Phone (3a) vs 12 Pro

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Nothing Phone (3a)

Lifespan decides this one: the Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 at $6.18 per month of safe use, while the 12 Pro runs out in Jan 2028 ($12.65/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Phone (3a) 75 · 12 Pro 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$6.18/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20292031

Realme 12 Pro $245

Buy with care$12.65/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Jan 20262028

Category by category

Display

Phone (3a) 8012 Pro 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 Pro 46

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

Camera

Phone (3a) 7912 Pro 79

Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.

Battery

Phone (3a) 8012 Pro 80

Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.

Software longevity

Phone (3a) 6712 Pro 23

The Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 — 37 months longer than the 12 Pro.

Value

Phone (3a) 7512 Pro 63

Overall value goes to the Phone (3a) at $6.18 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Phone (3a)	12 Pro
Price (street)	$349	$245
Display	6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak	6.7-inch AMOLED, FHD+, 120Hz, 950 nits peak
Chipset	Snapdragon 7s Gen 3	Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
RAM	8GB/12GB	8GB/12GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB/512GB
Battery	5,000 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	50W wired, no wireless	67W wired
Rear cameras	50MP main, 50MP telephoto 2x, 8MP ultra-wide	50MP main, 32MP telephoto 2x, 8MP ultra-wide
Dimensions	163.52 × 77.50 × 8.35 mm	161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm
Weight	201 g	190 g
Water resistance	IP64	IP65
Supported until	Mar 2031	Jan 2028

Phone (3a) full verdict →12 Pro 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.