The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 and the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Redmi Note 12 focuses on delivering solid all-around performance at an aggressive price point, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus aims to stand out with a unique design and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and value, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus emerges as the stronger contender. Its significantly longer 16:34 active use score and faster 50W charging outweigh the Redmi Note 12’s lower price, offering a more refined and enduring user experience.
| 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, 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, 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 | 2022, October 27 | 2024, July 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, January 11 | Available. Released 2024, August 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | IP53, dust and splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | 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 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G610 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| 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 | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" | 50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min | 50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue | Black, Grey |
| Models | 22111317I, 22111317G | A142P |
| Price | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 | € 269.90 / ₹ 22,599 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 101h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Significantly lower price point
- Decent battery life for basic usage
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Dimmer display, poor outdoor visibility
- Less powerful chipset, struggles with demanding apps
- Slower charging speed
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
- Exceptional battery life and endurance
- Brighter, more vibrant display
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Higher price tag
- May be overkill for basic smartphone users
- No detailed camera specs available
Display Comparison
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a considerably brighter display, reaching a measured 1097 nits compared to the Redmi Note 12’s 706 nits. This translates to significantly better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays have an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the higher peak brightness of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides a more dynamic and immersive viewing experience. The Redmi Note 12’s display, while adequate, will appear washed out in comparison. We lack PWM frequency data, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s higher brightness may be preferable for users sensitive to flicker.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific sensor details. Given the market positioning, it’s likely the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features a more sophisticated camera system. The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more capable than the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1’s, resulting in better image processing, especially in low-light conditions. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus likely offers superior image quality and video recording capabilities.
Performance
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is equipped with the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm), a more modern and efficient chipset than the Redmi Note 12’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6nm). The Dimensity 7350 Pro’s octa-core CPU, featuring 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores, offers a substantial performance uplift over the Redmi Note 12’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. This difference is particularly noticeable in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 7350 Pro also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus dominates in battery performance, achieving an impressive 16:34 hours in active use, compared to the Redmi Note 12’s 10:58 hours. While the Redmi Note 12 boasts a respectable 101-hour endurance rating, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s superior chipset efficiency and larger battery capacity (implied by the active use score) provide significantly longer real-world usage. Charging speeds are also in favor of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, reaching 50% in 21 minutes and 100% in 56 minutes, versus the Redmi Note 12’s 33W charging which takes 22 minutes for 50%.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 if you need a highly affordable smartphone for basic tasks and moderate usage, and are willing to compromise on display brightness and processing power. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize long-lasting battery life, a brighter and more vibrant display, and a smoother overall experience, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 7350 Pro is more efficient than the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1, sustained gaming will inevitably generate heat. However, the 4nm process node and likely improved thermal management in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus should result in less throttling and more consistent performance compared to the Redmi Note 12, which uses a 6nm process.
❓ How much of a difference will the faster charging speed of the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus make in daily use?
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus’s 50W charging is a significant advantage. Reaching 50% charge in 21 minutes versus 22 minutes for the Redmi Note 12 means less downtime when you need a quick top-up. The ability to fully charge in 56 minutes versus an unknown time for the Redmi Note 12 is also a substantial convenience.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12 a good option for users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and social media?
Yes, the Redmi Note 12 is perfectly adequate for basic tasks like calls, texts, and social media. Its Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chipset is sufficient for these activities, and its battery life, while not exceptional, will likely last a full day with moderate usage. However, users who anticipate heavier use should consider the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus for its superior performance and battery endurance.
