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Nothing Phone 3a vs. OnePlus Nord CE 4 vs. POCO F6: Which Mid-Range Powerhouse Wins?
The mid-range smartphone market is more competitive than ever, with brands pushing boundaries to deliver top-tier features at affordable prices. Though Nothing Phone 3a is not announced yet, but its making lots of noise in the mid-range smartphone category. Thanks to various leaks, we know a little what we can get with the upcoming Nothing phone. So, we can expect that the mobile is going to give a strong fight to its contenders available or expected to be launched.
Out of many popular mid-range mobiles we picked two popular ones to compare with expected Nothing Phone 3a. OnePlus Nord CE 4, and POCO F6—are dominating the ₹25,000–₹30,000 price segment. But once Nothing Phone 3a will enter the market which one will offer the best value? Let’s break it down on the basis of the leaks and rumours we got about Nothing Phone 3a.
Design & Build: Transparent Beauty vs. Classic Refinements
Nothing Phone 3a
- Unique transparent back with Glyph Interface—a head-turner!
- Lightweight yet solid build with aluminum frame.
- New Action/Camera button—similar to iPhone’s Action button.
OnePlus Nord CE 4
- Clean, glass-like plastic back with a pill-shaped camera module.
- No Alert Slider (a downside for OnePlus fans).
- IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance.
POCO F6
- Matte plastic back with shimmery texture (feels less premium than the competition).
- IP64 rating—better water resistance than Nord CE 4.
- Slim bezels and a lightweight design (179g).
Winner:Nothing Phone 3a for its eye-catching transparent design and Glyph Interface.
Display: Smoothness Meets Brightness
| Phone | Display | Refresh Rate | Brightness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone 3a | 6.8" OLED, FHD+ | 120Hz | 1,400 nits |
| OnePlus Nord CE 4 | 6.7" AMOLED, FHD+ | 120Hz | 1,100 nits |
| POCO F6 | 6.67" LTPS AMOLED, 1.5K | 120Hz | 2,400 nits |
Winner:POCO F6—its 1.5K resolution and 2,400-nit brightness make it superior for outdoor visibility and HDR content.
Performance: Snapdragon Showdown
| Phone | Processor | RAM & Storage | Software |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone 3a | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | 8GB/12GB RAM, 128GB/256GB | Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15) |
| OnePlus Nord CE 4 | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 | 8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB | OxygenOS 14 (Android 14) |
| POCO F6 | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | 8GB/12GB RAM, 256GB/512GB (UFS 4.0) | HyperOS (Android 14) |
- The POCO F6 has the most powerful chip (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3), offering flagship-like performance.
- Nord CE 4 and Nothing Phone 3a are solid but weaker, with 7-series chips.
- POCO F6 wins in storage too—UFS 4.0 makes app launches and data transfers faster.
Winner:POCO F6—for its flagship-level Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip and UFS 4.0 storage.
Camera: Who Clicks the Best Shots?
| Phone | Rear Camera | Front Camera | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone 3a | 50MP (main) + 50MP (telephoto, 2x zoom) + 8MP (ultrawide) | 32MP | New Camera Button for Quick Snaps |
| OnePlus Nord CE 4 | 50MP (Sony LYT-600) + 8MP (ultrawide) | 16MP | OIS, 4K recording |
| POCO F6 | 50MP (Sony IMX882) + 8MP (ultrawide) | 20MP | OIS, AI features |
- Nothing Phone 3a has the best camera setup—a dedicated 50MP telephoto lens is a big advantage.
- Nord CE 4 & POCO F6 lack telephoto zoom but offer decent stabilization and AI-powered enhancements.
Winner:Nothing Phone 3a—for its dedicated 50MP telephoto sensor and innovative Camera Button.
Battery & Charging: Power That Lasts?
| Phone | Battery | Charging Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone 3a | 5,000mAh | 45W wired |
| OnePlus Nord CE 4 | 5,500mAh | 100W wired |
| POCO F6 | 5,000mAh | 90W wired |
- Nord CE 4 leads with a 5,500mAh battery and 100W charging—0-100% in under 35 mins!
- POCO F6 is fast too (90W) but has a slightly smaller battery.
- Nothing Phone 3a lags behind (45W)—not bad, but slower than rivals.
Winner:OnePlus Nord CE 4—for its biggest battery and fastest charging (100W).
Software & Updates: The Longest Lifespan?
| Phone | OS Version | Updates Promised |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone 3a | Android 15 (Nothing OS 3.1) | 3 Android updates, 4 years security |
| OnePlus Nord CE 4 | Android 14 (OxygenOS 14) | 2 Android updates, 3 years security |
| POCO F6 | Android 14 (HyperOS) | 3 Android updates, 4 years security |
- Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15) offers a clean, bloat-free UI.
- POCO F6 and Nothing Phone 3a both promise 3 major Android updates—good for long-term use.
- Nord CE 4 falls behind—only 2 Android updates.
Winner:Nothing Phone 3a & POCO F6 (tie)—for longer update support and a cleaner UI.
Pricing & Value: What’s the Best Deal?
| Phone | Price (Expected) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone 3a | ₹23,999–₹25,999 | Design lovers & camera enthusiasts |
| OnePlus Nord CE 4 | ₹24,999–₹26,999 | Battery, fast charging & clean UI |
| POCO F6 | ₹29,999–₹33,999 | Performance & gaming |
Winner:Nothing Phone 3a—for offering great design, a dedicated telephoto lens, and long software support at an affordable price.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?
Best Overall: Nothing Phone 3a—stunning transparent design, innovative camera features, and long-term software support.
Best for Performance & Gaming: POCO F6—flagship-grade Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 & 1.5K display.
Best Battery & Charging: OnePlus Nord CE 4—5500mAh battery & 100W charging.
Ultimately, your choice depends on what matters most to you—design & camera (Nothing Phone 3a), raw power (POCO F6), or battery & fast charging (OnePlus Nord CE 4). What’s your pick?
Disclaimer: The information regarding the gadgets/devices listed in the table and article has been sourced from various secondary sources. For detailed product specifications, please refer to the brand sources.