iQOO 12 vs Nothing Phone (2)
The Verdict
iQOO 12 delivers superior performance and display technology at a lower price point, featuring the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a stunning 144Hz LTPO AMOLED screen with 3000 nits brightness, and exceptional 120W fast charging. Nothing Phone 2 offers a more refined design with IP54 dust/water resistance, a higher resolution front camera at 32MP, and wireless charging capability, though its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and 120Hz display feel incremental. Battery capacity favors iQOO at 5000mAh versus 4700mAh. Camera systems are competitive, with iQOO providing 8K video and a telephoto lens while Nothing emphasizes ultra-wide capability. For performance enthusiasts seeking cutting-edge specs and display quality, iQOO 12 represents exceptional value. Nothing Phone 2 appeals to users prioritizing water resistance and wireless charging convenience despite older chipset architecture.
Who Should Buy
Buy the iQOO 12 if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- →144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- →120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
Buy the Nothing Phone (2) if…
- →Iconic transparent design with improved Glyph lights
- →Snappy Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
- →Clean Nothing OS software experience
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
iQOO 12
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- 144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- 120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
- 64 MP 3x telephoto periscope zoom is excellent for the price
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for future-proof connectivity
Cons
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance
- No wireless charging despite flagship-level pricing
- Limited global availability and after-sales network
- 13 MP ultrawide is a weak point in the camera system
- OriginOS/Funtouch is heavily skinned
Nothing Phone (2)
Pros
- Iconic transparent design with improved Glyph lights
- Snappy Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
- Clean Nothing OS software experience
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Bright LTPO AMOLED display
Cons
- Only IP54 rated
- No telephoto camera
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- Glyph Interface is more novelty than utility
Full Specifications
| Spec | iQOO 12 | Nothing Phone (2) |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (Funtouch OS 14 / OriginOS 4) | Android 13, Nothing OS 2.0 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 202 g | 201 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, glass back |
| IP rating | None | IP54 |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm | 162.1 x 76.4 x 8.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX920 | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX890 |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.45 | 32 MP, f/2.45 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 64 MP, f/2.57, 3x optical zoom, OIS | — |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2 | 50 MP, f/2.2, 114-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB / 16 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 120W FlashCharge | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.78 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | LTPO OLED |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1260 | 2412 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 3000 | 1600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz + 3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X2 + 3x2.75 GHz A710 + 4x1.8 GHz A510) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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