Smartphone Comparison: Realme 8 vs. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Realme 8 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-03-25 | 2024-08-03 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is significantly newer, likely having more recent software and features. |
| Size | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 161.7 × 76.3 × 8.5 mm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is slightly larger, which might affect one-handed use. |
| Weight | 177g | 190g | Realme 8 is lighter, which can be more comfortable for long holding sessions. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.4" | 6.7" | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Both have similar sharpness, not a significant difference in daily use. |
| PPI | 411 | 395 | Both offer sharp displays; difference is negligible. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers much smoother scrolling and animations, a key advantage for gaming and fluid UI experience. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 1300 nits | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is significantly brighter, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a newer, more efficient chip leading to better performance, faster loading times, and improved energy efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 805,721 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers almost double the performance, translating to a much smoother and responsive user experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G610 MC4 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus should offer better gaming performance due to the newer GPU architecture. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, all else being equal. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 50W fast charging, Li-Ion | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus charges much faster, reducing waiting times. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, No charger in box | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus does not include a charger, which might be inconvenient. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", OV64B, 0.70 µm | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", Samsung GN9, 1.00 µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a larger sensor with bigger pixels, suggesting better low-light performance despite lower resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45, 1/3.13", Sony IMX471, 1.00 µm | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64 µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has much higher resolution for detailed selfies, though smaller pixel size. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | None | Realme 8 offers a dedicated ultrawide lens for more versatile photography. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, though quality is typically limited. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1, 0.64 µm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus combines wide-angle and macro functionality in a single lens, potentially offering convenience. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Realme 8 has a black and white lens, though its use case may be limited. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, EIS, 1080p@120fps, No video stabilization | 4K@30fps, EIS, 1080p@120fps, Optical Stabilization (OIS) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides optical image stabilization, which results in smoother videos, especially while moving. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, Ultra stable video, etc. | Dual camera, OIS, PDAF, RAW, Night Mode, etc. | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has more advanced features like OIS, RAW capture, and Night Mode, leading to better image quality in challenging conditions. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a significantly newer OS with more features, security updates, and a longer support lifecycle. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a newer Bluetooth version with improved energy efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides more accurate and reliable location tracking in more areas. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both support dual SIM usage, great for managing multiple phone numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128 GB or 64 GB | 256 GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers double the internal storage, beneficial for those who store many photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 4 GB, 6 GB, or 8 GB | 12 GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers significantly more RAM, allowing for better multitasking and smoother app performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a more immersive audio experience with stereo speakers, and better voice capture with three microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | basic fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both have similar biometric security for unlocking the phone. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus screen is more scratch resistant. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides an additional compass, while the Realme 8 has a magnetometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Dedicated Ultrawide and Macro lenses: Offers a different level of versatility in photography.
- Magnetometer: Can be useful for specific apps or tools.
- Lower Cost: Likely to be more affordable, being an older model
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: Modern chipset results in smoother multitasking and gaming.
- 120Hz Display: Smoother scrolling and animations.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: Reduces charging times significantly.
- Better Main Camera: Larger sensor and pixel size suggest superior low light performance
- Much Higher Resolution Selfie Camera Captures more details in selfie photos
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Smoother and higher-quality videos.
- Newer OS: Access to the latest features and security updates.
- More RAM: Better for heavy multitasking and future-proofing.
- More Internal Storage: More space for apps, media, and files.
- Stereo Speakers: Better audio experience for music and videos.
- Superior Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides better scratch resistance for screen.
- Additional GPS capabilities More accurate tracking using more satellite systems
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Sacrifices overall performance, screen quality, and camera features for a lower cost.
- Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: Larger, heavier, and may be more expensive; no included charger
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizing affordability over top-tier performance.
- Users who value lightweight phones: Preferring a more compact and comfortable device for extended use.
- Users interested in specific photography needs: Needing a wide and macro lens for photography versatility
- Users with lighter workloads: Primarily browsing the web, social media, and basic tasks.
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Casual day-to-day use and social media browsing.
- Basic photography with a versatile ultrawide lens.
- Users wanting a very light, thin phone
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Ideal User:
- Performance-oriented users: Requiring a fast phone for gaming and multitasking.
- Multimedia consumers: Enjoying movies, videos, and games with a better display and audio.
- Photography enthusiasts: Seeking better low-light and video performance, advanced features.
- Users valuing longevity: Wanting a phone with the latest software and better future-proofing.
Use Cases for Nothing Phone (2a) Plus:
- Mobile gaming and resource-intensive applications.
- High-quality photo and video capture.
- Heavy multitasking and frequent app switching.
- Users looking for a smooth and fluid daily experience
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a new phone? Is your main priority to save money?
- Performance: Do you require a fast phone for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications?
- Multimedia: How important is display quality, smooth performance, and camera quality for your daily use?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget Saver): If your priority is the lowest possible price and you are okay with basic performance for everyday use, the Realme 8 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2 (Balanced User): If you need a phone that handles daily tasks and some games well, with a good screen and camera, and better future-proofing, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a better investment.
- Scenario 3 (Power User): If you need top-tier performance for gaming, photography, and the best software experience, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better option.
What I would choose and Why
Based on my analysis, I would choose the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
Reasoning:
While the Realme 8 is more affordable, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers a much better overall experience in almost every aspect that I consider crucial. Here's why:
Performance: The Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset delivers significantly better performance than the Helio G95. This means snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities, making it a more pleasant phone to use overall.
Display: The 120Hz refresh rate and higher peak brightness are crucial for me. The smoother scrolling and animations from the 120Hz panel greatly enhance the user experience, while the brighter display is essential for good outdoor visibility.
Camera: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus might offer slightly less photographic versatility with the lack of macro/ultrawide lenses, but the main sensor is far superior in terms of low-light performance. I personally prefer better image quality over multiple lenses, and the addition of OIS in video recording is extremely valuable.
Software and Longevity: The newer OS and guaranteed updates give the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus a longer lifespan, ensuring that I can use the device for years without worrying about outdated software.
Other Features: Details like stereo speakers, significantly more RAM and storage, and faster charging are small yet powerful improvements that improve the daily experience. The improved WiFi and bluetooth standards are also worth having for future-proofing.
Practical Implications:
For me, the enhanced performance, superior display, improved camera and superior software experience of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus justify the likely price premium. The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus simply provides a more fluid, capable and enjoyable experience. While the Realme 8 might be suitable for users on a very tight budget, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is a far better choice for anyone seeking a modern, smooth, and high-performing device, especially given the very low price point at launch.
