Poco X6 vs Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a clean software experience, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better choice. Its significantly longer 16:34h active use score outweighs the Poco X6’s slightly brighter display and faster charging, offering a more consistently reliable experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Poco X6 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International | 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, January 11 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January 12 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.2 x 74.3 x 8 mm (6.35 x 2.93 x 0.31 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 | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, 1920Hz PWM, Dolby Vision, 500 nits (typ), 1200 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 13, up to 3 major Android upgrades, HyperOS | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB 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, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1.0µm | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, 100% in 44 min | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5100 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue | Black, Grey |
| Models | 23122PCD1G, 23122PCD1I | A142P |
| Price | € 279.99 / $ 213.57 / ₹ 17,990 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Poco X6
- Faster 67W wired charging
- Brighter display (1339 nits)
- Potentially lower price point
- Significantly shorter battery life (10:11h)
- Less efficient chipset (Snapdragon 7s Gen 2)
- Limited camera information
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Exceptional battery life (16:34h)
- More powerful CPU architecture (Dimensity 7350 Pro)
- Potentially better software experience
- Slower 50W wired charging
- Lower peak display brightness (1097 nits)
- Limited camera information
Display Comparison
The Poco X6 boasts a peak brightness of 1339 nits, making it visibly brighter outdoors than the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 1097 nits. While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the display brightness difference is noticeable in direct sunlight. However, Nothing’s display technology and calibration likely contribute to better color accuracy, a factor not directly measurable from the provided data. The absence of refresh rate information for both devices makes a direct comparison of smoothness impossible, but both likely target a standard 120Hz panel given the segment.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera analysis is limited by the provided data. Both phones are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specifics on sensor size, aperture, or optical image stabilization (OIS). The absence of this information makes a meaningful comparison impossible. We can assume both will feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will depend heavily on the primary sensor and image processing algorithms. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Poco X6 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro. The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s CPU configuration (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) suggests a focus on sustained performance with its higher clocked prime cores, compared to the Poco’s (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55). While the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is a capable performer, the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s architecture hints at better multi-core performance, potentially benefiting demanding tasks and multitasking. Both are built on a 4nm process, suggesting similar thermal efficiency, but real-world testing would be needed to confirm.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus truly shines. Its active use score of 16:34h significantly surpasses the Poco X6’s 10:11h. This difference is substantial and suggests a more efficient chipset and/or optimized power management. While the Poco X6 offers faster 67W wired charging (100% in 44 minutes), the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging (50% in 21 minutes, 100% in 56 minutes) is still respectable. The longer battery life of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus mitigates the slower charging speed, making it the more convenient option for users who prioritize longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco X6 if you need raw processing power for demanding games and applications, and prioritize a lower upfront cost. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset provides a performance edge for the price. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer exceptional battery life, a minimalist aesthetic, and a smoother, more refined user experience, even if it means sacrificing some peak performance.