Nothing Phone (2a) vs Huawei nova 12i - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date March 12, 2024 April 16, 2024
Release Year 2024 2024

Physical

Volume 106.1 cm³ 102.47 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.53 "/g 3.37 "/g
Weight 190 g 199 g
Height 161.7 mm 163.3 mm
Width 76.3 mm 74.7 mm
Thickness 8.6 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Blue
  • White
  • Milk
  • Black
  • White
  • Green

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2412 1080 x 2388
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.6 % 89.1 %
Pixel Density 394 PPI 391 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness 700 nits N/A
HBM Brightness 1100 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1300 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 111.38 mAh/in² 111.38 mAh/in²
Battery Density 47.12 mAh/cm³ 48.8 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm) Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 Cortex-A510) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Mali-G610 MC4 Adreno 610

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android N/A
Initial OS Version 14 N/A
Maximum OS Version 17

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureNothing Phone (2a)Huawei nova 12iPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mmVirtually identical in size; negligible real-world difference.
Weight190g199gThe Nova 12i is slightly heavier, but the difference is unlikely to be noticeable in daily use.
Display
Display TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+IPS LCD, 90HzThe Nothing Phone (2a) offers significantly better contrast, color accuracy, and smoother scrolling thanks to AMOLED and 120Hz. HDR10+ also provides a wider dynamic range for compatible content.
Peak Brightness1300 nitsNot specifiedThe Nothing Phone (2a) should offer superior visibility in bright sunlight. The lack of peak brightness specification for the Nova 12i makes a direct comparison impossible.
Resolution1080 x 24121080 x 2388Negligible difference in sharpness due to similar pixel density.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7200 Pro (4 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm)The Dimensity 7200 Pro is a significantly more powerful chipset, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
CPUOcta-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 Cortex-A510)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)The Nothing Phone's CPU architecture and higher clock speeds will provide a noticeable performance advantage in demanding tasks.
GPUMali-G610 MC4Adreno 610The Mali-G610 MC4 offers significantly better graphics performance for gaming and other visually intensive applications.
RAM12GB8GBMore RAM in the Nothing Phone (2a) allows for more apps to run in the background without impacting performance.
Camera
Video Capabilities4K@30fps (EIS), 1080p@60/120fps (EIS)1080p@30fpsThe Nothing Phone (2a) offers superior video recording capabilities with 4K resolution and higher frame rates, along with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for smoother footage. Detailed camera specifications are missing for both phones, making a complete comparison impossible.
Battery
Capacity5000 mAh5000 mAhSimilar battery capacities suggest comparable battery life, though real-world usage will vary depending on other factors like display and chipset efficiency.
Software
OSAndroid 14UnspecifiedThe Nothing Phone (2a) ships with the latest Android version, offering potential advantages in features, security, and performance optimizations. The lack of OS information for the Nova 12i makes comparison impossible.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Nothing Phone (2a) Advantages:

  • Significantly superior performance: The Dimensity 7200 Pro chipset and 12GB RAM provide a much smoother and faster user experience.
  • Better display: AMOLED technology with 120Hz refresh rate offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and smoother scrolling compared to the Nova 12i's IPS LCD with 90Hz. Higher peak brightness ensures better visibility outdoors.
  • More advanced video recording: 4K resolution and higher frame rates provide more detailed and smoother video footage.

Huawei nova 12i Potential Advantages:

  • Potentially lower price: While both are in the mid-range, the Nova 12i might be priced lower given its less powerful specifications. This is speculative due to lack of pricing information.

Trade-offs:

  • Performance vs. Price: The Nothing Phone (2a)'s superior performance comes at the potential cost of a higher price.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Nothing Phone (2a): Ideal for users who prioritize performance, a high-quality display, and smooth multitasking. Suitable for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy app usage.

Huawei nova 12i: Potentially suitable for users on a tighter budget who prioritize basic smartphone functionality and don't require top-tier performance or display quality. More information is needed to make a solid recommendation.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The Nothing Phone (2a) is likely to be more expensive.
  2. How important is performance and display quality? The Nothing Phone (2a) significantly outperforms the Nova 12i in these areas.
  3. What is your primary use case? For demanding tasks, the Nothing Phone (2a) is a better choice. For basic communication and web browsing, the Nova 12i might suffice, pending further information on its OS, performance, and price.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Gamer: Nothing Phone (2a) for its superior GPU and higher refresh rate display.
  • Casual User: Insufficient information to recommend the Nova 12i confidently. More details on its OS and overall user experience are required.
  • Power User: Nothing Phone (2a) for its powerful chipset, ample RAM, and high-quality display.
Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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