Phone (3a) vs 12 4G

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Nothing Phone (3a)

Lifespan decides this one: the Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 at $6.17 per month of safe use, while the 12 4G runs out in Jul 2028 ($7.16/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Phone (3a) 75 · 12 4G 63 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Nothing Phone (3a) $349

Safe to buy$6.17/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20292031

Realme 12 4G $175

Buy with care$7.16/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Jul 20262028

Category by category

Display

Phone (3a) 8012 4G 70

The Phone (3a)'s screen is the better one — 6.77-inch amoled, 1080×2392 (fhd+), up to 120hz, 3000 nits peak.

Performance

Phone (3a) 6412 4G 36

The Phone (3a)'s Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is simply the faster chip.

Camera

Phone (3a) 7912 4G 55

The Phone (3a) has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

Phone (3a) 8012 4G 80

Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.

Software longevity

Phone (3a) 6712 4G 29

The Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 — 32 months longer than the 12 4G.

Value

Phone (3a) 7512 4G 63

Overall value goes to the Phone (3a) at $6.17 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Phone (3a)	12 4G
Price (street)	$349	$175
Display	6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak	6.67-inch AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak
Chipset	Snapdragon 7s Gen 3	Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 (6nm)
RAM	8GB/12GB	8GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB
Battery	5,000 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	50W wired, no wireless	67W wired SUPERVOOC
Rear cameras	50MP main, 50MP telephoto 2x, 8MP ultra-wide	50MP main, 2MP depth
Dimensions	163.52 × 77.50 × 8.35 mm	163 × 75.5 × 7.9 mm
Weight	201 g	187 g
Water resistance	IP64	IP54
Supported until	Mar 2031	Jul 2028

Phone (3a) full verdict →12 4G full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.