The Mid-Range Throne Awaits: OnePlus 12R, Nothing Phone (2), Pixel 7a Clash for India’s Crown

The battle for the best sub-Rs. 40,000 smartphones in India heat up as the OnePlus 12R joins the fray, challenging established contenders like the Google Pixel 7a and the Nothing Phone (2). But who emerges victorious? Let’s delve into their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.

Design & Build: Glass, Plastic, and Glowing Glyphs

• OnePlus 12R: Flaunts premium Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front, but opts for a plastic back. Offers IP65 water resistance.
• Nothing Phone (2): Stands out with its transparent back and customizable LED “glyph interface,” but settles for Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and IP54 splash resistance.
• Pixel 7a: Goes for a plastic back to keep costs down, but boasts a superior IP67 dust and water resistance rating.

Display: Smooth Scrolling & Vivid Colors

• All Three: Utilize OLED panels for rich visuals, but the Pixel 7a maxes out at a 90Hz refresh rate.
• OnePlus 12R & Nothing Phone (2): Up the ante with 120Hz refresh rates and LTPO technology for adaptive refresh and improved battery efficiency. The 12R boasts the latest LTPO 4.0 and a brighter display.

Performance: Powerhouse vs. AI Champion

• OnePlus 12R: Leads the pack with the mighty Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, promising top-notch performance and efficient cooling.
• Nothing Phone (2): Follows closely with the same chip, offering formidable performance for everyday tasks and gaming.
• Pixel 7a: Embraces Google’s Tensor G2 chip, focusing more on AI capabilities and a fluid user experience, though raw power lags behind.

Cameras: Software Savvy vs. Hardware Muscle

• Pixel 7a: Despite having the weakest hardware setup, shines with Google’s computational photography magic, making it the photo king in this segment.
• Nothing Phone (2): Features a decent dual-camera system with a 50MP main sensor and ultrawide lens, capturing good photos in most lighting conditions.
• OnePlus 12R: While sporting a triple-camera setup, its overall camera performance falls short of the Pixel 7a, despite offering more versatility.

Battery & Charging: A Race of Endurance

• OnePlus 12R: Boasts the biggest battery (5000mAh) and fastest wired charging (80W) in the bunch.
• Nothing Phone (2): Offers a decent 4500mAh battery with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging.
• Pixel 7a: Features the smallest battery (4410mAh) but benefits from its efficient software and lower refresh rate, offering potential parity with the Phone (2) in terms of battery life.

Software: Clean vs. Feature-Rich

• All Three: Run bloatware-free operating systems, with Pixel 7a retaining its stock Android experience.
• OnePlus 12R & Nothing Phone (2): Offer customized versions of Android with additional features and optimizations.

Verdict: Choosing Your Champion

• For sheer performance and a premium feel: OnePlus 12R reigns supreme.
• For a unique design and decent cameras: Nothing Phone (2) might be your pick.
• For clean software, AI smarts, and the best camera: The Pixel 7a takes the crown.

OnePlus 12R vs Nothing Phone 2 vs Pixel 7a: Full Specs Compared

Nothing Phone (2)	OnePlus 12R 5G	Google Pixel 7a
Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC	Tensor G2 SoC
6.7-inch FHD+ LTPO AMOLED Display, 120Hz, HDR10+	6.79-inch 1.5K LTPO 4.0 AMOLED Display, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision	6.1-inch FHD+ OLED Display, 90Hz, HDR
8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM	8GB/16GB LPDDR5X RAM	8GB LPDDR5 RAM
128GB / 256GB / 512GB UFS 3.1 Storage	128GB / 256GB UFS 3.1 Storage	128GB UFS 3.1 Storage
50 MP with OIS + 50 MP (Ultrawide)	50 MP with OIS + 8 MP (Ultrawide) + 2 MP Macro	64 MP with OIS + 13 MP (Ultrawide)
32 MP Selfie Camera	16 MP Selfie Camera	13 MP Selfie Camera
4700 mAh Battery, 45W Charging, 15 Wireless Charging	5500 mAh Battery, 100W Charging	4385 mAh Battery, 18W Charging, 7.5W Wireless Charging
IP54 Rating	IP64 Rating	IP67 Rating
Android 13, Nothing OS 2.0	Android 14, OxygenOS 14	Stock Android 13
Starting Price Rs 36,999	Starting Price Rs 39,999	Starting Price Rs 38,999

FAQs:

Q: Which phone has the best display?

A: The OnePlus 12R boasts the brightest and smoothest display with the latest LTPO 4.0 technology.

Q: What about software updates?

A: The Pixel 7a gets guaranteed updates for the longest, while OnePlus and Nothing Phone (2) update policies are evolving.

Q: Is there anything else I should consider?

A: Think about features like charging speed, storage options, and brand preference before making your final decision.