The ZTE nubia Focus and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The nubia Focus aims for affordability with a Unisoc chipset, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus leverages a more powerful Mediatek Dimensity processor and a focus on user experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the superior choice. Its significantly brighter 1097 nit display, faster 50W charging (full charge in 56 minutes), and more powerful Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset provide a smoother, more responsive experience. While the nubia Focus offers a lower entry price, the trade-offs in performance and features aren't worth it for all but the most budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 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 | 2024, February 28 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, Q2 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 74.9 x 8.6 mm (6.44 x 2.95 x 0.34 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 | 205.5 g (7.27 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz (90Hz - LATAM) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x Cortex-A76 & 4x Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T760 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", 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 | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
or
8 MP, (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W or 33W wired | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold, Coral | Black, Grey |
| Models | Z2455 | A142P |
| Price | About 200 EUR | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
ZTE nubia Focus
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Potentially longer software support due to Unisoc's growing presence.
- May offer a more minimalist software experience.
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the Dimensity 7350 Pro.
- Likely lower display quality with reduced brightness.
- Slower charging speeds.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Faster and more efficient Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset.
- Significantly brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Faster 50W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Higher price compared to the ZTE nubia Focus.
- Nothing OS may not appeal to all users.
- Potential for software bloat (though Nothing OS is generally clean).
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1097 nits. This is a substantial advantage over what we'd expect from the nubia Focus, making the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While the nubia Focus’s panel specifications are unavailable, its price point suggests a lower-quality panel with reduced brightness and color accuracy. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brightness also contributes to better HDR content viewing.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the nubia Focus, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely benefits from a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Dimensity 7350 Pro. While both phones may include standard features like HDR and scene detection, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s processing capabilities will likely result in better dynamic range and image clarity, especially in challenging lighting conditions. We can assume the nubia Focus will rely more heavily on software processing to compensate for potentially less capable hardware.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro, built on a 4nm process, featuring a more modern CPU architecture with 2x 3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores and 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. This contrasts with the ZTE nubia Focus’s Unisoc T760 (6nm) which uses older Cortex-A76 cores. The 4nm process of the Dimensity 7350 Pro translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads, offering a noticeable performance edge in gaming and demanding applications. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will handle multitasking and graphically intensive tasks with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates a clear advantage in charging speed, achieving a 50% charge in just 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes with its 50W wired charging. The nubia Focus offers either 22.5W or 33W charging, significantly slower. While the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its active use score of 16:34h indicates excellent battery life, likely optimized by the efficient Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset. The slower charging on the nubia Focus will require more downtime to replenish the battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Focus if you prioritize absolute affordability and are willing to compromise on performance and display quality. It's a viable option for basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you value a brighter, more vibrant display, faster charging speeds, and a more responsive user experience, even if it means spending a bit more. It’s ideal for media consumption, gaming, and users who demand a smoother daily driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T760 in the ZTE nubia Focus capable of running demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Unisoc T760 can *launch* Genshin Impact, expect significant compromises in graphics settings and frame rates. The chipset's limited processing power and older architecture will likely result in noticeable lag and stuttering, making the experience less enjoyable compared to the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
❓ How does the thermal management of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus hold up during extended gaming sessions?
The Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro, built on a 4nm process, is inherently more thermally efficient than the Unisoc T760. This means the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is less prone to overheating and thermal throttling during prolonged gaming, allowing it to maintain higher frame rates for longer periods.
❓ Does the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus support any form of wireless charging?
No, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus does not support wireless charging. It relies solely on 50W wired charging for power replenishment. This is a cost-saving measure compared to some higher-end devices.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect from Nothing for the Phone (2a) Plus?
Nothing has committed to 3 years of Android OS updates and 4 years of security patches for the Phone (2a) Plus. This is a competitive level of software support, ensuring the device remains secure and up-to-date with the latest features for a considerable period.
