The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options. The Redmi Note 15 aims for value with a newer Snapdragon chipset, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus focuses on a refined user experience and strong battery life. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a brighter display, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the winner. Its 16:34 active use score and 1097 nits peak brightness provide a tangible advantage. However, the Redmi Note 15 offers a competitive price point and a modern Snapdragon chipset.
| 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), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.4 x 7.4 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.29 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 | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.83 inches, 112.6 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, PWM, HDR10+, 3200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6475-AB Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 15, HyperOS 2 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 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, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.4", 1.0µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS, OIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (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 (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, 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/6, 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, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5520 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Purple, Black | Black, Grey |
| Models | 25096RA9BG | A142P |
| Price | About 300 EUR | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 15
- Potentially lower price point
- Modern Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset
- 4nm process for improved efficiency
- Likely lower display brightness
- Slower charging speeds (45W)
- Unknown battery life performance
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Excellent battery life (16:34h active use)
- High peak brightness (1097 nits)
- Faster charging (50W, 100% in 56 min)
- Potentially higher price
- Dimensity 7350 Pro may throttle under sustained load
- Software experience may not appeal to all
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a clear advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1097 nits. This is crucial for outdoor use, where the Redmi Note 15’s likely lower peak brightness (spec not provided, but typical for the segment) will struggle. While the Redmi Note 15’s panel specifics are unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brightness, combined with its likely OLED technology, will deliver superior contrast and color vibrancy. Bezels are expected to be comparable, given both phones target a similar price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Redmi Note 15, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to feature a more refined camera system, focusing on image processing and sensor quality. The absence of information regarding OIS or sensor size on the Redmi Note 15 suggests a more basic camera experience. Users prioritizing photography should lean towards the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, anticipating better low-light performance and dynamic range.
Performance
The chipset battle pits Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4nm) against MediaTek’s Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm). The Dimensity 7350 Pro, with its Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 3.0 GHz, holds a theoretical CPU performance lead over the Redmi Note 15’s Cortex-A78 cores at 2.4 GHz. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. However, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3’s efficiency on the 4nm node could offer better sustained performance under load. The Redmi Note 15’s CPU architecture, while slightly older, is still capable, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is geared towards more demanding users.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus shines in battery performance, delivering an impressive 16:34 hours of active use. While the Redmi Note 15’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s endurance is a significant advantage. Furthermore, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports 50W wired charging, reaching 50% in 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes, significantly faster than the Redmi Note 15’s 45W charging. This faster charging is a practical benefit for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 if you need a budget-friendly device with a recent Snapdragon processor and are willing to compromise slightly on display brightness and battery endurance. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize a longer-lasting battery, a significantly brighter display for outdoor visibility, and faster charging speeds, even if it means a slightly higher upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 7350 Pro is a capable chipset, sustained high loads can lead to thermal throttling. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s thermal management system will play a crucial role, but users expecting hours of uninterrupted gaming at maximum settings may experience some performance dips. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 in the Redmi Note 15 might offer more consistent performance over longer periods due to its potentially more efficient thermal design.
❓ How does the 45W charging on the Redmi Note 15 compare to the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus in real-world usage?
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging is demonstrably faster, fully charging the device in 56 minutes. The Redmi Note 15’s 45W charging will take longer, potentially exceeding an hour. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ Does the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus support features like HDR10+ for enhanced video playback?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, Nothing typically includes HDR10+ support in their displays. This would provide a richer and more vibrant viewing experience when streaming HDR content. The Redmi Note 15’s HDR support is unknown, but it’s less likely to be included given its more budget-focused positioning.
