Phone (3a) vs 12+ 5G

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+ 5G runs out in Mar 2028 ($10.50/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Phone (3a) 75 · 12+ 5G 68 — 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+ 5G $215

Buy with care$10.50/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Mar 20262028

Category by category

Display

Phone (3a) 8012+ 5G 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+ 5G 52

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

Camera

Phone (3a) 7912+ 5G 67

The Phone (3a) has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery

Phone (3a) 8012+ 5G 80

Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.

Software longevity

Phone (3a) 6712+ 5G 24

The Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 — 36 months longer than the 12+ 5G.

Value

Phone (3a) 7512+ 5G 68

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

Full spec table

Spec	Phone (3a)	12+ 5G
Price (street)	$349	$215
Display	6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak	6.67-inch curved AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak
Chipset	Snapdragon 7s Gen 3	MediaTek Dimensity 7050 (6nm)
RAM	8GB/12GB	8GB/12GB
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, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro
Dimensions	163.52 × 77.50 × 8.35 mm	162.3 × 75.1 × 7.9 mm
Weight	201 g	190 g
Water resistance	IP64	IP54
Supported until	Mar 2031	Mar 2028

Phone (3a) full verdict →12+ 5G 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.