The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G (India) and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options. The Redmi Note 14 5G aims for aggressive pricing and broad availability, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus focuses on a refined user experience and a distinctive design. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device delivers the most value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a brighter display, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the stronger contender. Its Dimensity 7350 Pro, built on a 4nm process, offers a noticeable advantage over the Redmi Note 14 5G’s Dimensity 7025 Ultra, especially in demanding tasks. However, the Redmi Note 14 5G remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers.
| 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, December 09 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 13 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 75.7 x 8 mm (6.39 x 2.98 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 | 190 g (6.70 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 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2100 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7025 Ultra (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | IMG BXM-8-256 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 14, 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 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 | 50 MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0", 0.7µm | 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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 | 45W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5110 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titan Black, Mystique White, Phantom Purple, Ivy Green, Crimson Art (Note 14 SE) | Black, Grey |
| Models | 24094RAD4I | A142P |
| Price | ₹ 13,440 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
| SAR | 0.84 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G (India)
- Potentially more affordable price point
- 5G connectivity for fast data speeds
- Likely to offer a large internal storage option
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Slower charging speed (45W vs 50W)
- Likely lower peak display brightness
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- More powerful and efficient Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset
- Faster 50W charging with quick top-up times
- Brighter display (1097 nits) for better outdoor visibility
- Excellent battery life (16:34h active use)
- Generally higher price compared to the Redmi Note 14 5G
- Design may not appeal to all users
- Software experience is a matter of personal preference
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a clear advantage in display technology, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1097 nits. This is a substantial improvement over what we’d expect from the Redmi Note 14 5G, though specific Redmi Note 14 5G display specs are currently unavailable. The higher brightness of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus translates to better outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brightness suggests a more advanced panel with potentially better color accuracy and contrast. The Redmi Note 14 5G will likely focus on cost optimization in this area.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Redmi Note 14 5G, a direct comparison is limited. However, the mid-range segment often prioritizes megapixel count over sensor size and image processing. We anticipate the Redmi Note 14 5G will feature a multi-camera setup, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely benefits from more sophisticated image processing algorithms and potentially a larger primary sensor. The focus should be on real-world image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance, areas where the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is likely to excel due to its more powerful chipset enabling better computational photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro, fabricated on a more efficient 4nm process. This contrasts with the Redmi Note 14 5G’s Dimensity 7025 Ultra, built on a 6nm node. The 4nm process generally leads to better thermal efficiency and power consumption, allowing the Dimensity 7350 Pro to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods. The CPU configuration further highlights this: the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores, while the Redmi Note 14 5G has 2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores. The A715 cores in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent a newer generation with improved performance per watt. This translates to smoother multitasking and a more responsive gaming experience.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates a clear advantage in charging speed, achieving 50% charge in just 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes with its 50W wired charging. The Redmi Note 14 5G’s 45W charging is slower. More importantly, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts an impressive active use battery score of 16:34h, indicating excellent power efficiency. While the Redmi Note 14 5G’s battery capacity is unknown, the Dimensity 7025 Ultra’s 6nm process may result in slightly lower efficiency compared to the 4nm Dimensity 7350 Pro, potentially requiring more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G (India) if you need a highly affordable 5G smartphone with decent all-around performance and are willing to compromise on display brightness and sustained peak performance. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer a more refined experience, a significantly brighter display, faster charging, and a chipset capable of handling more intensive workloads without significant throttling.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 7025 Ultra in the Redmi Note 14 5G struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While the Dimensity 7025 Ultra is capable, it's likely to exhibit more noticeable frame drops and throttling during extended gaming sessions compared to the Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. The 6nm process and lower clock speeds will limit sustained performance, potentially requiring lower graphics settings for a smoother experience.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compare to other phones with similar wattage?
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging is optimized for speed and efficiency. Achieving 50% charge in 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes is competitive, indicating a well-implemented charging system that minimizes heat generation and maximizes charging rate. This is likely due to the phone's power management IC and battery chemistry.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Dimensity 7025 Ultra and 7350 Pro noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference will be minimal. However, the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s superior processing power will become apparent when multitasking, editing photos/videos, or running demanding applications. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will feel more responsive and fluid in these scenarios.
