Smartphone innovation isn’t what it used to be—most new releases feel like minor upgrades rather than game-changers. But here we are with two phones that actually bring something fresh to the table. The OnePlus 12 aims to dominate with sheer power and premium features, while the Nothing Phone 2 challenges the status quo with its transparent design and clean software approach.
Choosing between them isn’t just about specs; it’s about what kind of experience you want from your phone. Do you go for the high-performance flagship that does everything or the unique, minimalist phone that stands out in the crowd? Let’s break it down so you can make the right choice.
Table of Contents
OnePlus 12 vs Nothing Phone 2: The Verdict
Best for Performance: OnePlus 12
This thing is an absolute beast with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, whereas the Nothing Phone 2 plays in the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 league. If you want raw power, OnePlus 12 wins.
Best for Aesthetic & Unique Design: Nothing Phone 2
If you like a phone that actually looks different from the rest, Nothing’s got you covered. Transparent back, Glyph LEDs, and an overall futuristic design make it the ultimate conversation starter.
Best for Camera: OnePlus 12
OnePlus brought in Hasselblad again, and the results are actually solid. Better low-light performance and an ultra-wide that isn’t just there for show. Nothing Phone 2’s cameras are good but not flagship level.
Best for Software Experience: Nothing Phone 2
If you love clean Android, Nothing OS 2.0 is a minimalist’s dream. No bloatware, no weird UI decisions—just smooth, clean Android with a unique twist. OnePlus 12 has improved OxygenOS, but it still has its quirks.
Best Battery Life & Charging: OnePlus 12
A 5,400mAh battery and 100W charging? That’s ridiculous in the best way. Nothing Phone 2’s 4,700mAh with 45W charging is solid, but OnePlus is playing a different game here.
OnePlus 12 vs Nothing Phone 2: Detailed Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 12 | Nothing Phone 2 |
| Overall Design | Traditional high-end smartphone design. Sleek and professional. | Bold and futuristic. |
| Materials | Glass and aluminum build. | Transparent back revealing underlying components (aesthetically). |
| Display | Curved display that blends into the edges. | Standard flat display. |
| Aesthetics | Premium feel. Glossy finish (attracts fingerprints). | Unique Glyph Interface (LED lights for notifications, ringtones, charging indicators). |
| Standout Feature | Sleek, professional look expected of a 2024 flagship. | Transparent design and Glyph Interface make it stand out. |
| Winner | N/A | Nothing Phone 2 (for unique design) |
Design & Build
OnePlus 12: This is your traditional high-end smartphone done right. It has a glass and aluminum build, a curved display that blends into the edges, and an overall premium feel. It’s sleek, professional, and what you’d expect from a flagship in 2024. The glossy finish does attract fingerprints, though, so if you hate smudges, a case is a must.
Nothing Phone 2: Here’s where Nothing decided to take a completely different route. Instead of the usual slab design, this phone features a transparent back that reveals the underlying components (at least aesthetically). The Glyph Interface—a series of LED lights—adds both function and style, giving you the ability to assign different lighting patterns for notifications, ringtones, and even charging indicators. It’s a bold, futuristic move that immediately makes this phone stand out in a sea of generic devices.
Winner: Nothing Phone 2 (just for standing out and doing something unique)
Display
OnePlus 12: A massive 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1440p resolution. This display is a dream for anyone who loves vibrant colors, sharp details, and buttery smooth scrolling. It also gets crazy bright, making it perfect for outdoor use.
Nothing Phone 2: A slightly smaller 6.7-inch LTPO OLED panel, also 120Hz but with a lower 1080p resolution. The display is still solid—colors pop, and brightness is good—but when placed side by side with the OnePlus 12, it’s clear that OnePlus has the upper hand in sharpness and clarity.
Winner: OnePlus 12 (higher resolution, better brightness, overall superior panel)
Performance
OnePlus 12: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with up to 16GB RAM, this phone is an absolute beast. It runs through everything you throw at it—whether that’s high-end gaming, multitasking, or just flipping between a dozen apps. It also has better cooling, which helps keep performance consistent under heavy loads.
Nothing Phone 2: Uses the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, which is still fast but lags behind the latest Gen 3 processor. You get up to 12GB of RAM, which is decent, but if you’re a power user who pushes their phone to the limits, you might notice the difference in speed.
Winner: OnePlus 12 (newer chip, better performance, and improved cooling)
Cameras
OnePlus 12: 50MP main (Hasselblad-tuned), 64MP periscope telephoto, 48MP ultra-wide. The camera system is versatile, delivering excellent low-light performance, sharp details, and great dynamic range. The periscope telephoto lens also lets you zoom in without losing too much quality.
Nothing Phone 2: 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide. While the cameras do a good job in well-lit conditions, they lack the fine-tuning and additional features of OnePlus’ camera setup. There’s no telephoto zoom either, so you’re missing out on those crisp zoomed-in shots.
Winner: OnePlus 12 (more versatility and better low-light performance)
Battery & Charging
OnePlus 12: 5,400mAh battery with insane 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. This means you can charge your phone from 0 to 100% in under 30 minutes. Battery life is also fantastic, lasting well over a day on moderate use.
Nothing Phone 2: 4,700mAh battery with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging. It’s decent, but compared to OnePlus 12, it feels slower and less efficient.
Winner: OnePlus 12 (faster charging and bigger battery)
Software & Updates
OnePlus 12: OxygenOS 14 is fast and smooth, but OnePlus has started adding bloatware and unnecessary UI changes that not everyone loves. The software experience is still good, but it’s not as clean as it used to be.
Nothing Phone 2: Nothing OS 2.0 is one of the cleanest Android experiences out there. No bloat, no unnecessary gimmicks—just a minimalist, smooth UI. Plus, the Glyph Interface adds an extra layer of functionality without being intrusive.
Winner: Nothing Phone 2 (cleaner software experience and unique features)
Price
OnePlus 12: This phone is positioned as a flagship, which means it comes with a premium price tag. While it isn’t as expensive as some high-end Samsung or Apple devices, it’s still a considerable investment. However, you’re getting top-tier performance, a high-end camera system, and cutting-edge display technology, making the price feel justified if you want the best OnePlus has to offer.
Nothing Phone 2: A much more affordable option compared to the OnePlus 12, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on quality. It offers a stylish, unique design with its transparent back and LED glyph interface, along with solid performance and software. If you’re looking for a phone that stands out and delivers a great experience without burning a hole in your wallet, this is the smarter choice.
Winner: Nothing Phone 2 (if you’re budget-conscious)
Display
OnePlus 12: Boasting a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 1440p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, this is a true flagship screen. It’s incredibly sharp, with deep blacks, vibrant colors, and ultra-smooth scrolling thanks to the adaptive refresh rate. The high peak brightness also makes it easy to use in direct sunlight, making it one of the best displays you’ll find on any phone.
Nothing Phone 2: Features a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with a 1080p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. While the colors are rich and the refresh rate ensures smooth interactions, the lower resolution means it’s not as sharp as the OnePlus 12. For most people, the difference might not be a dealbreaker, but if you’re particular about display clarity and resolution, you’ll notice the gap.
Winner: OnePlus 12 (superior resolution, brightness, and clarity)
Performance
OnePlus 12: Powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and paired with up to 16GB of RAM, this phone is a beast when it comes to speed and multitasking. Whether you’re gaming, video editing, or running heavy applications, it handles everything effortlessly. It also boasts improved power efficiency, meaning you get all that power without excessive battery drain.
Nothing Phone 2: Runs on the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, which, while still powerful, is a generation behind. It comes with up to 12GB of RAM, which is enough for smooth performance in daily tasks and gaming, but it won’t be as future-proof as the OnePlus 12. If you want the absolute best processing power, the OnePlus 12 is the way to go.
Winner: OnePlus 12 (latest and most powerful chipset, better efficiency)
Cameras
OnePlus 12: Comes with a 50MP Hasselblad-tuned main camera, a 64MP periscope telephoto lens, and a 48MP ultra-wide sensor. This means you get excellent image quality, impressive zoom capabilities, and great low-light performance. OnePlus has significantly improved its camera game over the years, and this setup competes with some of the best camera phones on the market.
Nothing Phone 2: Features a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP ultra-wide lens, which produce good photos, especially in well-lit conditions. However, it lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, meaning zoom performance isn’t as strong, and the overall camera processing isn’t as advanced as OnePlus’s Hasselblad partnership brings.
Winner: OnePlus 12 (more versatile camera system, better low-light and zoom capabilities)
Battery & Charging
OnePlus 12: Packed with a 5,400mAh battery, this phone is designed to last well over a day with moderate to heavy use. When you do need to charge, it supports 100W wired charging, which can fully charge the phone in under 30 minutes. Additionally, it offers 50W wireless charging, which is among the fastest wireless charging speeds available.
Nothing Phone 2: Comes with a 4,700mAh battery, which is decent but slightly smaller than the OnePlus 12. It supports 45W wired charging, which is still fast but not as impressive as the OnePlus’s charging speeds. It also features 15W wireless charging, which, while convenient, is significantly slower than OnePlus’s offering.
Winner: OnePlus 12 (bigger battery, faster wired and wireless charging)
Software & Updates
OnePlus 12: Runs on OxygenOS 14, which is fast and smooth but has become somewhat controversial due to UI changes and pre-installed bloatware. While OnePlus used to be known for its clean software, recent versions have been criticized for becoming more like Oppo’s ColorOS. However, it still offers solid software support and regular updates.
Nothing Phone 2: Runs on Nothing OS 2.0, which is one of the cleanest and most minimalistic Android experiences out there. It has no bloatware, no ads, and a unique aesthetic that keeps things simple yet functional. If you value a pure Android experience without unnecessary clutter, Nothing Phone 2 is the better option.
Winner: Nothing Phone 2 (cleaner, bloat-free software experience)
Top 3 Accessories for OnePlus 12 and Nothing Phone 2
1.Home Click – Your Complete Home Entertainment Solution
Take your smartphone experience to the next level with Home Click, a cutting-edge home entertainment hub. This device allows you to seamlessly connect your OnePlus 12 or Nothing Phone 2 to your TV or home theater system, making it easier than ever to stream content, play mobile games on a bigger screen, or control smart home devices. Whether you’re watching movies, browsing the web, or running presentations, Home Click enhances your phone’s capabilities, transforming it into an all-in-one media powerhouse.
2. Spigen Ultra Hybrid Case (for both phones)
Protection is key, but that doesn’t mean you have to hide your phone’s aesthetics.
The Spigen Ultra Hybrid case strikes a perfect balance between durability and style.
It offers military-grade protection while keeping the Nothing Phone 2’s transparent design and the OnePlus 12’s premium build on full display.
3. Anker 45W/100W Fast Charger
If you want to fully take advantage of the rapid charging capabilities of both devices, this charger is a must-have.
The OnePlus 12 supports up to 100W wired charging, and the Anker charger ensures you’re getting the fastest speeds possible without compromising safety.
The Nothing Phone 2, while limited to 45W, also benefits from a high-quality charger that ensures consistent power delivery.
Conclusion
If you want the best performance, camera, and battery life, OnePlus 12 is the obvious choice. It’s a flagship in every sense. If you prefer a phone that looks different, has a clean Android experience, and won’t cost you as much, Nothing Phone 2 is a fantastic alternative.
Either way, both are solid, and at least we have some variety in the smartphone world. The real question is—do you want a transparent phone with lights or a performance monster?
Yours truly,
S, XOXO
