Nothing Phone 2a: March 12, 2024
Realme 12 Pro: January 29, 2024
SPECS TABLE
| Nothing Phone 2a | Realme 12 Pro Plus | |
| Price | $402 | $490 |
| Display | 6.7-inch AMOLED screen | 6.7-inch AMOLED screen |
| Refresh rate | 1 – 120Hz adaptive | 1 – 120Hz adaptive |
| Rear cameras | 50MP wide (f/1.9), 50MP ultrawide (f/2.2). | 50MP wide (f/1.8), 64MP periscope telephoto (f/2.8), 8MP ultrawide (f/2.2). |
| Front camera | 32MP (f/2.2) | 32MP (f/2.4) |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 |
| RAM | 8GB, 12GB | 8GB, 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256B | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 67W wired |
| Water/dust resistance | IP54 | IP65 |
| Size | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 190g (6.70 ounces) | 196g (6.91 ounces) |
| Colours | Black, White, Milk | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red |
Just like our previous comparison article where we put the Realme 12 Pro against the Nothing Phone 2a, we’re back with another comparison. This time around, we’re putting the Nothing Phone 2a up against the Realme 12 Pro Plus. Will this more powerful device from Realme outshine the competition from Nothing?
Is the Realme Pro Plus any better than its little sibling when going up against the Nothing Phone 2a? Will this other device from the Realme 12 series be a better purchase for you? Let’s find out more about this device as we place it side-by-side with the Nothing Phone 2a.
Nothing Phone 2a vs Realme 12 Pro Plus: Price
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Nothing Phone 2a vs Realme 12 Pro Plus : Design and colours
Nothing Phone 2a:
Ever since the brand’s inception, Nothing has taken a different turn with the designs of their smartphone. This device, the Nothing Phone 2a, follows this design path featuring the Glyph interface, a glass see-through design revealing some screws and patterns in the device. On its rear sits a horizontal rear camera setup with a flash that suits towards the top right-hand side of this cutout. The volume rocker keys on this device sit on the left-hand side, while the power button sits on the right-hand side of the device. At the base of the device sits the USB-C port, microphone, speaker, and the SIM tray.
Realme 12 Pro Plus:
Featuring three impressive colours, this device is a real head turner, what’s even more interesting is the series collaboration with Rolex. The curved screen of this device also improved its looks as they stands out from the flat screen on the Nothing Phone 2a. There are three camera lenses on the rear circular cutout of this device, and a gold stripe runs through the middle of the device circling the camera cutout. The power button and volume rocker keys sit on the right-hand side, as for the charging port, speakers, SIM tray, and microphone, they sit under the Realme 12 Pro. Available colour options are Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red.
Major differences:
- Classic finish on the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
- Curved screen on the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
- Glyph interface lighting on the Nothing Phone 2a.
Nothing Phone 2a vs Realme 12 Pro Plus: Display
Nothing Phone 2a:
This device uses a 6.7-inch AMOLED panel that supports 120Hz refresh rate to ensure snappy response. This display supports HDR10+ technology, helping it attain a peak brightness of 1300 nits peak brightness. All round this display are sleek bezels, making this device give off a flagship feel. For protection, this display comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 technology.
Realme 12 Pro Plus:
Measuring 6.7-inch, the curved AMOLED panel on this device supports 120Hz refresh rate. Well, this isn’t the brightest screen display that is available on the market, as it boasts a 950 nits peak brightness. However, it makes up for this with sleek bezels and an impressive screen to body ratio, which is better than that on the Nothing Phone 2a. For stylishness, this device gives most of its users exactly what they need thanks to its curved screen.
Major differences:
- Brighter display on the Nothing Phone 2a.
- Slimmer bezels on the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
Nothing Phone 2a vs Realme 12 Pro Plus: Cameras
Nothing Phone 2a:
For midrange devices, photography isn’t a strong point, but that’s not the case with the Nothing Phone 2a. This device comes with a dual rear camera setup housing two 50MP sensors. Up front sits a 32MP selfie camera which is up to the task of taking crisp clear photos in different lighting conditions.
Realme 12 Pro Plus:
In comparison with the Nothing Phone 2a, the Realme 12 Pro Plus comes on top with its triple rear camera setup. This setup houses a 50MP main camera lens, a 64MP periscope telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultrawide sensor. Up front sits a 32MP selfie camera like we see on the Nothing Phone 2a.
Major differences:
- Dual 50MP cameras on the Nothing Phone 2a.
- 64MP periscope telephoto lens on the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
- Ton of professional photography features on the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
Nothing Phone 2a vs Realme 12 Pro Plus: Performance
Nothing Phone 2a:
Nothing powers this device with the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro processor. Joining this is up to 12GB RAM and 256GB worth of storage capacity. This makes this device an impressive mid-range Android device that retails at an affordable price tag.
Realme 12 Pro Plus:
Powering this device is the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor with up to 12GB worth of RAM capacity. When it comes to storage the Realme 12 Pro offers users up to 512GB worth of storage. Realme also equips this device with Dynamic RAM capabilities that can get users up to 16GB worth of RAM via virtual expansion.
Major upgrades & differences:
- Expandable 12GB RAM on the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
Nothing Phone 2a vs Realme 12 Pro Plus: Software
Nothing Phone 2a:
This device runs on Android 14 and Nothing OS 2.5.4 out of the box. Users are getting 3 years of Android OS upgrades.
Realme 12 Pro Plus:
Launching out of the box with Android 14 and Realme UI 5.0 software which brings a ton of customizations. Users will also get up to 2 years of OS upgrade on this device as standard.
Major differences:
- Nothing OS on the Nothing Phone 2a.
- Realme UI 5.0 on the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
Nothing Phone 2a vs Realme 12 Pro Plus: Battery life and charging
Nothing Phone 2a:
For its battery capacity this device comes with 5000mAh which is more than enough for a day usage. Charging speed on this device is 45W as standard.
Realme 12 Pro Plus:
The battery capacity on this device matches that on the Nothing Phone 2a at 5000mAh. However, the Realme 10 Pro outshines the competition in this article by featuring 67W fast charging.
Major differences:
- Faster charging on the Realme 12 Pro Plus.
Nothing Phone 2a vs Realme 12 Pro Plus: Final Verdict
This time around Nothing Phone 2a takes a blow from the Realme 12 Pro Plus. This device brings a better camera setup, more RAM via virtual expansion, and a much more refined design. Despite packing processors that offer similar performance outputs the Realme 12 Pro Plus is still the better pick for most buyers out there for a new device. With a sub-$400 price tag the Realme 12 Pro Plus is obviously the device for you as you embark on your shopping adventure.
