The sub-Rs 25,000 smartphone market is so crowded that finding the ideal device feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. If you’re in the market for a phone within this price range and considering the newly launched Realme 13+ or the much-praised Phone (2a), we’re here to help clear up that confusion. Having tested both devices, we’ll guide you in finding the perfect mid-ranger for your needs. So, let’s dive in.
As you can see, the Realme starts at a slightly lower price and offers more storage options than Nothing. Additionally, if you’re looking for 12GB of RAM, the 13+ is your only option.
Realme 13+ vs Nothing Phone (2a): Design
Specs
Realme 13+
Nothing Phone (2a)
Dimensions
Width: 74.7mm
Length: 161.7mm
Depth: 7.6mm
Width: 76.32 mm
Height: 161.74 mm
Depth: 8.55 mm
Weight
185 g
190 g
Realme offers three colour options for the 13+: Victory Gold, Speed Green, and Dark Purple. If you like a shiny and flashy look, the Gold variant is the way to go. For those who prefer a more understated appearance, the Purple option provides a sleek and subtle finish. The Phone’s glossy back is also smudge-resistant, keeping it looking clean and polished.
In terms of overall design, Realme sticks to the design language seen in many of its other smartphones. The large circular camera island on the back adds a premium touch and looks quite appealing.
On the other hand, Nothing continues with its iconic design featuring a transparent back and LED lights. However, unlike its flagship models like the Phone (1) and (2), this mid-range option has fewer lights and a slightly darker back. Initially launched in simple white and black, Nothing has since introduced new colours, including a Blue variant specific to India. Each of these colours brings its unique personality to the device.
So, when it comes to design, the choice is straightforward. If you prefer flashy looks, go for the 13+. But if you want something that stands out in a sea of glass slabs, the Phone (2a) is the perfect pick.
Realme 13+ vs Nothing Phone (2a): Display
Specs
Realme 13+
Nothing Phone (2a)
Type
OLED
AMOLED
Size
6.67-inch
6.7-inch
Peak brightness
2000 nits
1300 nits
Both devices feature nearly identical AMOLED panels with a 120Hz refresh rate. The key difference lies in peak brightness. Realme claims the 13+ can reach up to 2000 nits, but in our tests, it topped out at 1610 nits. This is still impressive, and the display remains visible even in direct sunlight. Realme 13+
In contrast, the Phone (2a) supports up to 1300 nits of peak brightness, which might seem lower than that of the 13+. However, in real-world usage, we had no issues using the device in direct sunlight, so there’s no reason for concern. Nothing Phone (2a)
Another significant difference between these devices is their Widevine support. The 13+ only offers L3 support, meaning you won’t be able to stream full HD videos on certain platforms. On the other hand, the Phone (2a) comes with L1 support, which means watching the HDR content on streaming apps is a no-brainer. Aside from these differences, both devices deliver vibrant colours, sharpness, and an overall good viewing experience.
So, if high brightness matters, the Realme 13+ is the option and if better Widevine support is important to you, the Phone (2a) will be your option.
Realme 13+ vs Nothing Phone (2a): Performance and UI
Specs
Realme 13+
Nothing Phone (2a)
OS
Android 14
Android 14
UI
Realme UI 5.0
Nothing OS 2.6
Chipset
Dimensity 7300 Energy
Dimensity 7200 Pro
GPU
Arm Mali-G615
Mali-G610 MC4
Both devices are powered by MediaTek SoCs, with Realme choosing the Dimensity 7300-Energy and Nothing opting for the Dimensity 7200 Pro. Daily tasks like scrolling through social media, sending emails, and making calls performed smoothly on both devices.
However, in 2024, most smartphones in this price range handle these tasks with ease. To give you a better perspective, we ran popular benchmark tests like AnTuTu and Geekbench on both devices and here’s how they compared:
realme 13 Plus 5G
735,036
Nothing Phone 2a
692,449
AnTuTu Overall benchmark score analysis
Nothing Phone 2a
1,132
realme 13 Plus 5G
1,044
Geekbench single-core benchmark score analysis
realme 13 Plus 5G
2,958
Nothing Phone 2a
2,601
Geekbench multi-core benchmark score analysis
That said, benchmark scores don’t always reflect real-world performance. So, to test this, we played popular games like Call of Duty: Mobile and BGMI on both devices. Here’s how they held up:
Phone
Call of Duty Mobile
BGMI
Realme 13+
Max graphics: Very High + Very High
Max graphics: Ultra + Ultra
Max FPS: 60.2
Max FPS: 40.5
Min FPS: 60.2
Min FPS: 38.5
Low graphics: Low + Ultra
Low graphics: Smooth + Extreme+
Max FPS (Low): 89.6
Max FPS (Low): 90.5
Min FPS (Low): 86.6
Min FPS (Low): 86.6
Nothing Phone (2a)
Max graphics: Very High + Very High
Max graphics: HDR + Ultra
Max FPS: 60
Max FPS: 40.3
Min FPS: 56
Min FPS: 35.4
Low graphics: Low + Ultra
Low graphics: Smooth + Extreme
Max FPS (Low): 90.1
Max FPS (Low): 60
Min FPS (Low): 83.1
Min FPS (Low): 57
When it comes to software, Nothing takes the lead. It offers a sleek, minimalist design based on Android 14, free from bloatware and ads. In contrast, the 13+ comes with some pre-installed apps and the notorious “Hot Apps” and “Hot Games” apps, along with a few spammy notifications. Nothing Phone (2a)
Nothing also leads in terms of software updates, promising three years of OS updates and four years of security patches. Realme, on the other hand, offers two major OS updates and three years of security patches.
Both devices feature a dual-camera setup with a 50MP primary shooter. The key difference lies in the secondary sensor: Nothing uses another 50MP sensor for ultra-wide shots, while Realme includes a 2MP macro sensor, which isn’t particularly noteworthy.
In bright conditions, the 13+ can capture great photos with almost natural colours and plenty of detail. However, it often struggles with exposure, making it hit-or-miss when it comes to getting the perfect shot. These challenges become more pronounced in low-light settings.
Realme 13+ Camera Samples
1 of 7
The portrait mode on the 13+ delivers decent results, with accurate skin tones and good edge detection. For selfie enthusiasts, the 13+ offers detailed shots, but exposure can still be tricky, especially in direct sunlight.
In contrast, the Phone (2a) feels superior, with images that give off the impression of being taken with a more expensive smartphone rather than a budget-friendly device. Daytime photos are sharp and detailed, with accurate skin tones. While the camera struggles slightly in pitch-dark environments, the results are still good enough for social media.
Nothing Phone (2a) Camera Samples
1 of 7
Additionally, night-time shots, even in dimly lit indoor situations, are quite impressive. The selfie camera on the Phone (2a) also performs well, making it a more ideal choice.
Realme 13+ vs Nothing Phone (2a): Battery Life and Charging
Both devices come with a standard 5,000mAh battery, which lasts a full day on a single charge. So, in terms of battery life, you won’t have any issues with either device. But to give you a clearer picture, we ran the PCMark battery test on both, and here’s how they performed:
Device
PCMark Battery Test
Realme 13+
14 hours 18 minutes
Nothing Phone (2a)
15 hours 40 minutes
The Phone (2a) wins by a small margin but the real difference between these two devices lies in the charging department. The 13+ supports 80W fast charging, while the Phone (2a) only supports 45W. However, do note that Realme includes the charging adapter in the box, whereas Nothing does not, meaning you’ll need to purchase it separately.
That sums up pretty much everything about the Realme 13+ and the Nothing Phone (2a), which both have their strengths and weaknesses. However, if you are still not sure which is the perfect device for you, consider the following points:
Choose the 13+ if you prefer a flashy design, fast charging, and a smartphone with a slight edge in performance.
Opt for the Phone (2a) if want a unique design and a well-rounded package with strong performance, excellent camera quality, and refined software.
