The nickel plated cases are much less prone to corrosion than the unplated cases - both are brass. Brass cases, in constant contact with leather (ammo pouches, etc.) will very quickly begin to corrode. If there is any condensation (just movement from a cool place to a warmer one, in high humidity) the brass can "spot". Notice that the premium loads for PD, etc., are usually loaded in nickel cases - they are expensive, not shot as much, and spend more time in the chambers/magazines/cylinders of the guns they are carried in.
Nickel is harder than brass, and this is most noticeable to reloaders - they "scrape" going through the sizing and necking dies - just a nuisance with carbide dies, but more wear on the tool steel dies.