Nokia XR21 vs Nothing Phone (3a)

The Nokia XR21 (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G, while the Nothing Phone (3a) (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. By overall MobileRank rating, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads — 60/100 vs 46/100 (a 14-point difference). Key differences: the Nothing Phone (3a) has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4800); the main camera is 64 MP vs 50 MP; the Nothing Phone (3a) is faster in AnTuTu (1,044,507 vs 592,015); the Nothing Phone (3a) is noticeably lighter (201g vs 231g).

The Nothing Phone (3a) is noticeably better than the Nokia XR21 — the overall rating gap is 14 points.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nokia XR21
Performance 46
Display 67
Camera 43
Battery 42
Portability 24
Value for money
Nothing Phone (3a)
Performance 60
Display 79
Camera 61
Battery 48
Portability 54
Value for money 62
What makes Nokia XR21 better?
  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP

  • Overall rating 46/100
What makes Nothing Phone (3a) better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 1044507 vs 592015
  • Better Geekbench Single: 1162 vs 905
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 3315 vs 2003
  • Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4800 mAh
  • Faster charging: 45W vs 33W
  • Lighter: 201g vs 231g

  • Higher performance (60/100 vs 46/100)
  • Better camera (61/100 vs 43/100)
  • Longer battery life (48/100 vs 42/100)
  • Better display (79/100 vs 67/100)
  • Better portability (54/100 vs 24/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Nokia XR21 vs the Nothing Phone (3a), the Nothing Phone (3a) scores 14 points higher (60/100 vs 46/100). In the "performance" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads (60/100 vs 46/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads (61/100 vs 43/100). In the "performance" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (60/100 vs 46/100). In the "display" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (79/100 vs 67/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) notably outperforms the Nokia XR21 (61/100 vs 43/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (48/100 vs 42/100). In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) significantly outperforms the Nokia XR21 (54/100 vs 24/100).

Nokia XR21: The Nokia XR21 is a better fit for everyday use.
Nothing Phone (3a): The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Nokia XR21 Nothing Phone (3a)
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
AnTuTu 592015 1044507
Geekbench Single 905 1162
Geekbench Multi 2003 3315
Display 6.5" IPS LCD 6.8" AMOLED
Resolution 1080x2400 2392x1080
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 4800 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 33W 45W
Main camera 64 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide 8 MP 8 MP
Telephoto 0 MP 50 MP
Front camera 16 MP 32 MP
RAM 6GB 8GB / 12GB
Storage 128GB 128GB / 256GB
OS Android 12 Android 15 / Nothing OS 3.1
Brightness (peak) 550 nits 3000 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP54
Dimensions 168.0×78.6×10.5 mm 163.5×77.5×8.4 mm
Weight 231 g 201 g
Launch price $329
Camera comparison
Nokia XR21
  • Main: 64MP f/f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 16MP
43
camera
Nothing Phone (3a)
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
61
camera
Display comparison
Nokia XR21
  • 6.5" IPS LCD
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
67
display
Nothing Phone (3a)
  • 6.8" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2392x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
79
display
Battery and charging
Nokia XR21
  • 4800 mAh
  • Wired: 33W
  • No wireless charging
42
battery
Nothing Phone (3a)
  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 45W
  • No wireless charging
48
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Nokia XR21 and Nothing Phone (3a), covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Nokia XR21 Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G
46/100
592015 AnTuTu
Nothing Phone (3a) Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
60/100 +43.3%
1044507 AnTuTu

Nothing Phone (3a) leads Nokia XR21 by 43.3% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Nokia XR21
Price unknown
Nothing Phone (3a)
$329
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (60/100 vs 46/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (79/100 vs 67/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) notably outperforms the Nokia XR21 (61/100 vs 43/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (48/100 vs 42/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) significantly outperforms the Nokia XR21 (54/100 vs 24/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nokia XR21 or the Nothing Phone (3a)?

The Nothing Phone (3a) is noticeably better than the Nokia XR21 — the overall rating gap is 14 points.

What is the rating of the Nokia XR21 and the Nothing Phone (3a)?

The Nokia XR21 has a MobileRank rating of 46/100, the Nothing Phone (3a) — 60/100.

Which has the better camera: the Nokia XR21 or the Nothing Phone (3a)?

The Nothing Phone (3a) leads on camera score (61/100 vs 43/100).

Which is more powerful: the Nokia XR21 or the Nothing Phone (3a)?

The Nothing Phone (3a) leads on performance (60/100 vs 46/100).

Should you choose the Nokia XR21 over the Nothing Phone (3a)?

The Nokia XR21 is a better fit for everyday use. The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users.