Are you looking for a phone that meets all your needs and is priced under INR 25,000? Well, we have a few contenders here. The recently launched iQOO Z9, the Nothing Phone 2a, and the previously best phone in the price segment, the POCO X6. Which one should you buy? Let’s find out in this head-to-head spec comparison between the iQOO Z9, the POCO X6, and the Nothing Phone 2a.
iQOO Z9 Vs POCO X6 Vs Nothing Phone 2a: Pricing
Before we get started with the specs, let’s quickly take a look at the price of the three phones. The iQOO Z9 is the most affordable of all, starting at INR 19,999 for the 8 GB + 128 GB variant. However, if you want more storage, then the POCO X6 is also available at the exact same price as the iQOO Z9’s 8 GB + 256 GB at INR 21,999.
The Nothing Phone 2a is the most expensive of the three phones, starting at INR 23,999 for the 8 GB + 128 GB variant. It is worth noting that if you want 512 GB storage, the POCO X6 is the only option available. The Nothing Phone 2a does offer 12 GB RAM coupled with 256 GB of storage, though. Here’s a summary of the prices of the iQOO Z9, POCO X6, and the Nothing Phone 2a.
| Phone | Variant | Price (INR) |
| iQOO Z9 | 8 GB + 128 GB | 19,999 |
| 8 GB + 256 GB | 21,999 | |
| POCO X6 | 8 GB + 256 GB | 21,999 |
| 12 GB + 256 GB | 23,999 | |
| 12 GB + 512 GB | 24,999 | |
| Nothing Phone 2a | 8 GB + 128 GB | 23,999 |
| 8 GB + 256 GB | 25,999 | |
| 12 GB + 256 GB | 27,999 |
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iQOO Z9 Vs POCO X6 Vs Nothing Phone 2a: Design & Build
All three smartphones have a plastic build all around, including a plastic frame and a plastic back. The iQOO Z9 has a matte finish on the rear while the POCO X6 and the Nothing Phone 2a settle for a more glossy-like finish. All three smartphones come in different colors.
The Nothing Phone 2a stands out due to its unique design with dual cameras in the center, a transparent back panel, and glyph LEDs. Having said that, Nothing Phone 2a also attracts smudges more than competition and gets easily scratched. All the phones lean towards a boxy design with no major difference.
On the front, all smartphones feature a center punch-hole camera cutout. The iQOO Z9 is protected by DT-Star2 Plus Glass Protection, the POCO X6 by Gorilla Glass Victus, and the Nothing Phone 2a by Gorilla Glass 5.
Both the iQOO Z9 and the Nothing Phone 2a weigh similarly, at 188g and 190g, respectively. In comparison, the POCO X6 is lighter, weighing in at 181g. All three devices are rated IP54 dust and water-resistant.
iQOO Z9 Vs POCO X6 Vs Nothing Phone 2a: iQOO Z9 Vs POCO X6 Vs Nothing Phone 2a: Display
Moving on from the design, all the smartphones have pretty similar displays with some minor differences here and there. The iQOO Z9 sports a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and 1800 nits of peak brightness.
The POCO X6 has a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and 1800 nits of peak brightness. The display is also adaptive and can switch between 30 Hz, 60 Hz, 90 Hz, and 120 Hz. Although the peak brightness is the same as the iQOO Z9, the POCO X6’s display should be brighter thanks to the higher HBM brightness at 1200 nits.
The Nothing Phone 2a features a 6.7-inch 120Hz adaptive AMOLED screen with a peak brightness of 1300 nits. In High Brightness Mode (HBM), the display can reach up to 1100 nits, slightly lower than the POCO X6. All the phones have an in-display fingerprint sensor. Overall, the POCO X6 boasts the best display among the three phones, but opting for either of the other two shouldn’t be a huge difference.
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iQOO Z9 Vs POCO X6 Vs Nothing Phone 2a: Camera
The iQOO Z9 has a 50MP IMX882 main sensor with OIS and a 2 MP depth sensor that’s not going to do anything. The POCO X6, on the other hand, has a 64 MP, f/1.8, main sensor with OIS, an 8 MP, f/2.2, ultra-wide lens with 118° FOV, and a 2 MP macro shooter.
The Nothing Phone 2a has a 50 MP, f/1.9, main sensor with OIS, and a 50 MP Samsung JN1, f/2.2, ultra-wide lens with 114° FOV. Both the iQOO Z9 and the POCO X6 have a 16 MP front camera while the Nothing Phone 2a has a 32 MP shooter.
Overall, the Nothing Phone 2a seems to have the best camera setup if you merely look at the numbers. However, the iQOO Z9 should take better photos, thanks to the Sony IMX882 main sensor and better optimization.
iQOO Z9 Vs POCO X6 Vs Nothing Phone 2a: Performance
Powering the iQOO Z9 is the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chip, which scores 734K in AnTuTu benchmark. The Nothing Phone 2a has a similar chip, the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro, which also scores a similar number in the AnTuTu benchmark. There is practically no difference between the Dimensity 7200 and the 7200 Pro.
However, there is a difference between the Dimensity 7200 and the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 powering the POCO X6. Both Dimensity rivals boast a better GPU, and a better modem, and are based on TSMC’s 2nd-gen 4nm process, unlike the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, which is based on the 1st-gen 4nm process. For those wondering, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 scores around 600K in the AnTuTu benchmark.
Nonetheless, it’s important to note that none of these smartphones are meant for heavy gaming or intensive tasks. If you prioritize performance, you can’t go wrong with either the Nothing Phone 2a or the iQOO Z9.
iQOO Z9 Vs POCO X6 Vs Nothing Phone 2a: Battery & Charging
The iQOO Z9 comes with a 5000 mAh battery and support for 44W fast charging (charger included in the box). On the other hand, the POCO X6 has a slightly larger 5160 mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging (charger included in the box).
The Nothing Phone 2a has a 5000 mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging but the charger is not included in the box which can be a huge bummer for some.
iQOO Z9 Vs POCO X6 Vs Nothing Phone 2a: Software & Updates
The iQOO Z9 comes pre-installed with FuntouchOS 14, which is based on Android 14. The POCO X6 runs on MIUI 14, which is, unfortunately, based on Android 13. Finally, the Nothing Phone 2a runs on NothingOS 2.5, which is based on Android 14 as well.
The iQOO Z9 is promised to receive two major OS updates and three years of security updates while the POCO X6 and the Nothing Phone 2a are promised three major OS updates and four years of security updates. But since the POCO X6 boots into Android 13 out-of-the-box, it would only receive the same amount of updates as the iQOO Z9.
POCO and iQOO don’t have a pretty good track record when it comes to delivering bug-free updates on time. If you are a stock Android fan and updates are a priority for you, the Nothing Phone 2a should be your pick.
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iQOO Z9 Vs POCO X6 Vs Nothing Phone 2a: Wrapping Up
| Specification | iQOO Z9 | POCO X6 | Nothing Phone 2a |
| Design & Build | Plastic build, matte finish, DT-Star2 Plus Glass Protection | Plastic build, glossy finish, Gorilla Gorilla Victus | Plastic build, 3 Glyph LEDs, transparent back panel, Gorilla Gorilla 5 |
| Display | 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz, 1800 nits peak brightness | 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz, 1800 nits peak brightness, adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz | 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED, 1300 nits peak brightness, 1100 nits in HBM |
| Camera | 50 MP main sensor with OIS, 2 MP depth sensor | 64 MP main sensor with OIS, 8 MP ultra-wide lens, 2 MP macro shooter | 50 MP main sensor with OIS, 50 MP ultra-wide lens |
| Performance | MediaTek Dimensity 7200, 734K in AnTuTu | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, 600K in AnTuTu | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro, 700K in AnTuTu |
| Battery & Charging | 5000mAh, 44W fast charging | 5160mAh, 67W fast charging | 5000mAh, 45W fast charging (charger not included) |
| Software & Updates | FuntouchOS 14 (Android 14), 2 major OS updates, 3 years of security updates | MIUI 14 (Android 13), 3 major OS updates, 4 years of security updates | NothingOS 2.5 (Android 14), 3 major OS updates, 4 years of security updates |
Who Should Buy the iQOO Z9?
The iQOO Z9 is an ideal choice for you if you want a better main camera and are looking for a smartphone priced under INR 20,000. Its 50MP IMX882 main sensor with OIS delivers impressive photography capabilities, making it a suitable option for camera enthusiasts on a budget.
Who Should Buy the POCO X6?
The POCO X6 is perfect for you if you want a smartphone with a larger battery and faster charging. Additionally, if you value custom ROM support, a better display, and extra storage options, the POCO X6 is a great choice. Remember that this is the only option if you want 512 GB of storage.
Who Should Buy the Nothing Phone 2a?
The Nothing Phone 2a is the overall best with a great display, great cameras, and software. With features like Glyph LEDs and a transparent back panel, this phone stands out from the crowd. Moreover, if you want the stock Android experience with longer and better software support, the Nothing Phone 2a is the right fit for you.
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