OnePlus Nord CE 4 vs Nothing Phone 2a vs Realme 12 Pro: Best Smartphone Under Rs 25,000 in India?

OnePlus just dropped the Nord CE 4 5G in India. However, OnePlus's latest addition to the Nord series arrives in India's highly competitive sub-25K smartphone market, where it faces competition from the likes of the Nothing Phone 2a and Realme 12 Pro 5G.

So let's find out how the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G stacks up against the Nothing Phone 2a and Realme 12 Pro 5G. Before we dive into the details, it is worth noting that our comparison will be based on specifications alone and not user experience.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 vs Nothing Phone 2a vs Realme 12 Pro: Specs Comparison

Design, Build, Display

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G follows the traditional smartphone design with flat sides and rounded edges. While the Nothing Phone 2a follows the same design formula, its back panel is anything but traditional. Its transparent back panel exposes the phone's intricate design and LED lights.

Lastly, the Realme 12 Pro 5G boasts the most elegant design of the lot, with a curved display and a vegan leather back panel. If I had to describe the design on the three phones in a single word, it would be 'edgy' for the Nothing Phone 2a, 'stylish' for the Realme 12 Pro 5G, and 'subtle' for the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G.

While all three phones feature a plastic frame and glass protection on the front, the Gorilla Glass 5 on the front of the Phone 2a is the toughest of the lot. On the other hand, the Realme 12 Pro 5G features a superior IP65 rating for resistance to dust and water as opposed to the inferior IP54 rating on the other two devices.

All three phones feature similar display specifications, although the Realme 12 Pro 5G features a curved screen as opposed to flat panels on its competitors. Both the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G and Nothing Phone 2a supports HDR10+. The Phone 2a also features the brightest screen and supports an Always-on display.

Performance, Software, Battery

In terms of performance, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC on the Nord CE 4 5G offers a clear edge over the competition. The Phone 2a also features a formidable chipset for the price, while the Realme 12 Pro 5G falls short of the mark with one of the worst chips in the segment.

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G might easily be the best-performing smartphone under Rs 25,000 in India. If you are a mobile gamer, then we'd recommend skipping the Realme 12 Pro 5G and going for the Nord CE 4 or Nothing Phone 2a.

All three phones run Android 14 out of the box with their own custom skins. We are yet to test the three phones but based on past experiences, Nothing offers the cleanest software experience with the best support. Realme UI is not bad by any means, but OnePlus and Nothing offers an excellent blend of clean software and good hardware.

Not only does the Nord CE 4 feature the largest battery but also offers the fastest charging support. Both the Nothing Phone 2a and Realme 12 Pro are equipped with large batteries and fast charging support, although the former doesn't include an adapter in the box.

Cameras

The Realme 12 Pro is equipped with a 50 MP Sony IMX882 primary sensor with OIS. The main camera is paired with an 8 MP Sony IMX355 ultrawide shooter and a 32 MP Sony IMX709 portrait-telephoto unit. Up front, the Realme 12 Pro 5G boasts a 16 MP selfie camera.

For optics, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G boasts a dual-rear camera setup with a 50 MP Sony LYT-600 primary sensor that supports OIS and an 8 MP Sony IMX355 ultrawide lens. Up front, the Nord CE 4 5G is equipped with a 16 MP selfie camera.

The Nothing Phone 2a also features a dual-rear camera setup with a 50 MP Samsung ISOCELL GN9 primary sensor with OIS and a 50 MP Samsung ISOCELL JN1 ultrawide lens. On the front, the Phone 2a opts for a 32 MP Sony IMX615 selfie camera sensor.

The camera setup on the Realme 12 Pro is the most versatile of the bunch and can deliver the best portraits thanks to the dedicated sensor. While the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G features a reliable primary camera sensor, the ultrawide can be found lacking.

The Nothing Phone 2a is equipped with high-res sensors, ensuring quality results across the board. If we had to pick one of the three, it would be the Phone 2a thanks to its consistency and quality.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 vs Nothing Phone 2a vs Realme 12 Pro: Final Thoughts

• If you are looking for a smartphone that prioritizes performance in the sub-25K segment, then we'd recommend going for the Nord CE 4 5G. The Nord CE 4 5G also features a solid primary rear camera, super-smooth display, and reliable software. Moreover, it offers the best battery life and fast charging in the segment. The downsides here are the traditional design and dated camera system.
• The Nothing Phone 2a is equipped with a solid mid-range chipset, two quality high-res camera sensors, and in-arguably the best display in the segment. It also offers excellent software support and packs a large battery. But it does come with a charging adapter and the flashy design with the LED lights and transparent back isn't for everyone. However, it still packs a lot of substance despite its stylish exterior.
• The Realme 12 Pro 5G is the best-looking smartphone of the three, although the curved display can come at the cost of usability. It offers the most versatile camera setup in the segment, offering three non-gimmicky rear sensors. The Realme 12 Pro also boasts a super-smooth display, a large battery with fast charging support, and vegan leather back. However, it could do with some improvements in the software department, while performance leaves a lot to be desired.