The ZTE nubia Neo 2 and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The nubia Neo 2 aggressively targets gamers with a focus on raw processing power at a low price, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus aims for a more balanced experience, prioritizing design, software, and overall usability. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a refined experience, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the better choice. Its superior display brightness, faster charging, and longer battery life, coupled with Nothing OS, offer a more polished and versatile package. However, gamers on a strict budget will find the nubia Neo 2’s raw processing power compelling.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 71, 77 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 (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166 x 76.1 x 8.5 mm (6.54 x 3.00 x 0.33 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 | 208 g (7.34 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x2.3 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T820 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14 | 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/1.8, (wide), 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | 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 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 | 6000 mAh or 5200 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sunfire Yellow, Frost Silver, Storm Gray | Black, Grey |
| Models | Z2352N | A142P |
| Price | € 179.00 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
ZTE nubia Neo 2
- Potentially higher raw processing power for gaming.
- More affordable price point.
- May include gaming-specific features (triggers, software optimizations).
- Likely inferior display quality.
- Slower charging speed.
- Less refined software experience.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Brighter and more vibrant display.
- Faster charging and longer battery life.
- Clean and user-friendly Nothing OS.
- More efficient chipset for sustained performance.
- Higher price tag.
- May not match the nubia Neo 2’s peak gaming performance.
- Design may not appeal to all users.
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1097 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the nubia Neo 2. This translates to superior visibility outdoors and a more engaging viewing experience in bright environments. While the nubia Neo 2’s panel specifications are unknown, its price point suggests it likely utilizes a less advanced panel technology. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s brightness advantage is crucial for users who consume a lot of media or work outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the nubia Neo 2, a direct comparison is challenging. However, given its price bracket, it likely features a more basic camera system. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, while not a camera flagship, benefits from a more refined image processing pipeline and potentially larger sensor sizes. The focus should be on real-world image samples to assess the quality, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is expected to deliver more consistent and detailed photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Ignoring the likely presence of low-resolution macro lenses on both devices, the primary sensor quality will be the deciding factor.
Performance
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is equipped with the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm), featuring a more modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A715) than the nubia Neo 2’s Unisoc T820 (6nm). The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 7350 Pro offers improved power efficiency and thermal management, potentially leading to sustained performance during demanding tasks. While the nubia Neo 2’s Cortex-A76 cores provide respectable performance, the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s newer architecture and more efficient manufacturing process give it a clear advantage in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will likely handle multitasking and graphically intensive games with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, achieving an active use score of 16 hours and 34 minutes. While the nubia Neo 2’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s combination of a power-efficient chipset and optimized software contributes to its impressive endurance. Furthermore, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports 50W wired charging, reaching 50% charge in just 21 minutes and a full charge in 56 minutes, significantly faster than the nubia Neo 2’s 33W charging. This faster charging capability minimizes downtime and provides greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE nubia Neo 2 if you absolutely need the most processing power for mobile gaming within a limited budget and are willing to compromise on display quality and software experience. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you value a well-rounded smartphone experience with a vibrant display, fast charging, a clean software interface, and a more premium feel, even if it means sacrificing some peak gaming performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Unisoc T820 in the nubia Neo 2 suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Unisoc T820, while capable, is built on a 6nm process, which is less efficient than the 4nm Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus. This means the nubia Neo 2 is more likely to experience thermal throttling during prolonged, demanding gaming sessions, potentially leading to reduced performance over time. While it can deliver initial bursts of power, sustained performance may be limited.
❓ How does Nothing OS compare to the software experience on the ZTE nubia Neo 2, and what are the key differences?
Nothing OS is known for its clean, minimalist interface and near-stock Android experience with unique design elements. It prioritizes usability and avoids excessive bloatware. The ZTE nubia Neo 2 likely runs a heavily customized version of Android, potentially including pre-installed apps and a less refined user interface. Nothing OS generally offers faster updates and a smoother overall experience.
❓ Is the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
While the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports 50W charging, it's best to use the included charger for optimal performance. It does support Power Delivery (PD) charging, but at lower wattages. Using a PD charger will still charge the device, but it will likely be slower than using the 50W charger.
