“Explore our detailed comparison between the Nothing Phone 3A and OnePlus Not C4 under 25,000 rupees. Our review covers design, display, performance, camera, battery, and software to help you choose the right smartphone.”
With a budget of 25,000 rupees, choosing the ideal smartphone can be challenging. This comprehensive review compares two leading contenders—Nothing Phone 3A and OnePlus Not C4—across key performance metrics to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality
Both devices showcase distinct design philosophies:
- Nothing Phone 3A:
- Futuristic Aesthetics: Features a glass back with a plastic frame, exuding a modern, avant-garde appeal.
- Enhanced Protection: Offers an IP64 rating for slightly improved dust protection.
- OnePlus Not C4:
- Traditional Design: Employs an all-plastic build that results in a boxier, denser feel, though with slimmer bezels for a refined look.
Despite the tactile differences, Nothing Phone 3A’s design edge lies in its premium finish and innovative details like the unique glyph lighting system.
Display Performance
Both smartphones sport similar screen sizes—approximately 6.74 inches for the Nothing Phone 3A versus 6.77 inches for the OnePlus Not C4—but they differ in display quality:
- Nothing Phone 3A:
- Superior Brightness and HDR: Delivers a brighter display that excels in outdoor visibility and supports YouTube HDR content seamlessly.
- Enhanced Responsiveness: Boasts a higher touch sampling rate (480 Hz by default, up to 1,000 Hz in game mode) that improves responsiveness during fast-paced interactions.
- OnePlus Not C4:
- Slimmer Bezels: Offers a sleeker bezel design, though its overall brightness and HDR performance are slightly less impressive.
Audio and Haptic Feedback
Both devices support high-resolution Bluetooth codecs (including LDAC and LHDC) for quality audio streaming. In terms of haptic feedback:
- Nothing Phone 3A delivers a well-tuned x-axis motor for satisfying tactile responses.
- OnePlus Not C4 provides slightly tighter haptic feedback, though differences are subtle during daily use.
Performance and Cooling
The hardware specifications mark a noticeable divergence:
- OnePlus Not C4:
- Robust Specs: Equipped with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, LPDDR4X RAM, and UFS 3.1 storage, which translates into better synthetic benchmark performance.
- Nothing Phone 3A:
- Optimized Tuning: Utilizes the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 paired with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. Despite slightly lower benchmark numbers, improved CPU stability and a larger vapor cooling chamber ensure smoother real-world performance—especially in gaming scenarios.
Battery Life and Charging Capabilities
Battery performance is crucial in the budget segment:
- OnePlus Not C4:
- Higher Capacity: Comes with a 5,500 mAh battery and supports 100W fast charging, reducing full-charge time significantly.
- Nothing Phone 3A:
- Balanced Efficiency: Offers a 5,000 mAh battery with 50W charging (via a USB PD PPS charger), which provides competitive battery life but requires a compatible charger for optimal performance.
Camera Capabilities
Photography is a standout factor in this comparison:
- Nothing Phone 3A:
- Triple-Camera Setup: Features a 50 MP primary sensor, an 8 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50 MP 2x telephoto lens, complemented by a 32 MP selfie camera. This combination delivers finer detail, superior color reproduction, and enhanced HDR performance, making it well-suited for varied photography needs.
- Advanced Portrait and Bokeh Modes: Offers versatile portrait options, including 2x, 3x, and 4x zoom along with creative bokeh effects.
- OnePlus Not C4:
- Capable Imaging: While it provides a competitive camera system, its imaging performance—especially in terms of detail capture and color accuracy—is outclassed by the Nothing Phone 3A.
Video Recording
When it comes to video:
- Nothing Phone 3A:
- Enhanced Video Quality: Supports 4K at 30 FPS with improved HDR and stabilization, ensuring detailed footage with minimal noise.
- Superior Selfie Video: Offers 1080p recording at 60 FPS, delivering clearer and smoother self-recorded videos.
- OnePlus Not C4:
- Standard Capabilities: Also records 4K at 30 FPS, but overall video quality and stabilization are comparatively less refined.
Software Experience
The software ecosystems further differentiate the two devices:
- Nothing Phone 3A:
- Nothing OS 3.1 on Android 15: Emphasizes a clean, premium interface with exclusive features like glyph lighting and the Essential key for quick actions. Additionally, it promises up to three major Android updates and six years of security patches.
- OnePlus Not C4:
- OxygenOS 15 on Android 15: Focuses on modern usability with live activities and advanced AI features, appealing to users who prioritize a feature-rich interface. However, the update lifecycle is more limited compared to Nothing’s offering.
| Feature | Nothing Phone (3a) | OnePlus Nord CE 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (India) | ₹24,999 (8GB+128GB), ₹26,999 (8GB+256GB) | ₹21,998 (8GB+128GB), ₹23,998 (8GB+256GB) |
| Display | 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz, 3000 nits | 6.70-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 |
| RAM & Storage Options | 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB | 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB |
| Expandable Storage | No | Yes, up to 1TB via microSD |
| Rear Cameras | Triple: 50MP + 8MP + 50MP | Dual: 50MP + 8MP |
| Front Camera | 32MP | 16MP |
| Battery Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh |
| Charging | Wired: 50W | SuperVOOC Fast Charging |
| Operating System | Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.1 | Android 14 with OxygenOS 14 |
| Build & Durability | Panda Glass, IP64 | Polycarbonate body, IP54 |
| Special Features | Glyph Interface, NFC | AI-enabled features, HDR10-certified display |
| Weight | Not specified | 186g |
Conclusion
While both the Nothing Phone 3A and OnePlus Not C4 bring compelling features to the sub-25,000 rupee market, the Nothing Phone 3A stands out with its superior camera performance, brighter display, and refined design aesthetics. Consumers seeking a premium look and advanced imaging capabilities will find the Nothing Phone 3A to be the more balanced and future-ready option.
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