The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Vivo V25 and Nothing Phone (1) represent distinct approaches. The V25 focuses on established features like fast charging and a solid camera system, while the Nothing Phone (1) aims to disrupt with its unique design and software experience. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications of each device to determine which one offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and consistent performance, the Vivo V25 is the stronger choice. Its 120-hour endurance rating and Dimensity 900 chipset provide a reliable experience. However, the Nothing Phone (1) appeals to those seeking a distinctive aesthetic and a more curated software experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 17 | 2022, July 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 21 | Available. Released 2022, July 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 74.2 x 7.8 mm (6.27 x 2.92 x 0.31 in) | 159.2 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm (6.27 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| | Color changing back panel color | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2404 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.0 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1440Hz PWM, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, live HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC | GPS (L1), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 61% in 30 min | 33W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 70 min
15W wireless
5W reverse wireless |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh (17.42 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Elegant Black, Sunrise Gold, Surfing Blue | White, Black |
| Models | V2202 | A063 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | $ 539.00 / £ 234.77 / € 249.95 / ₹ 17,990 |
| SAR | 0.94 W/kg (head) 1.24 W/kg (body) | 1.29 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 120h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.3 LUFS (Average)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 461428 (v9)
GeekBench: 2023 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 21fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
vivo V25
- Longer battery life (120h endurance)
- Faster initial charging speed (44W)
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Lacks wireless charging
- Less distinctive design
Nothing Phone (1)
- Unique Glyph Interface design
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Potentially better sustained performance (Snapdragon 778G+)
- Shorter battery life (108h endurance)
- Slower initial charging speed (33W)
Display Comparison
The Vivo V25 boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 781 nits compared to the Nothing Phone (1)'s 663 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both utilize standard LCD panels (no LTPO here), the higher peak brightness of the V25 provides a more comfortable viewing experience in bright environments. Contrast ratios are nominally infinite on both, typical for LCDs, but real-world contrast performance will be impacted by the panel quality and calibration, which wasn't provided in the source data. Bezels appear comparable based on available imagery, and color accuracy is assumed to be within acceptable ranges for this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms, a definitive camera comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the V25 may prioritize a more versatile camera system, while the Nothing Phone (1) focuses on a distinct aesthetic in its camera module design. The absence of details on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is a significant omission; its presence would be a major advantage for low-light photography and video recording. We can assume both phones include standard features like HDR and portrait modes, but image quality will ultimately depend on the underlying hardware and software tuning.
Performance
Under the hood, the Nothing Phone (1) features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G, utilizing a 6nm process, with an octa-core CPU configuration featuring 1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 and 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores alongside 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Vivo V25 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 900, also on a 6nm process, with a slightly different core arrangement: 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. While clock speeds are similar, the Snapdragon 778G+ benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized architecture and generally delivers slightly better sustained performance in demanding tasks and gaming. The Nothing Phone (1)'s CPU configuration with more A78 cores suggests a slight edge in multi-threaded workloads. However, the V25's thermal management capabilities are unknown, which could impact sustained performance.
Battery Life
The Vivo V25 claims an endurance rating of 120 hours, while the Nothing Phone (1) achieves 108 hours. This suggests the V25 offers significantly better battery life in typical usage scenarios. The V25 supports 44W wired charging, reaching 61% charge in 30 minutes. The Nothing Phone (1) offers 33W wired charging (PD3.0, QC4), achieving 50% in 30 minutes and a full charge in 70 minutes. Additionally, the Nothing Phone (1) includes 15W wireless charging and 5W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the V25. While the V25 charges faster initially, the Nothing Phone (1)'s wireless charging capabilities provide added convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Vivo V25 if you need a phone that consistently lasts through a full day of heavy use and offers reliable performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming. Buy the Nothing Phone (1) if you prioritize a unique design, a clean software experience, and are willing to trade some battery life for a more visually striking device and the Glyph Interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 900 in the Vivo V25 throttle under sustained gaming loads?
While the Dimensity 900 is a capable chipset, its thermal management performance is unknown. Without specific testing data, it's difficult to determine if it will experience significant throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 778G+ in the Nothing Phone (1) generally exhibits better thermal efficiency, potentially leading to more consistent performance over time.
❓ How does the Glyph Interface on the Nothing Phone (1) impact battery life?
The Glyph Interface, with its customizable light patterns, does consume battery power. However, Nothing has optimized the system to minimize the impact. Users can adjust the brightness and duration of the Glyph Interface notifications to balance visual appeal with battery conservation. The extent of the battery drain will depend on individual usage patterns.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Nothing Phone (1) significantly slower than the 44W on the Vivo V25 in real-world use?
While the Vivo V25 charges to 61% in 30 minutes, the Nothing Phone (1) reaches 50%. The difference isn't massive, and the Nothing Phone (1) offers the convenience of wireless charging, which the V25 lacks. The overall charging experience will depend on the charger used and the phone's current battery level.
