Nothing Phone (2a) Plus vs Sony Xperia 1 VI
The Verdict
Nothing Phone 2a Plus delivers exceptional value at $399 with a vibrant 6.7-inch AMOLED display, solid 50MP dual camera setup, and dependable MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro performance for everyday users. Sony Xperia 1 VI commands premium pricing at $1399, justified by flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processing, superior 2100-nit peak brightness, professional-grade camera system with continuous optical zoom, 4K@120fps video, and wireless charging. Performance gap heavily favors Sony, with significantly faster CPU and GPU delivering better gaming and multitasking. Camera quality differs substantially: Sony's Exmoor T sensor, telephoto lens, and advanced video capture beat Nothing's respectable but conventional setup. Xperia's IP68 rating and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 offer better durability than IP54 protection. Battery capacity matches at 5000mAh, though Sony's wireless charging adds convenience. Nothing Phone 2a Plus excels in value proposition and unique Glyph design language, making it ideal for budget-conscious users. Sony Xperia 1 VI targets professionals and enthusiasts demanding cutting-edge specs. Choose Nothing for affordability and design flair, Sony for comprehensive flagship performance.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if…
- →Unique Glyph Interface LEDs for silent notifications and alerts
- →50 MP triple camera system including a strong 50 MP ultrawide
- →Clean, stock-like Nothing OS with fast updates and minimal bloat
Buy the Sony Xperia 1 VI if…
- →Continuous optical zoom telephoto (85-170mm)
- →Pro-grade camera apps for photo and video
- →3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card support
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Pros
- Unique Glyph Interface LEDs for silent notifications and alerts
- 50 MP triple camera system including a strong 50 MP ultrawide
- Clean, stock-like Nothing OS with fast updates and minimal bloat
- 50W fast charging is quick for the 5000 mAh battery
- Premium transparent design stands out in the midrange
Cons
- No wireless charging despite the $399 price
- MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro is less popular with developers
- IP54 splash resistance is below IP68 flagships
- Video limited to 4K@30fps — no 60fps option
- Only 256 GB storage option with no expandable storage
Sony Xperia 1 VI
Pros
- Continuous optical zoom telephoto (85-170mm)
- Pro-grade camera apps for photo and video
- 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card support
- Compact form factor for a flagship
- Very long battery life
Cons
- Resolution dropped from 4K to FHD+ vs predecessor
- Slow 30W charging
- Premium price
- Niche appeal outside enthusiasts
Full Specifications
| Spec | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Sony Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (Nothing OS 2.6) | Android 14 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 190 g | 192 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Glyph Interface LED back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP65/IP68 |
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.55 mm | 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, PDAF, OIS, Sony IMX890 | 48 MP, f/1.9, 1/1.35" Exmor T |
| Front camera | 50 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@120fps HDR |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP, f/2.2, Samsung JN1 | 12 MP, f/2.2, 16mm |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP, f/2.3-3.5, 85-170mm continuous optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB / 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 50W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | Qi wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 2412 x 1084 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 2100 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 + 5x3.2 GHz A720 + 2x2.3 GHz A520) |
| GPU | Mali-G610 MC4 | Adreno 750 |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in phones, see all Nothing products or all Sony products. View full details for the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus or the Sony Xperia 1 VI.