Xiaomi 12SvsNothing Phone (2a) Plus

We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.

Xiaomi
Xiaomi 12S
12S
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1
RAM:8GB
Storage:128GB

Quick Stats

The Huawei Nova TRS boasts impressive battery life that lasts a day with heavy use easily.
Here's a revised response since there is no mention of "Xiaomi" in the original text: The Huawei Nova 12s boasts an impressive display with HDR10+ support and a 120Hz refresh rate.
The Nova 12s boasts an impressive camera setup with a 50-megapixel primary sensor and 60-megapixel front camera overall value proposition.
The Huawei Nova 12s delivers decent performance despite its outdated specifications and hefty price tag overall.
Nothing
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Phone (2a) Plus
Processor:MediaTek Dimensity 7350
RAM:12GB
Storage:256GB

Quick Stats

The Nothing Phone (2A) Plus's battery life is merely adequate, falling short of expectations.
The Nothing Phone (2A) Plus boasts an impressive display with high refresh rate and vibrant colors.
The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus delivers solid camera results, especially in good lighting conditions, despite some limitations.
The Nothing Phone (2A) Plus delivers smooth performance with demanding tasks, despite a mid-level chip.
Key Differences

Processor Speed

Winner
Xiaomi 12S
3.20 GHz
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
3 GHz

RAM

Winner
Xiaomi 12S
8GB
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
12GB

Storage

Winner
Xiaomi 12S
128GB
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
256GB

Weight

Winner
Xiaomi 12S
182g
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
190g
Specifications Comparison
Specification
Xiaomi Xiaomi 12S
Nothing Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Model
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen1
MediaTek Dimensity 7350
CPU
1x3.2 GHz Cortex, X2 +3x2.8 GHz Cortex, A710 + 4x2.0 GHz Cortex, A510
2x3 GHz ARM Cortex, A715 + 6x 2.0 GHz ARM Cortex, A510
Type
Octa-Core
Octa-Core
Nanometer
4
4
Frequency
3.20
3
64 Bits
Yes
Yes
GPU
Qualcomm Adreno 730 875 MHz
Arm Mali-G610 MC4
RAM
8
12
Type
RAM LPDDR5
LPDDR4X RAM
Capacity
128
256
Type
UFS Storage 3.1
UFS Storage 2.2
SD slot
No
No
Fingerprint security
Yes, in screen
Yes, in screen
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Proximity sensor
N/A
Yes
Light sensor
Yes
Yes
Accelerometer sensor
Yes
Yes
Compass sensor
Yes
Yes
Gyroscope sensor
Yes
Yes
Gravity sensor
N/A
Yes
RGB sensor
Yes
N/A
Ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor
Yes
N/A
Audio
Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones
Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones
Antutu Score
1306715
805721
Antutu Version
Antutu v10
Antutu v10
Antutu Standing
Overall performance better than 92% of devices
Overall performance better than 83% of devices
Cooling system
Yes
Yes
Gaming buttons
No
No
Extras
2600mm² VC vapor chamber
N/A

Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.

Pros and Cons

Xiaomi 12S

Strengths

The Huawei Nova 12s is a pretty fashionable device that I think some people will really like it has the same slim 6.88 mm body profile as the Nova 11 but with a new back design and it still has the same beautiful 6.7 in full HD Plus ol display that refreshes at 12 with super slim and symmetrical bases that shames even the Galaxy a55
The Huawei Nova 12s has dual stereo lot speakers that even some mid-range phones don't come with and it has a really nice unique camera array to anyone who doesn't care about specs and all this is a perfectly fine device that doesn't look dated at all even for modern mid-range phone design standards
The cameras although the main 50 megap camera lacks Optical image stabilization it is still able to offer very respectable image quality that some mid-range phones couldn't you also get an 8 megap outro camera that takes pretty acceptable shots but what's even more interesting is the front camera which takes up to 60 megapixel Steels
The Huawei Nova 12s has a really good battery life, lasting a single day of heavy use despite having a 4,600 mAh battery and it is pretty expected because it doesn't have support for 5G networks
The phone also has superch charging which can juice up the phone in no time if you forget to charge though it isn't the fastest charging wattage it is still pretty respectable and faster than many other mid-range phones
Even with a 3-year-old chipset, the Snapdragon 778 G 4G processor works well on the Huawei Nova 12s for most of the stuff we do on the phone
The micro G framework which I was surprised that it worked so well even on restoring my WhatsApp chat backup from Google Drive

Weaknesses

The Huawei Nova 12s is still really expensive compared to other phones with similar features and specs, despite its limitations such as lack of 5G support and official Google Mobile Services
The phone has a 3-year-old chipset, the Snapdragon 778 G 4G processor, which makes it truly lacking behind the competition in terms of performance and features
It's not possible to recommend spending R2,000 on this phone when there are better choices available, especially considering its outdated hardware
Lack of Google support and official Google Mobile Services can be very troublesome for users who depend entirely on Google services

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

Strengths

Unique design
Solid all-round performance
Camera is nice
Battery life is lovely
Software (Nothing OS) is one of my favorite UIs
120Hz refresh rate feels fast and responsive

Weaknesses

Only three years of software support, compared to Samsung's seven years
No wireless charging, which can be a pain point for some users
No eSIM support, which can be frustrating for frequent travelers
Not significantly different from the regular 2A model
Price is £50 more than the 2A at the same spec
Limited modes and options in camera settings
Read Full Reviews

Xiaomi 12S

The Huawei Nova 12s is a mid-range phone that packs some impressive features despite its outdated hardware. The device boasts a slim 6.88mm body profile and a stunning 6.7-inch Full HD+ display, which refreshes at 90Hz. It also comes with dual stereo speakers, making it a great choice for music lovers. However, the phone's true Achilles' heel lies in its specs. Powered by a 3-year-old Snapdragon 778G processor with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, the Nova 12s falls behind its contemporaries. Despite this, the device still manages to perform well in real-world usage, with apps launching quickly and games running smoothly. Another drawback is the phone's lack of official Google Mobile Services (GMS), which can be a significant issue for those who rely heavily on Google services. However, the micro-G framework helps mitigate this limitation by allowing users to access most essential Google apps. Camera performance is another highlight of the Nova 12s, with the main 50MP camera delivering respectable image quality and an impressive 60MP front camera taking superb selfie shots. The phone also boasts a 4,600mAh battery that easily lasts a day on heavy use. Ultimately, the Huawei Nova 12s is a solid mid-range phone that's let down by its outdated hardware and lack of GMS. While it's not worth the hefty retail price of RM2,000, it could be a viable option if priced lower, around RM1,000 or less.

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is an intriguing device that offers a unique blend of style and substance. Its distinctive design, solid all-round performance, and impressive camera capabilities make it an attractive option for those seeking a mid-range Android experience. Running on the Nothing OS 2.6 platform, this phone promises fast and responsive software interactions. But how does it stack up against its competitors? Does its sleek design justify the premium price tag?

Need help choosing?

Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.

Read Xiaomi 12S ReviewRead Nothing Phone (2a) Plus Review

Compare other phones

Explore comparisons between any other phones

Compare phones
VS

Choose two different items to see a detailed comparison of their specifications, performance, and features