Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Nothing Phone (2a)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Nothing Phone (2a) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-21 | 2024-03-12 | Nothing Phone (2a) is much newer, indicating more recent technology and longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm | Samsung Galaxy A12 is slightly taller and thicker, but not significantly different; Nothing is lighter and feels more comfortable for longer periods. |
| Weight | 205g | 190g | Nothing Phone (2a) is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Nothing Phone (2a) has a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2412 | Nothing Phone (2a) has significantly sharper visuals and text, better for reading and detail-oriented tasks. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 394 PPI | Nothing Phone (2a) provides much clearer, more detailed images on screen. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Nothing Phone (2a) offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, enhancing media viewing. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Nothing Phone (2a) provides much smoother scrolling and animations, leading to a more responsive feel. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | Nothing Phone (2a) is much more visible outdoors in bright sunlight due to its higher brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) | Dimensity 7200 Pro (4nm) | Nothing Phone (2a) is much faster and more power-efficient, enabling smoother performance for demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 688,952 | Nothing Phone (2a) is dramatically faster in all tasks, including gaming, multitasking, and app loading. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G610 MC4 | Nothing Phone (2a) has a significantly more powerful GPU, providing better graphics performance for gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery life, suitable for a full day of average use. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | Nothing Phone (2a) charges much faster, reducing downtime waiting for a full battery. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/2.0 (1/2") | 50MP f/1.88 (1/1.56") | Nothing Phone (2a) has a slightly higher resolution, wider aperture, and larger sensor, meaning it captures better photos and videos, especially in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.2 | 32MP f/2.2 (1/2.74") | Nothing Phone (2a) has a much higher resolution, taking far more detailed selfies and video calls. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung has a dedicated telephoto lens while Nothing does not, it allows for an optical zoom feature. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | None | Samsung has a dedicated wide angle lens, allowing for a wider field of view. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung has a dedicated depth sensor, allowing for enhanced portrait photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 50MP f/2.2 (1/2.76") | Nothing Phone (2a) has a wide angle + macro lens, improving versatility. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps | Nothing Phone (2a) shoots at a much higher quality and frame rates, with EIS, it also has better Slow-motion support. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 90 | Not tested | Samsung scores low in DxOMark, so we can assume its image quality is lower. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (up to 12) | Android 14 (up to 17) | Nothing Phone (2a) has a more recent Android version with more features and likely longer support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Nothing Phone (2a) has a more modern Wi-Fi standard, resulting in faster, more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Nothing Phone (2a) has a newer version, more efficient and feature-rich. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), NavIC | Nothing Phone (2a) has better GPS accuracy thanks to the multiple satellite systems supported. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Nothing Phone (2a) offers more base storage, providing more space for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | Nothing Phone (2a) provides smoother multitasking and better performance with more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Nothing Phone (2a) provides a better audio experience with its high-quality audio output, stereo speakers and mic array. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | Both use fingerprint readers. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nothing Phone (2a) has better screen protection, making it more durable. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Nothing Phone (2a) has a larger sensor suite, enhancing navigation and gaming experiences. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Allows for optical zoom, this means lossless zoom.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: Allows for capturing larger images.
- Dedicated Portrait Lens: Allows for more depth in photos.
Nothing Phone (2a) Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Display: AMOLED with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness, offering much better visuals.
- Massively Superior Performance: A much more powerful chipset and more RAM for smoother and faster operation.
- Significantly Improved Camera: Better image quality with a larger sensor, higher video quality, and additional features like OIS and night mode.
- Faster Charging: 45W charging vs 15W for much shorter charging times.
- More Modern Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for better connectivity.
- Larger Storage Options: Base 128GB storage compared to 32GB base on the Samsung, better base for more media.
- More advanced audio features: Higher quality audio capture and sound production.
- More advanced sensor suite: Allows for more features.
Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
Trade-offs:
Samsung Galaxy A12: Offers more camera lenses, but its image quality is inferior.
- Nothing Phone (2a): Lacks a telephoto, wide angle and portrait lens, but the main lens is much better.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals who prioritize affordability over top-tier performance and features.
- Basic Smartphone Needs: Users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and light web browsing.
- Users comfortable with Android 12: Users okay with an older version of Android.
Specific Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing and chatting.
- Making calls and sending text messages.
- Light media consumption such as YouTube.
Nothing Phone (2a) Ideal User:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Gamers, photographers, and power users who need a smooth experience.
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality display, and audio for streaming content.
- Users who want to take great photos: The camera is much better than the Samsung.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming with higher frame rates and better graphics.
- High quality content creation, due to the high resolution cameras and higher quality video.
- Heavy multitasking and running multiple applications simultaneously.
- Viewing high-resolution media content with rich colors and deep blacks.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 is a budget-friendly device, but it is outclassed in most areas by the Nothing Phone (2a).
- The Nothing Phone (2a) offers much better performance, display, and camera quality. If your budget can stretch, the extra cost is worth it for the vastly improved experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is extremely limited, the Samsung might be a short-term option. However, the Nothing Phone (2a) is much more capable.
- How important is performance? If smooth multitasking and gaming are critical, the Nothing Phone (2a) is the clear winner.
- What is your priority when taking photos? The Samsung has more lenses, but the Nothing Phone (2a) has better image quality.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Use & Budget Constraint: If you only need a basic smartphone and have a very tight budget, and are okay with older technology, then the Samsung Galaxy A12 can fulfill basic needs.
- Scenario 2: Performance & Media Focus: If you want a fast and feature-rich smartphone for gaming, media, and photography, the Nothing Phone (2a) is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Camera Versatility: If you value having multiple camera lenses and a budget camera phone, the Samsung A12 is a short-term option. If you prefer a better image quality and are okay with only 2 lenses, the Nothing Phone (2a) is a better option.
My Choice:
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would unequivocally choose the Nothing Phone (2a). The vast improvements in display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and charging speed make it a significantly better device. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 offers multiple lenses, the actual image quality suffers, while the Nothing Phone (2a) offers better image quality overall. The difference in overall user experience between the two is dramatic, and I believe the Nothing Phone (2a) provides a much better value for the money, offering a smoother experience. Although its more expensive, it is a much better choice due to its performance, display and features.
