The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options. The Redmi Note 15 Pro+ aims to deliver flagship-level charging speeds and solid performance, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus prioritizes battery endurance and a unique design aesthetic. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing rapid replenishment, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ is the winner thanks to its 100W charging. However, those who value all-day battery life and a more refined software experience will find the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus a more compelling choice, despite its slower charging.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 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 | Not announced yet | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Rumored | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorrila Glass 7i) or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 78.3 x 7.9 mm (6.43 x 3.08 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-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 207 g (7.30 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1280 x 2712 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~439 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.83 inches, 116.2 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 3200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7635-AC Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 810 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 15, HyperOS 2 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 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 | 200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@24/30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct (/6e is market/region dependent) | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 100W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 6500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Mocha Brown, Black | Black, Grey |
| Models | 2510ERA8BG | A142P |
| Price | About 500 EUR | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+
- Ultra-fast 100W charging
- Potentially efficient Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chipset
- Likely competitive pricing
- Battery life potentially compromised by fast charging focus
- Missing display brightness specification
- Limited camera details
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Excellent battery life (16:34h active use)
- Bright 1097 nit display
- Unique and minimalist design
- Slower 50W charging
- Dimensity 7350 Pro may throttle under sustained load
- 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, making it more usable in direct sunlight compared to the Redmi Note 15 Pro+, whose brightness is not specified. While both utilize 4nm chipsets, display technology details for the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ are missing; however, given its price point, it likely employs a standard AMOLED panel. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brightness advantage is crucial for outdoor visibility and content consumption. We expect the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus to offer a more vibrant and easily viewable experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications beyond sensor resolution are absent for the Redmi Note 15 Pro+. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s camera details are also limited. Without knowing sensor sizes, lens apertures, or image stabilization features (OIS), a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Nothing’s focus on design and user experience, we anticipate a more refined image processing pipeline on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, potentially prioritizing natural colors and dynamic range. The absence of details on the Redmi Note 15 Pro+’s camera suggests it may not be a primary selling point.
Performance
The Redmi Note 15 Pro+ is powered by the Qualcomm SM7635-AC Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, featuring a tri-cluster Cortex-A720 CPU configuration alongside Cortex-A520 cores. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro, with a dual-cluster Cortex-A715 and Cortex-A510 setup. While clock speeds differ, the architectural differences are key: the A720 cores in the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 are newer and generally more efficient than the A715 cores in the Dimensity 7350 Pro. However, the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s higher peak clock speeds (3.0 GHz vs 2.7 GHz) may provide a slight edge in burst performance. Thermal management will be crucial; the 4nm process node in both chips suggests reasonable efficiency, but sustained performance will depend on the phone’s cooling solution, which is currently unknown for both devices.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus shines in battery life, achieving an active use score of 16 hours and 34 minutes. The Redmi Note 15 Pro+’s battery capacity is not specified, but its 100W wired charging is a significant advantage. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus takes 56 minutes for a full charge, while the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ can likely achieve a full charge in under an hour. This trade-off is clear: the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ prioritizes charging speed, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus focuses on maximizing runtime between charges.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro+ if you need blazing-fast charging and don't mind potentially shorter battery life. It's ideal for power users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prefer exceptional battery endurance, a clean software experience, and a distinctive design. It's perfect for users who want a phone that lasts a full day on a single charge and offers a unique user interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 in the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 is a 4nm chip, indicating good thermal efficiency. However, sustained gaming performance will depend heavily on Xiaomi’s cooling solution, which is currently unknown. Without a robust cooling system, throttling is possible, reducing performance over time.
❓ How does the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compare to other phones in its price range?
50W charging is relatively standard for phones in this price bracket. While slower than the Redmi Note 15 Pro+'s 100W, it's still respectable and will fully charge the device in under an hour. The trade-off is the exceptional battery life, which minimizes the need for frequent charging.
❓ Is the software experience on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus significantly different from standard Android?
Yes, Nothing OS offers a unique and minimalist user interface. It's known for its clean design, subtle animations, and focus on essential features. It's a departure from heavily customized Android skins and appeals to users who prefer a more stock-like experience.
