In a bit of a switch from our usual deep dives into features and specs, we’re rolling up our sleeves to get into the nitty-gritty of raw performance. This time, we’re pitting three new mid-range smartphones against each other: the iQOO Z9s Pro, OnePlus Nord CE 4, and Nothing Phone 2a Plus.
All three are priced under ₹30,000, making them solid contenders for those who want a lot of bang for their buck. Both the iQOO and OnePlus are armed with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, while the Nothing 2a Plus opts for the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro.
So, get ready because we’re diving headfirst into some serious benchmarking! We’ve set up a level playing field: all phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi, fully charged, in airplane mode, with their refresh rates locked at 120Hz and performance modes cranked up.
And yes, you’ll want to stick around to see the benchmark results! (Please watch the video to see the benchmark results).
Geekbench Showdown
First up, we hit the phones with the Geekbench test. OnePlus came out swinging, finishing the test the quickest. iQOO wasn’t far behind, but the Nothing Phone 2a Plus? It took its sweet time wrapping up.
Temperature check! After the test, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus ran the hottest at 32.1 degrees Celsius. iQOO Z9s Pro clocked in at 31.4 degrees, while the OnePlus Nord CE 4 stayed cool at 31.7 degrees.
Both the OnePlus Nord CE 4 and iQOO Z9s Pro delivered similar overall performance, thanks to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor. However, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus, powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7350 Pro, lagged behind in single-core and multi-core scores.
When we ran our first battery test, iQOO outperformed the others, maintaining a full charge, while the OnePlus Nord CE 4 dropped to 96%, and the Nothing Phone 2a Plus dipped to 98%.
Antutu 10: Round One
Next, we cranked up the heat with the Antutu benchmark. As the video shows, OnePlus Nord CE 4 led the pack again, closely followed by iQOO. Unfortunately, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus trailed behind.
After the benchmark, we took another temperature reading. The OnePlus stayed the coolest at 34.1 degrees Celsius, while iQOO was slightly warmer at 34.9 degrees. The Nothing phone reached a toasty 36.4 degrees.
When it comes to GPU and CPU performance, OnePlus Nord CE 4 consistently outshone its competitors. In memory management, it was neck-and-neck with iQOO Z9s Pro, leaving other devices behind.
Looking at the overall score, OnePlus Nord CE 4 emerged as the clear winner, with iQOO Z9s Pro and Nothing Phone 2a Plus following in second and third place, respectively.
Antutu 10: Round Two
We weren’t done yet! We gave these phones another shot to see if they could maintain their performance in round two. Once again, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 completed the test first, followed by the iQOO Z9s Pro, and then the Nothing 2a Plus.
Surprisingly, the Nothing Phone 2a Plus’s scores remained low in this second attempt. After the test, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 was at 38.7 degrees Celsius, iQOO Z9s Pro hit 42.4 degrees, and the Nothing Phone 2a Plus registered 40.2 degrees.
Stability-wise, iQOO led the way with a solid 95% stability, closely followed by itself (yes, it’s that consistent!) and the OnePlus Nord CE 4, which saw its CPU throttle to 63%. The iQOO Z9s Pro, however, remained stable throughout, with no signs of throttling.
Based on average and maximum performance, the iQOO Z9s Pro claimed the top spot, followed by the OnePlus Nord CE 4 in second place and the Nothing 2a Plus in third.
3D Mark Stress Test
After letting the phones cool down, we jumped into our favorite test: the 3D Mark Wildlife Extreme Stress Test. This one’s all about GPU performance and maintaining stable frame rates over time.
Once the test was done, we checked the CPU temperatures. The OnePlus Nord CE 4 was at 39.8 degrees Celsius, the iQOO Z9s Pro hit 41.5 degrees, and the Nothing Phone 2a Plus climbed to 42.2 degrees.
In terms of stability, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 and Nothing Phone 2a Plus tied at 99.6%, closely followed by the iQOO Z9s Pro. If you’re into heavy gaming, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 is a strong contender because the minimal difference between the best and lowest loop scores on both the iQOO and OnePlus indicates they can handle demanding games like champs.
Verdict: Which One Should You Pick?
Let’s wrap this up! Our tests showed a tight race between the OnePlus Nord CE 4 and iQOO Z9s Pro. The iQOO took the crown in Geekbench and CPU throttling, but the OnePlus edged ahead in Antutu and 3D Mark.
Extra points to the OnePlus Nord CE 4 for being the only phone in this lineup with UFS 3.1 storage, which makes everything feel just that bit smoother.
On the flip side, iQOO is the battery king with its beefy 5,500 mAh battery, holding strong throughout our tests with minimal performance dips. It also brings a sleek design, stunning curved display, and cameras that outshine the Nord CE 4, making it a fantastic all-around choice.
As for the Nothing Phone 2a Plus? It’s a bit of a mixed bag. Sure, its unique design and clean software stand out, but its performance didn’t quite hit the mark. Benchmarks were underwhelming, it got warm during gaming, and the battery life was just okay.
So, it all comes down to what matters most to you. If you’re after a gaming powerhouse, the OnePlus is your go-to. Need balanced performance with a big battery? Then iQOO’s got your back. And if you’re craving a phone with a unique design, the Nothing phone might just be the one for you.
