as the winner thanks to its significantly more powerful Dimensity 9200+ chipset. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus delivers exceptional battery life – lasting 16:34h in active use – and a brighter display, making it ideal for everyday users and media consumers.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo T3 Ultra Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, September 122024, July 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, September 19Available. Released 2024, August 03
Body
BuildGlass front, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.2 x 74.9 x 7.6 mm (6.46 x 2.95 x 0.30 in)161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionSchott Xensation AlphaCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 120Hz, 4500 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-X3 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9200+ (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm)
GPUImmortalis-G715 MC11Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 14, Funtouch 14Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm50 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
FeaturesRing-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76"
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes, 360˚
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS, NavICGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD, 100% in 56 min Reverse wired50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min
TypeLi-Ion 5500 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsLunar Gray, Frost GreenBlack, Grey
ModelsV2426A142P
PriceAbout 350 EUR€ 269.90 / ₹ 22,599
SAR0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)-

vivo T3 Ultra

  • Significantly faster processor for gaming and demanding tasks
  • 80W fast charging for quicker top-ups
  • Reverse wired charging for accessory power

  • Likely shorter battery life due to the power-hungry chipset
  • Display brightness potentially lower than the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

  • Exceptional battery life (16:34h active use)
  • Brighter display (1097 nits peak brightness)
  • Clean and minimalist software experience

  • Less powerful processor for intensive applications
  • Slower charging speed (50W)

Display Comparison

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1097 nits, making it more visible outdoors under direct sunlight. While the vivo T3 Ultra’s display specs are not provided, the (2a) Plus’s brightness advantage is significant. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s panel likely utilizes a standard refresh rate, while the T3 Ultra’s display technology remains unknown. The (2a) Plus’s brightness is a clear win for users who frequently consume content outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the vivo T3 Ultra, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s camera system is expected to focus on computational photography and image processing. The T3 Ultra’s chipset will likely provide more headroom for complex image processing tasks, potentially leading to better low-light performance. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and OIS on the T3 Ultra makes it difficult to assess its photographic capabilities definitively. Users prioritizing camera versatility should await detailed camera reviews of the T3 Ultra.

Performance

The vivo T3 Ultra’s Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ (4nm) chipset is the clear performance leader. Its octa-core configuration, featuring a high-clocked 3.35 GHz Cortex-X3 prime core, significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s Dimensity 7350 Pro. The 7350 Pro, while still capable, uses a less powerful core configuration (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510). This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance on the T3 Ultra. The 4nm fabrication process on both chips ensures reasonable thermal efficiency, but the 9200+’s superior architecture will likely generate more heat under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 16:34 hours of active use. While the T3 Ultra’s battery capacity is unknown, its more powerful chipset will likely consume more power. The T3 Ultra compensates with 80W wired charging, promising a full charge in 56 minutes, while the (2a) Plus takes the same 56 minutes to reach 100% with its 50W charging. The T3 Ultra also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the (2a) Plus, adding convenience for charging accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo T3 Ultra if you need uncompromising performance for gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and are willing to trade some battery life for that power. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize all-day battery life, a vibrant display with high peak brightness, and a clean software experience, even if it means sacrificing some raw processing speed.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 9200+ in the vivo T3 Ultra overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 9200+ is a powerful chip, the 4nm process helps mitigate heat. However, sustained gaming will inevitably generate heat. The T3 Ultra’s thermal management system will be crucial; reviews will need to assess throttling performance under load. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s Dimensity 7350 Pro will generate less heat, but also offer lower peak performance.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compare to the 80W charging on the vivo T3 Ultra in real-world use?
Both phones reach 100% charge in 56 minutes, despite the wattage difference. This suggests the T3 Ultra’s charging system may have more sophisticated power delivery management. However, the (2a) Plus’s 50W charging still provides a substantial top-up in a short amount of time, reaching 50% in 21 minutes.
❓ Is the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s software experience significantly different from other Android phones?
Yes, Nothing OS is known for its clean, minimalist interface and unique Glyph Interface. It aims to provide a near-stock Android experience with subtle customizations and a focus on visual design, differentiating it from the often heavily modified UIs found on other Android devices.