The hype around the Nothing Phone (2a) has been unreal, with its unique transparent design and solid specs for the price. But maybe that whole "designed to be a head-turner" vibe isn't for you. Or perhaps you want better performance, cameras, or just something a bit different. Well, don't sweat it - the mid-range arena is packed with worthy rivals that give the 2a a run for its money. Let's dive into six other killer options around that price bracket. Redmi Note 13 Pro (Rs 25,999) The Redmi Note 13 Pro makes a strong case as the most compelling alternative with its crazy value proposition. Unlike the easily scratchable back on the Nothing Phone 2a, the Redmi Note 13 Pro sports a glass back. It also boasts some of the slimmest bezels in this price range. Then there's the 200MP primary camera, which Xiaomi claims delivers flagship-level performance. It’s backed by an 8MP ultrawide and a 2MP macro, while the front houses a 16MP selfie shooter. However, the Nothing Phone 2a still edges ahead with megapixel counts on its 50MP ultrawide and 32MP selfie camera. Under the hood, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 keeps things humming, performing on par with the Dimensity 7200 Pro in the Phone 2a, at least on paper. The 5,000mAh battery juices up at 67W. If the starting price seems a tad high, the regular Redmi Note 13 is also an option. Poco X6 Pro (Rs 25,999) The Nothing Phone 2a's MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chip is no slouch, but the Poco X6 Pro kicks things into overdrive with the flagship-grade Dimensity 8300 Ultra – currently the best-performing chipset you'll find at this price point. In fact, it goes toe-to-toe with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in benchmarks. But the best part? This phone doesn't cut corners elsewhere, rocking a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, a 64MP triple camera setup, and a 5,000mAh battery with 67W turbo charging. Motorola Edge 40 Neo (Rs 22,999) It may not offer the zippiest performance in this lineup, but like the Nothing Phone 2a, it runs a clean, stock Android skin – a tempting proposition for fans of minimalist software. But that's just one of its draws. It's one of the slimmest and lightest smartphones around, measuring a mere 7.9mm thick and tipping the scales at just 170 grams. It's also IP68-rated, so it'll survive the occasional dunk in shallow water. Last but not least, the curved display boasts a staggering 144Hz refresh rate. Samsung Galaxy A34 (Rs 24,499) The Samsung Galaxy A34 might not wow with specs or design, but it's got that sweet One UI advantage – easily one of the most feature-packed skins on Android. Plus, it's guaranteed to get 4 generations of Android OS updates and 5 years of security patches, which is the best software support in this bunch. If you're a Samsung ecosystem fan with a Rs 25K budget, this could be your pick. Spec-wise, it packs a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, the Dimensity 1080 chip, a 48MP main rear camera, 8MP ultra-wide camera, 5MP macro camera, and a 5,000mAh battery. An IP67 rating also keeps the phone safe against the elements. iQOO Z9 (Rs 19,999) You might be wondering why we're including this significantly more affordable option in the mix. Well, it offers nearly the same specs as the Nothing Phone 2a, starting with that Dimensity 7200 chip. It also boasts a 50MP IMX882 sensor with OIS as its primary camera, which should theoretically outperform the Phone 2a's main shooter. The catch is that skips an ultrawide for a boring 2MP macro sensor. But again, just like the Phone 2a, you get a 6.67-inch display and a 5,000mAh battery with 44W charging support. Realme 12 Pro (Rs 24,999) Rounding out the chart is the Realme 12 Pro. Its standout feature is the 32MP 2x telephoto zoom camera, joined by a 50MP primary camera and an 8MP ultrawide, making it the most versatile camera system here. The display stretches 6.7 inches, and the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 keeps things ticking. If transparent designs aren't your vibe but you still want to turn heads, the Realme 12 Pro's flashy blue and gold colorway might be just the ticket.
