Poco M7 vs Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: A Detailed Comparison for Budget-Conscious Buyers
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and faster charging, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the stronger contender. Its Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and 50W charging significantly outperform the Poco M7’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 and 18W charging, justifying the potential price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Poco M7 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 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 | 2025, March 03 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 07 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 171.9 x 77.8 x 8.2 mm (6.77 x 3.06 x 0.32 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 | 205.4 g (7.23 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.88 inches, 112.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (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 (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 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 | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.96", PDAF | - |
| 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, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5160 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Satin Black, Mint Green | Black, Grey |
| Models | 24108PCE2I, MZB0KE1IN | A142P |
| Price | € 135.00 / £ 118.00 / ₹ 8,999 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.76 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Poco M7
- Extremely affordable price point
- Efficient Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset
- Compact and lightweight design (likely)
- Slow 18W charging
- Less powerful processor compared to the competition
- Likely lower display brightness
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Fast 50W charging
- Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset
- Bright and vibrant display (1097 nits)
- Higher price compared to the Poco M7
- May be slightly larger and heavier
- Software experience 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 a substantial advantage over what we’d expect from the Poco M7, making the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While the Poco M7’s panel specifications are not provided, its price point suggests a lower peak brightness. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brightness also contributes to better HDR content viewing. We can assume both devices utilize LCD panels given their price bracket, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s superior brightness is a clear win.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Poco M7, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely benefits from a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Dimensity 7350 Pro. While sensor size and aperture are unknown for both, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s processing capabilities will likely result in better dynamic range and low-light performance. It’s reasonable to assume the Poco M7 will include a basic camera setup focused on affordability, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus aims for a more refined photographic experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm), featuring a more powerful CPU configuration with 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. This contrasts with the Poco M7’s Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s higher clock speeds and newer core architecture translate to noticeably faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. Both chips are built on a 4nm process, offering good efficiency, but the Dimensity 7350 Pro has a clear architectural advantage. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will handle demanding games and apps with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus shines in the battery and charging department. While the exact battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports 50W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in just 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes. This is a significant advantage over the Poco M7’s slower 18W charging. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus also boasts an active use score of 16:34h, indicating excellent battery life. The faster charging speed of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus mitigates any potential capacity difference, making it the more convenient option for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M7 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 smoother user experience, faster charging, and a brighter display, and are willing to spend a bit more for a more balanced package.