The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme 12+ and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options. The Realme 12+ focuses on delivering a strong all-around experience, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus aims to stand out with its unique design and a more powerful chipset. This comparison will dissect their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and a consistently smooth experience, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the winner. Its more efficient Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and significantly longer active use battery score of 16:34h outweigh the Realme 12+'s faster charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, February 29 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, March 02 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, silicone polymer back (eco leather), plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163 x 75.5 x 7.9 mm (6.42 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 600 nits (typ), 2000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/3.0" | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, 50% in 19 min | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pioneer Green, Navigator Beige | Black, Grey |
| Models | RMX3867 | A142P |
| Price | € 192.98 / $ 200.22 / £ 203.26 / ₹ 18,999 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
Realme 12+
- Faster 67W wired charging
- Slightly brighter display (1148 nits)
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Less efficient Dimensity 7050 chipset
- Shorter battery life (13:03h)
- Older CPU architecture
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Longer battery life (16:34h)
- More efficient Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset (4nm)
- Modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A715)
- Potentially better image processing
- Slower 50W wired charging
- Slightly lower peak display brightness
- Potentially higher price point
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays capable of exceeding 1000 nits of brightness, with the Realme 12+ reaching a measured 1148 nits and the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus hitting 1097 nits. While the Realme 12+ has a slight edge in peak brightness, the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in most real-world scenarios. Neither specification details refresh rate or panel type, but given the price point, both likely utilize AMOLED panels. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests a less dynamic refresh rate, potentially impacting battery life during static content viewing.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset difference suggests the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus benefits from a more powerful image signal processor (ISP), potentially leading to better image processing and low-light performance. The Realme 12+’s camera performance will likely be good, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus has the potential to deliver more refined and detailed images. The absence of information regarding sensor size and OIS makes a definitive judgment impossible, but the chipset advantage leans towards the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus.
Performance
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm), a clear upgrade over the Realme 12+'s Dimensity 7050 (6nm). The 4nm process node inherently offers better power efficiency and thermal performance, meaning the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is likely to sustain peak performance for longer periods. The CPU architecture also favors the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, with its Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 3.0 GHz compared to the Realme 12+'s Cortex-A78 cores at 2.6 GHz. This translates to faster application loading and smoother multitasking. While both phones feature octa-core CPUs, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s chipset provides a more substantial performance advantage.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus significantly outperforms the Realme 12+ in battery life, achieving an active use score of 16:34h versus the Realme 12+'s 13:03h. This difference is likely attributable to the more efficient Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset. While the Realme 12+ offers faster 67W wired charging (50% in 19 minutes), the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging (50% in 21 minutes, 100% in 56 minutes) is still respectable. The longer battery life of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus reduces the need for frequent charging, making the slightly slower charging speed less of a concern.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 12+ if you prioritize rapid charging – reaching 50% in just 19 minutes is a significant convenience. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones throughout the day and need a quick power boost. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you value extended battery life and a more modern chipset architecture. This phone is best suited for users who want a phone that can comfortably last a full day, even with heavy usage, and appreciate the benefits of a 4nm process for thermal efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Dimensity 7050 in the Realme 12+?
The Dimensity 7350 Pro's 4nm process is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While both phones will experience some heat during prolonged gaming, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is likely to maintain higher sustained performance with less throttling due to its more efficient chipset.
❓ How much of a real-world difference will the battery life gap (16:34h vs 13:03h) translate to for a typical user?
For a typical user, the 3+ hour difference in active use battery life is substantial. It means the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is more likely to comfortably last a full day without needing a recharge, even with moderate to heavy usage, while the Realme 12+ might require a top-up in the evening.
❓ Is the 56-minute 0-100% charge time of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus a significant drawback compared to the Realme 12+'s faster charging?
While the Realme 12+ charges faster initially, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s longer battery life reduces the frequency of needing a full charge. The 56-minute 0-100% time is still reasonable and can be done overnight, mitigating the slower charging speed.
