The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Poco M6 Plus aims to deliver solid performance at an aggressive price point, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus attempts to disrupt with a unique design and a focus on user experience. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications of each device to determine which one reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better choice. Its Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and 50W charging significantly outperform the Poco M6 Plus's Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 and 33W charging, justifying the potential 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, 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, 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, August 01 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 05 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.6 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm (6.64 x 3.00 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 | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.79 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, HyperOS | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) | 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, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.5, (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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5030 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Purple, Silver | Black, Grey |
| Models | - | A142P |
| Price | ₹ 10,299 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Xiaomi Poco M6 Plus
- More affordable price point
- Potentially larger battery capacity (speculation)
- MIUI offers extensive customization options
- Significantly slower charging speed
- Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
- Likely lower display brightness and refresh rate
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Faster 50W charging
- More powerful Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Unique and minimalist design
- Higher price compared to the Poco M6 Plus
- Nothing OS may not appeal to all users
- Potential for software bugs in early updates
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1097 nits, compared to an assumed lower brightness on the Poco M6 Plus (typical of its price bracket). This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. While both likely utilize LCD panels, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s superior brightness is a clear advantage. We expect the Poco M6 Plus to have a standard 60Hz refresh rate, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is likely to offer a 120Hz panel, resulting in smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the Poco M6 Plus, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, given its price point, we can assume a more basic camera setup. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to have a more sophisticated camera system, potentially with a larger main sensor and improved image processing. The focus should be on the primary sensor quality and software optimization, as the inclusion of 2MP macro lenses on either device adds little practical value. Image processing algorithms will likely differentiate the two, with Nothing’s focus on a clean, natural look.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro, built on a 4nm process, features a more powerful CPU configuration – 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores alongside 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores – compared to the Poco M6 Plus’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s architecture and higher clock speeds will deliver noticeably faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. While both are 4nm chips, the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s more advanced core design provides a substantial performance edge. The Poco M6 Plus will be adequate for everyday tasks, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the clear winner for gaming and demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus shines in the battery and charging department. Its active use score of 16:34h demonstrates excellent battery life. Crucially, it supports 50W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in just 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes. The Poco M6 Plus, with its 33W charging, will take considerably longer to fully charge. While the Poco M6 Plus may have a slightly larger battery capacity (speculation based on typical Poco models), the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s faster charging and efficient chipset will likely result in a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M6 Plus if you need a highly affordable device 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 prioritize a smoother user experience, faster charging, and better overall performance for gaming and demanding applications, and are willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7350 Pro is a relatively efficient chipset built on a 4nm process. While some heat generation is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to have adequate thermal management to prevent significant throttling and maintain stable performance. The larger surface area of the phone also aids in heat dissipation.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the Poco M6 Plus slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, 33W charging is considerably slower than the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. Expect a full charge to take well over an hour, which can be frustrating for users accustomed to faster charging speeds. This is a significant trade-off for the lower price point.
❓ How does Nothing OS compare to Xiaomi's MIUI in terms of user experience?
Nothing OS is known for its clean, minimalist interface and focus on simplicity, aiming to provide a near-stock Android experience. MIUI, on the other hand, is heavily customized with numerous features and pre-installed apps. Users who prefer a bloat-free and streamlined experience will likely prefer Nothing OS, while those who enjoy extensive customization options may prefer MIUI.
