Nothing Phone (2a) vs Redmi Note 12 Pro+
The Verdict
Both phones target budget-conscious buyers with nearly identical pricing and core specs, but they excel in different areas. Nothing Phone (2a) features a superior display with 1300 nits peak brightness versus Redmi Note 12 Pro+'s 900 nits, making outdoor visibility noticeably better. The MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro also provides smoother everyday performance than the Dimensity 1080. Nothing's Android 14 with Nothing OS 2.5 is fresher than MIUI 13 on Android 12, and the 32MP front camera beats the 16MP alternative by a considerable margin. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ counters with a massive 200MP main camera that captures impressive detail in static shots, plus blazing 120W charging that fully powers the 5000mAh battery in roughly 15 minutes compared to Nothing's 45W solution requiring 45+ minutes. The Redmi is also 20 grams lighter at 210g. For daily drivers prioritizing display quality, software freshness, and front-facing camera performance, the Nothing Phone (2a) is the stronger choice. If fastest charging and raw megapixel count matter more, Redmi edges ahead despite its older software and dimmer screen.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) if…
- →Distinctive transparent design with Glyph Interface
- →Clean Nothing OS with minimal bloat
- →Solid 50 MP dual camera setup
Buy the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ if…
- →200 MP main sensor is a headline spec at this price
- →120W charging is exceptionally fast for the segment
- →OIS on the main camera aids low-light stability
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Nothing Phone (2a)
Pros
- Distinctive transparent design with Glyph Interface
- Clean Nothing OS with minimal bloat
- Solid 50 MP dual camera setup
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Plastic build at this price
- No wireless charging
- Only IP54 splash resistance
- Mid-tier Dimensity chipset rather than Snapdragon
Redmi Note 12 Pro+
Pros
- 200 MP main sensor is a headline spec at this price
- 120W charging is exceptionally fast for the segment
- OIS on the main camera aids low-light stability
- 120Hz AMOLED display
- NFC included
Cons
- Dimensity 1080 is a mid-range chip, not flagship
- Heavy at 210 g
- No wireless charging
- 8 MP ultrawide is mediocre
- MIUI ads in some regions
Full Specifications
| Spec | Nothing Phone (2a) | Redmi Note 12 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14, Nothing OS 2.5 | Android 12 (MIUI 13) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 190 g | 210 g |
| Material | Plastic frame, plastic back | Plastic back, aluminum frame |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP53 |
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm | 162.9 x 76.0 x 8.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Samsung GN9 | 200 MP, f/1.65, OIS |
| Front camera | 32 MP, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP, f/2.2, 114-degree | 8 MP, f/2.2, 120-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB / 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 120W HyperCharge wired |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.67 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2412 x 1084 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1300 | 900 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 + 6x2.0 GHz A510) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Mali-G610 MC4 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro | MediaTek Dimensity 1080 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
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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.
Explore more in phones, see all Nothing products or all Xiaomi products. View full details for the Nothing Phone (2a) or the Redmi Note 12 Pro+.