1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm | 161.7 × 76.3 × 8.5 mm | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is slightly more compact and thinner, potentially more comfortable to hold |
| Weight | 215g | 190g | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is lighter, easier for extended use and portability |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.7" | Negligible difference, both offer large screen experiences |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2412 | Practically identical sharpness |
| PPI | 395 | 395 | Same pixel density, similar screen clarity |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colours, and superior power efficiency, especially in dark mode |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is drastically brighter, offering much better outdoor visibility |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a more modern chip, generally offering better power efficiency and faster performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 627,869 | 805,721 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers faster app loading and smoother multitasking |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Mali-G610 MC4 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’ GPU should provide better gaming performance |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5160mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery sizes suggesting comparable battery life under normal use |
| Charging | 33W fast charging | 50W fast charging | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus charges significantly faster, reducing wait times |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, No charger in box | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus users will need to purchase a charger separately |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.79, 1/2", Sony IMX582 | 50MP, f/1.88, 1/1.56", Samsung GN9 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a larger sensor for better low-light performance; Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a slightly wider aperture |
| Selfie Camera | 20MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", Samsung S5K3T2 | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has much higher resolution and a larger sensor, should produce sharper selfies with better detail |
| Wide Angle lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4", Omnivision OV8856 | N/A | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated wide-angle lens for expansive shots |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Omnivision OV02B1B | N/A | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait effects |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", Hynix HI-259 | N/A | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for closeup photography |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", Samsung S5KJN1 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus utilizes a single lens for both wide-angle and macro functionality |
| Video | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS, OIS | Both offer similar video quality, Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has Optical Image Stabilization |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Dual Camera, Time-Lapse, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has more advanced features, especially OIS and RAW capture |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 (upgradable to 17) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a much newer OS with extended software support |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, offering faster speeds and lower latency |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has newer Bluetooth version, generally more efficient, minor improvement in range and speed |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC System | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus supports more satellite systems providing more accurate location tracking |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both offer dual SIM functionality |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB or 256 GB | 256GB | Both have up to 256 GB |
| RAM | 6 GB or 8 GB | 12 GB | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and demanding apps |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage via microSD card |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has improved audio recording with 3 microphones |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both provide fingerprint security, Nothing Phone (2a) Plus doesn't provide the mounting type (side-mounted, rear-mounted or in-display) |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro uses superior screen protection |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro has an ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor, Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has proximity sensor and gravity sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro Advantages:
- Wider Aperture Standard Camera: The f/1.79 aperture on the main camera may offer slightly better low-light performance in some situations compared to f/1.88 on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
- Dedicated Lenses: The Poco X3 Pro features dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth sensors providing more options for photography
- Screen Protection: Features a slightly better Gorilla Glass version
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Advantages:
- Display Quality: The AMOLED screen offers significantly better contrast, deeper blacks, and vibrant colors. It is also much brighter for outdoor visibility.
- Performance: The MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset offers better performance and efficiency, as shown by the higher benchmark scores and newer 4nm architecture.
- Cameras: Better standard camera sensor, and significantly better selfie camera in both sensor size and resolution.
- Camera Features: Includes OIS, PDAF, Time-Lapse, RAW, and Night Mode, offering more advanced features and superior image quality.
- Software: Ships with a much newer version of Android, offering extended software support.
- Connectivity: Supports the latest WiFi standard and newer Bluetooth version for faster and more reliable connections
- Charging Speed: Significantly faster 50W charging reduces charging times.
- RAM: Significantly larger RAM improves multi-tasking performance
Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro offers a more versatile camera system with dedicated wide-angle, macro, and depth lenses but lacks the overall quality and advanced features of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
- The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has a better display but requires users to purchase a separate charger and a lower Gorilla Glass version on its display protection.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro - Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for good value in the mid-range, prioritizing versatile camera options.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who enjoy experimenting with wide-angle, macro, and portrait photography using dedicated lenses.
- Users preferring more robust screen protection: Users who may be clumsy and require a durable phone screen.
Use Cases:
- Casual photography using different camera perspectives.
- Media consumption with decent display quality.
- Users looking for more camera versatility within the budget.
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus - Ideal Users:
- Performance Seekers: Users who want smooth performance for gaming, multitasking, and app use.
- Display Lovers: Users who want the best display quality with vibrant colours, deep blacks, and high brightness.
- Photography Lovers: Users who prioritize picture quality, and need OIS to help take better shots.
- Future Proofers: Users who want the latest software and connectivity features
- Aesthetically Driven: Users who prefer a unique design and appreciate a clean, modern OS
Use Cases:
- Gaming and graphically intensive applications.
- Watching high-quality videos and movies.
- Taking high quality pictures and videos with OIS.
- Users who value long-term software support.
- Daily users that require long battery life with fast charging
Price-to-Value:
- Without specific pricing information, it's impossible to assess price-to-value accurately. However, if the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is priced competitively, it offers a better overall experience due to better display, performance, and camera features. The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro excels at a lower price-point due to the additional features (wide-angle, macro, portrait) of its camera system.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What do I prioritize most: Display, Performance, or Camera Versatility? (This helps weigh the strengths of each phone.)
- Is a better display quality (AMOLED) and modern software more important than dedicated camera lenses and robust display protection? (This helps decide if the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus or Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is a better fit.)
- What is my budget, and how important is fast charging? (This will determine if the additional cost of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is justified.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: User wants a balanced phone with good features, performance, and camera without breaking the bank.
- Recommendation: If on a very tight budget, go with Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. If not, Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides the best bang for your buck with the improved display, performance, and camera system.
- Scenario 2: User is a heavy gamer and media consumer who values a great display and wants fast charging.
- Recommendation: Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the clear winner due to its superior display, more powerful chipset, and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: User loves experimenting with photography and values different camera options such as wide-angle, macro and portrait.
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro provides the most versatile camera system with dedicated lenses. Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is still a better choice if picture quality is preferred over versatile camera lenses.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
Here's why:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display is a significant upgrade over the IPS LCD, offering a much more immersive and visually pleasing experience. This is important for my daily media consumption and general usage.
- Better Performance: The newer chipset provides a noticeable boost in performance, making the phone feel smoother and more responsive.
- Better Cameras While the Poco X3 Pro has the versatility of a quad camera with dedicated lenses for all use cases, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus's camera system provides superior image quality.
- Longer Software Support: The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides a much newer Android OS version and more future updates
- Faster Charging: This is important in day to day life, where a quick charge is crucial.
While the lack of a charger in the box and the less robust screen protection is a slight drawback, the advantages of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus outweigh these compromises for my usage. The overall experience with its display and performance benefits will enhance my daily smartphone usage. The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro does offer versatility in camera lenses, but lacks the overall image quality and the more modern feel provided by the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
