Nothing Phone (2a) Plus vs Xiaomi 15
The Verdict
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus offers impressive value at $399 with its distinctive Glyph Interface LED design, capable 50MP main camera with OIS, and bright 1300-nit AMOLED display. MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro handles everyday tasks competently, while the 5000mAh battery supports 50W charging. Xiaomi 15 commands a $200 premium but delivers flagship performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, superior 3200-nit display, significantly faster 90W charging plus 50W wireless option, 8K video recording, and a telephoto lens absent in the Nothing. Build quality edges toward Xiaomi with IP68 rating versus IP54. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing design and solid mid-range performance, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus excels. Those seeking cutting-edge performance, advanced camera versatility, and premium features should invest in the Xiaomi 15.
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 Xiaomi 15 if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers top-tier performance
- →Triple 50MP camera system with Leica optics at a competitive price
- →Compact 6.36-inch size with flagship specs — rare in 2025
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
Xiaomi 15
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Elite delivers top-tier performance
- Triple 50MP camera system with Leica optics at a competitive price
- Compact 6.36-inch size with flagship specs — rare in 2025
- Blazing 90W wired charging fills the 5400 mAh battery in under 30 minutes
- 3200-nit peak brightness is excellent for outdoor visibility
Cons
- HyperOS still carries some bloatware and ad placements
- 2.6x telephoto lacks the reach of 5x periscope competitors
- Limited global availability compared to Samsung and Apple
- No headphone jack
Full Specifications
| Spec | Nothing Phone (2a) Plus | Xiaomi 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (Nothing OS 2.6) | Android 15 (HyperOS 2) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 190 g | 191 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Glyph Interface LED back | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.55 mm | 152.3 x 71.2 x 8.08 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, PDAF, OIS, Sony IMX890 | 50 MP, f/1.6, OIS (Light Fusion 900 sensor) |
| Front camera | 50 MP, f/2.2 | 32 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP, f/2.2, Samsung JN1 | 50 MP, f/2.2, 115-degree |
| Telephoto | — | 50 MP, f/2.0, 2.6x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB / 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5400 mAh |
| Charging | 50W wired | 90W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 50W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.36 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2412 x 1084 | 2670 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 1-120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 3200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) | Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) |
| GPU | Mali-G610 MC4 | Adreno 830 |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro 5G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| 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.
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