Key Highlights
- Realme launched its Realme 12+ 5G in March 2024
- Nothing entered the mid-range market with the Nothing Phone 2a
- The competitive pricing and features of both phones make for an interesting mid-range segment showdown
Realme introduced its latest mid-range smartphones, the Realme 12 5G series in March 2024. The lineup includes the vanilla Realme 12 5G and the more premium Realme 12+ 5G. On the other hand, Nothing, a London-based brand led by Carl Pei, made its debut in the mid-range smartphone market with the Nothing Phone 2a. Priced at Rs. 20,999, the Realme 12+ 5G boasts several notable features, making it a strong contender in its segment. However, the Nothing Phone 2a, priced slightly higher at Rs. 23,999, also offers impressive specifications. Let’s delve into a detailed comparison between these two smartphones. Also Read | Realme 12+ 5G Review: Your Gateway To Flagship-level Features At An Affordable Price
| Specifications | Realme 12+ 5G | Nothing Phone 2a |
| Display | 6.67 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7050 | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro MT6886 |
| RAM | 8GB + 128GB and 8GB+256GB8GB of Dynamic RAM | 8GB + 128GB, 8GB + 256GB, and 12GB + 256GB |
| Rear Camera | 50MP + 8MP + 2MP | 50MP + 50MP |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP | 32MP |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 5,000mAh |
Design
Design-wise, both phones offer unique aesthetics. The Realme 12+ 5G sports a leather back panel with a luxury watch-inspired design, exuding elegance and sophistication. On the other hand, the Nothing Phone 2a boasts a transparent back with a light-up Glyph interface, adding a futuristic touch to its appearance.
Display
The Realme 12+ 5G boasts a 6.67-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth and fluid visuals. Additionally, it offers a high touch sampling rate of 240Hz, making interactions with the screen incredibly responsive. With a peak brightness of 1200 nits, this display delivers vivid colors and great visibility even in bright sunlight.
On the other hand, the Nothing Phone 2a features a slightly larger 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with the same 120Hz refresh rate. It also offers an impressive peak brightness of 1300 nits, ensuring great clarity and detail. Furthermore, Gorilla Glass 5 protection layered on top adds durability and protection against scratches and accidental drops.
While both displays provide a high refresh rate for smoother motion and vibrant colors, the Nothing Phone 2a’s higher peak brightness offer better outdoor visibility. However, the Realme 12+ 5G’s higher touch sampling rate ensures more responsive touch interactions, which can be particularly beneficial for gaming and scrolling through content.
Ultimately, both phones feature almost identical display sizes with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations. However, the Nothing Phone 2a offers a slightly more vibrant viewing experience with its 120Hz AMOLED display.
Performance
In terms of performance, the Realme 12+ 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, delivering reliable and efficient processing power for everyday tasks and gaming. Paired with up to 8GB of RAM, it ensures smooth multitasking and responsiveness.
The Nothing Phone 2a takes a step further with its MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset, offering even more powerful performance for demanding applications and gaming. Coupled with higher RAM options, it provides users with seamless multitasking and an enhanced overall experience.
Both smartphones offer great performance capabilities, but the Nothing Phone 2a’s powerful 4nm-based chipset can provide a slight edge in processing power and efficiency. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or working on productivity tasks, the Nothing Phone 2a is likely to offer a smoother and more responsive experience.
Camera
On the camera front, the Realme 12+ 5G boasts a macro camera, allowing users to capture intricate details up close. In contrast, the Nothing Phone 2a features an ultrawide camera, enabling users to capture expansive landscapes and group shots with ease. The front camera of the Nothing Phone 2a also stands out, offering a higher resolution for sharper selfies.
Battery and Charging
The Realme 12+ 5G comes equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, ensuring long-lasting usage without frequent recharges. Combined with its efficient MediaTek chipset and optimization, users can expect extended battery life for all-day use.
What sets the Realme 12+ 5G apart is its impressive 67W SUPERVOOC fast charging technology. This feature allows users to quickly recharge their device, providing convenience for those on the go. With such rapid charging speeds, users can get back to full power in no time.
On the other hand, the Nothing Phone 2a also features a 5,000mAh battery, ensuring ample battery life for uninterrupted usage throughout the day. While it may offer similar battery capacity, the Nothing Phone 2a comes with 45W fast charging support, promising to reach 100 percent in just 80 minutes.
While both devices offer same battery capacities, the Realme 12+ 5G’s faster charging technology provides an advantage for users who need quick top-ups. However, the Nothing Phone 2a’s fast charging still offers a convenient solution for keeping the device powered up without lengthy downtimes.
Software and Additional Features
The Realme 12+ 5G runs on Android 14, providing users with the latest features and enhancements from Google’s operating system. It also boasts an IP54 rating, making it resistant to dust and splashes. Meanwhile, the Nothing Phone 2a comes with the Glyph Interface, offering 15 functions through its unique transparent back design. This innovative feature sets it apart from the competition, adding both style and functionality to the device.
Also Read | Nothing Phone 2 Vs Nothing Phone 1: New And Old Gen Nothing Phone Comparison
Price
- Realme 12+ 5G starts at Rs. 20,999 for the base model with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The higher variant with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage is priced at Rs. 21,999.
- Nothing Phone 2a is priced at Rs. 23,999 for the base model with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The higher variant with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage is priced at Rs. 25,999. The variant with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage is priced at Rs. 27,999.
Final Verdict
Overall, the Realme 12+ 5G and the Nothing Phone 2a offer compelling options in the mid-range smartphone market, each with its own set of strengths. If you prioritize performance and a vibrant display, the Nothing Phone 2a with its powerful chipset and 120Hz AMOLED screen may be the right choice for you, despite the slightly higher price tag. Additionally, its unique transparent back with Glyph Interface adds a futuristic appeal.
Ultimately, your decision may come down to personal preferences regarding design, camera features, and budget. Both phones offer great value for money, catering to different user needs and preferences in the competitive mid-range segment.
