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InnoReviews

Nothing Phone (3a) vs Xiaomi 12

WINNER
Nothing Phone (3a)
52.4Inno Score
VS
Xiaomi 12

Xiaomi

Xiaomi 12

$749

50.9Inno Score
35.1Performance43.2
58.8Display47.7
54.7Camera47
59.2Battery62.5
73.3Features65.3
5 spec wins — Nothing Phone (3a)9 spec wins — Xiaomi 12

InnoReviews verdict

Nothing Phone (3a) wins this phone face-off, 52.4 to 50.9, pulling ahead mainly in display (+11) and features (+8). Xiaomi 12 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Nothing Phone (3a)

  • Stronger display score: 59 vs 48
  • Stronger camera score: 55 vs 47
  • Stronger features score: 73 vs 65
  • 173% higher Peak brightness: 3,000 nits vs 1,100 nits
  • 50% higher RAM (max): 12 GB vs 8 GB
  • Lower launch price: $379 vs $749

Reasons to pick the Xiaomi 12

  • Stronger performance score: 43 vs 35
  • Stronger battery score: 63 vs 59
  • 63% higher Ultra-wide: 13 MP vs 8 MP
  • 50% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 1,720 vs 1,150
  • 44% higher AnTuTu 10: 1,150,000 vs 800,000

Display

Display comparison: Nothing Phone (3a) versus Xiaomi 12
SpecNothing Phone (3a)Xiaomi 12
Screen size6.77 ″+8%6.28 ″
Panel typeAMOLEDAMOLED
Resolution1080x23922400x1080
Pixel density387 ppi419 ppi+8%
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz
Peak brightness3,000 nits+173%1,100 nits
Screen-to-body87.4 %—

Performance

Performance comparison: Nothing Phone (3a) versus Xiaomi 12
SpecNothing Phone (3a)Xiaomi 12
ChipsetSnapdragon 7s Gen 3Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
AnTuTu 10800,000Top 61%1,150,000+44%Top 37%
Geekbench 6 (single)1,150Top 61%1,720+50%Top 43%
Geekbench 6 (multi)3,250Top 61%4,300+32%Top 45%
RAM (max)12 GB+50%8 GB
Storage options128/256GB128GB / 256GB
Storage typeUFS 2.2UFS 3.1

Camera

Camera comparison: Nothing Phone (3a) versus Xiaomi 12
SpecNothing Phone (3a)Xiaomi 12
Main camera50 MP50 MP
Main aperturef/1.88f/1.9
Ultra-wide8 MP13 MP+63%
Telephoto50 MP—
Optical zoom2 x—
Max video4K@30fps8K@24fps
Front camera32 MP32 MP
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: Nothing Phone (3a) versus Xiaomi 12
SpecNothing Phone (3a)Xiaomi 12
Capacity5,000 mAh+11%4,500 mAh
Wired charging50 W67 W+34%
Wireless charging0 W50 W
Active use endurance11 h—

Design

Design comparison: Nothing Phone (3a) versus Xiaomi 12
SpecNothing Phone (3a)Xiaomi 12
Weight201 g180 g+10%
Thickness8.4 mm8.2 mm+2%
IP ratingIP64—
Frame materialAluminumAluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: Nothing Phone (3a) versus Xiaomi 12
SpecNothing Phone (3a)Xiaomi 12
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.45.2
NFCYesYes
USBUSB-C 2.0USB-C 2.0
eSIMYesNo

Software

Software comparison: Nothing Phone (3a) versus Xiaomi 12
SpecNothing Phone (3a)Xiaomi 12
OS at launchAndroid 15 (Nothing OS 3.1)Android 12 (MIUI 13)
OS update pledge3 years3 years

Audio

Audio comparison: Nothing Phone (3a) versus Xiaomi 12
SpecNothing Phone (3a)Xiaomi 12
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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