Redmi Note 13 Pro vs. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Champions

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options. The Redmi Note 13 Pro aims for all-around excellence, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus prioritizes a unique design and streamlined software experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing battery life and consistent performance, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the winner. Its significantly longer 16:34h active use score, coupled with a capable Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset, outweighs the Redmi Note 13 Pro’s brighter display and faster charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 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, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, September 212024, July 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, September 21Available. Released 2024, August 03
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions161.2 x 74.2 x 8 mm (6.35 x 2.92 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 + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight187 g (6.60 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 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
CPUOcta-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 710Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 13, up to 3 major Android upgrades, HyperOSAndroid 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM256GB 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
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76"
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes, 360˚
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
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, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging67W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 17 min, 100% in 44 min50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min
TypeLi-Po 5100 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Aurora Purple (Coral Purple), Ocean Teal, Arctic White, Olive Green, Scarlet RedBlack, Grey
Models2312DRA50C, 2312CRAD3C, 2312DRA50G, 2312DRA50IA142P
Price€ 220.35 / $ 269.99 / £ 229.00 / ₹ 23,499€ 269.90 / ₹ 22,599
SAR1.09 W/kg (head)     1.03 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU1.00 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)-

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro

  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility (1331 nits)
  • Faster 67W wired charging
  • Potentially more aggressive pricing (based on Xiaomi's market strategy)

  • Significantly shorter battery life (10:16h active use)
  • Less powerful CPU architecture compared to Dimensity 7350 Pro

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

  • Exceptional battery life (16:34h active use)
  • More modern CPU architecture (Dimensity 7350 Pro)
  • Clean and streamlined software experience (typical of Nothing)

  • Slower 50W wired charging
  • Lower peak display brightness (1097 nits)

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 13 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 1331 nits, making it more readable under direct sunlight compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 1097 nits. While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the display brightness difference is a tangible benefit for outdoor users. However, neither specification details refresh rate or panel type, leaving room for further investigation. The Redmi Note 13 Pro’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage for media consumption in bright environments.

Camera Comparison

Unfortunately, the provided data lacks detailed camera specifications beyond 'Photo / Video' for both devices. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Xiaomi’s history, the Redmi Note 13 Pro likely emphasizes high megapixel counts, while Nothing typically focuses on computational photography. Users prioritizing image quality should seek detailed camera reviews before making a decision. The absence of specifics makes it impossible to determine a clear winner based on the provided data.

Performance

Under the hood, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro, utilizing a 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 core configuration alongside 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. This contrasts with the Redmi Note 13 Pro’s Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, which employs a 4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. While clock speeds aren’t everything, the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s newer architecture suggests a performance edge in multi-threaded tasks and potentially gaming. Both are built on a 4nm process, indicating good efficiency, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s CPU configuration is likely to deliver a smoother experience with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 13 Pro in battery life, achieving an impressive 16:34h of active use compared to the Redmi’s 10:16h. This nearly 6-hour difference is substantial and will be noticeable for heavy users. While the Redmi Note 13 Pro offers faster 67W wired charging (50% in 17 min, 100% in 44 min) compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W (50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min), the longer runtime of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus mitigates the charging speed disparity. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus prioritizes longevity, while the Redmi Note 13 Pro focuses on quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro if you need a display that excels in outdoor visibility, peaking at 1331 nits, and value the convenience of 67W fast charging. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize all-day battery life, a clean software experience, and a more powerful processor for demanding tasks, even if it means slightly slower charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact smoothly?
The Dimensity 7350 Pro is a capable chipset, and should handle Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with playable frame rates. However, sustained performance will depend on the phone's thermal management, which hasn't been independently tested yet. Expect some frame drops during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How does the charging speed difference impact daily use? Will the slower 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus be a significant inconvenience?
While the Redmi Note 13 Pro charges faster, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s exceptional battery life minimizes the need for frequent top-ups. The 56-minute full charge time is still reasonable, and most users will likely charge overnight. The convenience of faster charging is offset by the significantly longer runtime of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera information a major concern when choosing between these two phones?
Yes, it is. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, and image processing capabilities, it's impossible to accurately assess camera performance. We recommend consulting independent camera reviews and sample photos before making a decision, as camera quality is a key differentiator for many users.