Redmi Note 13 vs. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and overall value, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the stronger contender. Its significantly longer 16:34h active use battery score, coupled with faster 50W charging, outweighs the Redmi Note 13’s lower price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 | 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 - 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 - 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 04 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January 10 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.1 x 75 x 7.6 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.30 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 | 174.5 g (6.14 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors*, 120Hz, 1920Hz PWM, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to 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, 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 | 108 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, (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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | 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 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 | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Graphite black (Stealth Black), Arctic White, Ocean Teal, Prism Gold | Black, Grey |
| Models | 2312DRAABG, 2312DRAABI | A142P |
| Price | $ 118.38 / £ 206.65 / € 150.99 / ₹ 15,950 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
| SAR | 1.07 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.94 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 13
- More affordable price point
- Decent display brightness for everyday use
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Slower charging speeds
- Less powerful processor
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Exceptional battery life
- Faster 50W charging
- More powerful and efficient processor
- Higher price tag
- May not be a significant upgrade for very basic users
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
Both phones feature capable displays, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a brighter panel, reaching 1097 nits compared to the Redmi Note 13’s 991 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED technology (not specified in the data), the higher brightness of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides a more vibrant and readable experience. We can assume both displays have a standard 60Hz refresh rate given the segment, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s superior brightness is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset difference suggests the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely benefits from a more advanced image signal processor (ISP), enabling better image processing and potentially superior low-light performance. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the processing power of the Dimensity 7350 Pro gives the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus an edge in computational photography. We can assume both phones will have a primary camera, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens, but the image quality will likely differ due to the chipset.
Performance
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm) represents a significant step up in processing power compared to the Redmi Note 13’s Dimensity 6080 (6nm). The 7350 Pro’s Cortex-A715 cores, clocked at 3.0 GHz, offer a noticeable performance boost over the Redmi’s 2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. The smaller 4nm process node of the 7350 Pro also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will handle demanding games and applications more smoothly.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus dominates in battery performance, achieving an impressive 16:34h of active use, nearly double the Redmi Note 13’s 9:49h. This substantial difference is likely due to the more efficient Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and potentially a larger battery capacity (not specified). Furthermore, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports 50W wired charging, reaching 50% in just 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes, significantly faster than the Redmi Note 13’s 33W charging. This faster charging is a major convenience factor for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 if you need a reliable daily driver with a decent display and are on a strict budget. It’s ideal for users who prioritize affordability over peak performance. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer a phone with superior battery endurance, faster charging speeds, and a more powerful processor for smoother multitasking and gaming, even if it means spending a bit more.