The sub-$600 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Oppo A12 and Nokia 3.4 represent compelling options for users prioritizing affordability. While both aim to deliver a functional Android experience, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications of the Mediatek Helio P35 in the Oppo A12 versus the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 in the Nokia 3.4.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Nokia 3.4 emerges as the slightly better choice. The Snapdragon 460, built on an 11nm process, offers a more efficient architecture than the Helio P35’s 12nm node, translating to smoother multitasking and potentially better long-term performance. While both phones are budget-focused, the Nokia 3.4 provides a more modern foundation.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 13, 28, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 20. Released 2020, April 20 | 2020, September 22. Released 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 155.9 x 75.5 x 8.3 mm (6.14 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) | 161 x 76 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4230 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Fjord, Dusk, Charcoal |
| Models | CPH2083, CPH2077 | TA-1288, TA-1285, TA-1283 |
| Price | About 560 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.83 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.56 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 3GB RAM | $ 519.00 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | $ 539.00 | - |
Oppo A12
- Potentially lower price point (depending on configuration)
- Available with 3GB or 4GB of RAM for budget flexibility
- Mediatek Helio P35 is a proven, if older, chipset
- Less efficient 12nm manufacturing process
- Older Cortex-A53 architecture limits performance
- Likely inferior image processing capabilities
Nokia 3.4
- More efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset (11nm)
- Superior Cortex-A73 cores for improved performance
- Cleaner Android One software experience
- Potentially longer software support
- May be slightly more expensive than the Oppo A12
- 10W charging is relatively slow
- Base model may only have 3GB of RAM
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor Nokia provide display specifications beyond the basic screen size. However, given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels. The key difference lies under the hood. The Snapdragon 460’s more efficient architecture allows for potentially better power management, which could translate to slightly improved battery life during display-intensive tasks. Without knowing the specific brightness levels or color accuracy, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner, but the Nokia 3.4 benefits from the chipset’s overall efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are absent from the provided data. However, given the market segment, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups. The focus should be on image processing capabilities, which are heavily tied to the chipset. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets generally offer superior image signal processing (ISP) capabilities compared to Mediatek’s Helio series. This translates to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. While sensor size and lens aperture would be crucial factors, the Snapdragon 460’s ISP gives the Nokia 3.4 an edge.
Performance
The core of the difference between these two phones is the chipset. The Oppo A12’s Mediatek Helio P35 utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture with Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.35 GHz and 1.8 GHz. The Nokia 3.4, however, features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, employing Cortex-A73 cores at 1.8 GHz alongside A53 cores. The A73 cores represent a significant architectural improvement over the A53, offering better single-core performance – crucial for responsive app launches and smoother UI navigation. The Snapdragon 460’s 11nm manufacturing process further enhances efficiency compared to the Helio P35’s 12nm node, reducing heat and improving sustained performance. This benefits users who engage in moderate multitasking or light gaming.
Battery Life
Again, specific battery capacities are not provided. However, the Snapdragon 460’s 11nm process offers a significant advantage in power efficiency. This means the Nokia 3.4 is likely to achieve comparable or better battery life than the Oppo A12, even with a similar battery capacity. The Nokia 3.4 also includes 10W wired charging, a standard offering in this price range. Without knowing the Oppo A12’s charging speed, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison, but the Snapdragon 460’s efficiency is a key differentiator.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A12 if you prioritize maximizing RAM for basic multitasking and are comfortable with a potentially less refined software experience. Its availability with 3GB or 4GB of RAM at a slightly lower price point makes it suitable for users with extremely limited budgets. Buy the Nokia 3.4 if you value a more efficient processor, a cleaner Android experience (thanks to Nokia’s commitment to Android One), and a chipset that’s likely to receive longer software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia 3.4 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 460 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at lower settings. Expect frame rate dips during intense action, but the A73 cores provide a more stable experience than the Helio P35 in the Oppo A12. Optimizing graphics settings is crucial for a playable experience.
❓ How does Nokia’s Android One software impact the user experience on the 3.4?
Nokia’s commitment to Android One means the 3.4 receives guaranteed software updates and security patches directly from Google. This results in a cleaner, bloatware-free experience and faster updates compared to Oppo’s ColorOS, which often includes pre-installed apps and customizations.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Snapdragon 460’s Cortex-A73 cores provide a noticeable improvement in responsiveness for everyday tasks. App launches will be quicker, scrolling will be smoother, and multitasking will feel less sluggish compared to the Oppo A12’s Helio P35.
