- Xiaomi Mi A2 is available in India for Rs 16,999
- Nokia 6.1 Plus is expected to be launched in India on August 21
Xiaomi just launched its much-awaited Mi A2 in India, and it has managed to make a great first impression with its competitive pricing and features. The Android One-powered Mi A2 goes on sale starting August 16, but in the following week is launching another lauded Android One smartphone – Nokia 6.1 Plus.
If you favour stock Android over custom skins on top, Xiaomi Mi A2 and soon-to-be-launched Nokia 6.1 Plus are great options. But the confusion arises when it is time to decide which smartphone to buy at the end of the day. To make the decision easier for buyers, here's a comparison between the Mi A2 and the upcoming Nokia 6.1 Plus.
Before we get to that, it is worth noting that Xiaomi Mi A2 is priced at Rs 16,999 but the pricing for Nokia 6.1 Plus in India is unknown at the moment. Going by the Nokia X6's international pricing, the 4GB+64GB variant (same as the Mi A2 configuration) could be priced at around Rs 18,000. Nokia 6.1 Plus costs HKD 2,288 in Hong Kong, which could also mean the handset could go as high as Rs 20,000.
Until the final pricing of the Nokia 6.1 Plus is announced, here's a comparison of Mi A2 vs Nokia 6.1 Plus.
Design
The biggest difference we see between the Mi A2 and Nokia 6.1 Plus is the notch. While Xiaomi decided to go notch free with 18:9 aspect ratio, Nokia 6.1 Plus boasts a 19:9 aspect ratio with a notch. The next major difference is the Mi A2's metallic shell on the back whereas the Nokia 6.1 Plus features a glass back with aluminium chassis.
If you want a notch-free, metal-clad design, Xiaomi Mi A2 is your choice, but you'll get the premium glass design paired with the latest notched display in Nokia 6.1 Plus. But the glass back is known to be slippery, not to mention attracts smudges, more easily than on a metal back.
Display
Xiaomi Mi A2 features a 5.99-inch Full HD+ display with 2.5D curved glass whereas the Nokia 6.1 Plus has a 5.8-inch Full HD+ display with Gorilla Glass 3. If you're comparing the clarity based on resolution or looking for handiness, both phones will satisfy you equally.
Camera
It is unfair to judge the cameras of each smartphone based on their on-paper specs, so we will reserve our final verdict until we test them internally. But the specifications do give us an idea of how well the phones are equipped to perform.
Xiaomi Mi A2 sports dual cameras at the back with 20MP Sony IMX486 sensor, f/1.75 aperture paired with 20MP Sony IMX376 sensor. There's AI integration that plays a key role in optimising your photos and some samples shared by users on social media have shown favouring results. So we may be inclined towards favouring the Mi A2, but again, let's not jump the gun here.
Nokia 6.1 Plus isn't too bad on the optics. There are dual cameras at the back, which combines 16MP RGB sensor with f/2.0 aperture and 5MP mono sensor. On the front is a 16MP shooter with f/2.0 aperture and AI-assisted portraits for that ideal blur.
On the other hand, Xiaomi Mi A2 has a 20MP f/1.75 sensor on the front for selfies. Even on paper, Xiaomi seems to be taking a lead on this one.
Performance
Both phones are Android One-powered, so there's no debate on the user experience. However, performance matters, which is why it is important to look deep under the hood.
Xiaomi Mi A2 is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor – same as the one found on Nokia 7 Plus. It is paired with 4GB RAM, 64GB storage expandable via microSD card.
As for Nokia, the upcoming smartphone comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset, which powers the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro. It is also paired with 4GB RAM and gets 64GB onboard storage with an option to expand up to 400GB via microSD cards.
As for additional features, both phones have a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, 4G VoLTE support, dual SIM card slots, and USB Type-C port. Nokia 6.1 Plus additionally offers face unlock and 3.5mm headphone jack.
Battery
Finally, it all depends on how last the smartphone can last.
Xiaomi Mi A2 comes with a 3,010mAh battery with Quick Charge 4+. But buyers will have to shell out extra for the quick-charger. On the other hand, Nokia 6.1 Plus comes with 3,060mAh battery with quick charging support via the 5V/2A charger.
Verdict
It depends on what buyers are actually looking for in a smartphone. Xiaomi Mi A2 has a strong camera, offers better performance while Nokia 6.1 Plus looks better with that shiny glass finish and the trendy notch display. The battery and display are practically the same on both phones, which leaves us with the unannounced pricing of Nokia 6.1 Plus to be a tie-breaker.
