vivo Y78 vs. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: A Detailed Comparison

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y78, with its established brand presence, faces off against the newcomer Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, which aims to disrupt with a unique design and focus on software experience. This comparison dives deep into the hardware and features of both devices to determine which offers the best value for your money.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and a brighter display, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and 1097 nit display significantly outperform the vivo Y78’s Snapdragon 695 and less-bright panel. However, the Y78 remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y78 Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 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
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2023, May 292024, July 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, June 10Available. Released 2024, August 03
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.3 x 74.8 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 2.94 x 0.31 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
Weight177 g (6.24 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 13, Funtouch 13Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.2-
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth)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
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76"
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes, 360˚
PositioningGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)GPS, 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
Charging44W wired50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min
Type5000 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsFlare Black, Dreamy GoldBlack, Grey
Models-A142P
PriceAbout 180 EUR€ 269.90 / ₹ 22,599

vivo Y78

  • More affordable price point
  • Established brand reputation
  • Reliable 5G connectivity

  • Less powerful processor
  • Dimmer display
  • Slower charging speeds

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

  • Superior performance with Dimensity 7350 Pro
  • Brighter and more vibrant display
  • Faster 50W charging

  • Higher price tag
  • Less established brand
  • Potential software quirks (Nothing OS)

Display Comparison

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1097 nits. This is a substantial improvement over what we’d expect from the vivo Y78, which lacks specific brightness data but typically falls in the 400-600 nit range based on its market segment. The higher brightness of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus translates to better outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize LCD panels, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s superior brightness and contrast will provide a more immersive viewing experience. We can assume the Y78 uses a standard 60Hz refresh rate, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely offers a 120Hz panel for smoother scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs for the vivo Y78, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to feature a more advanced camera system, likely with a larger main sensor and improved image processing capabilities. The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more capable than the Snapdragon 695’s. While both phones likely include standard features like HDR and night mode, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will likely deliver sharper, more detailed images with better dynamic range. We can expect the Y78 to rely heavily on software processing to compensate for its potentially less capable hardware.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro, a 4nm processor featuring Cortex-A715 performance cores clocked at 3.0 GHz. This is a significant leap over the vivo Y78’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), which utilizes Kryo 660 Gold cores at 2.2 GHz. The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s newer architecture and smaller node size translate to superior CPU and GPU performance, and improved power efficiency. This means the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will handle demanding tasks and games with greater ease and less thermal throttling. The Y78 is adequate for everyday use, but will struggle with graphically intensive applications.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates impressive battery life, achieving an active use score of 16 hours and 34 minutes. While the vivo Y78’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s efficiency, coupled with its 50W wired charging (50% in 21 minutes, 100% in 56 minutes), provides a significant advantage. The Y78’s 44W charging is respectable, but slower. The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s 4nm process contributes to better power management, allowing the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus to extract more usage from its battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y78 if you need a reliable 5G smartphone with a focus on affordability and a familiar Android experience. It’s a solid choice for everyday tasks and light gaming. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive user experience, a brighter and more vibrant display, and faster charging speeds – even if it comes at a slightly higher price point.

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 very efficient. While some heat generation is inevitable during intensive gaming, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s thermal management system is designed to prevent significant throttling. Early reports suggest it maintains stable performance for extended periods, unlike some older chipsets.
❓ Is the 44W charging on the vivo Y78 sufficient for quick top-ups throughout the day?
44W charging is adequate, but slower than the 50W on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. While it will still provide a noticeable charge in a short amount of time, it won’t be as rapid. Expect a full charge to take longer than the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 56-minute timeframe.
❓ How does Nothing OS compare to vivo’s Funtouch OS in terms of user experience and bloatware?
Nothing OS is known for its clean, near-stock Android experience with a unique Glyph Interface. It generally has less pre-installed bloatware compared to vivo’s Funtouch OS, which historically has included a significant amount of proprietary apps. Nothing OS prioritizes simplicity and customization, while Funtouch OS offers more features but can feel cluttered.