Nothing Phone (3a) Pro vs Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888/888+ 5G. By overall MobileRank rating, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro leads — 43/100 vs 34/100 (a 9-point difference). Key differences: the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4500); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is noticeably lighter (201g vs 220g).

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro edges out the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS by just 9 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
Performance 7
Display 100
Camera 62
Battery 44
Design 48
Value for money 78
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS
Performance 0
Display 100
Camera 43
Battery 49
Design 25
Value for money 55
What makes Nothing Phone (3a) Pro better?
  • Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4500 mAh
  • Lighter: 201g vs 220g

  • Higher performance (7/100 vs 0/100)
  • Better camera (62/100 vs 43/100)
  • Better design/ergonomics (48/100 vs 25/100)
  • Better value for money (78/100 vs 55/100)
What makes Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS better?
  • Faster charging: 120W vs 50W
  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz

  • Longer battery life (49/100 vs 44/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro vs the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro scores 9 points higher (43/100 vs 34/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro leads (62/100 vs 43/100). In the "value for money" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro leads (78/100 vs 55/100). In the "performance" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a bit better (7/100 vs 0/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100. In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro notably outperforms the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS (62/100 vs 43/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS is a bit better (49/100 vs 44/100). In the "design" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro notably outperforms the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS (48/100 vs 25/100). In the "value for money" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro notably outperforms the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS (78/100 vs 55/100).

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro: The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers.
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS: The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS is a better fit for everyday use.
Specs comparison
Specification Nothing Phone (3a) Pro Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Qualcomm Snapdragon 888/888+ 5G
AnTuTu 1063102
Geekbench Single 1162
Geekbench Multi 3315
Display 6.8" AMOLED 6.7" AMOLED
Resolution 2392x1080 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 144 Hz
Battery 5000 mAh 4500 mAh
Charging 50W 120W
Main camera 50 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 8 MP 8 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 5 MP
Front camera 50 MP 20 MP
RAM 12GB 8GB / 12GB
Storage 256GB 256GB
OS Android 15 / Nothing OS 3.1 Android 12, Joy UI 12.8
Brightness (peak) 3000 nits 1300 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP54
Dimensions 163.5×77.5×8.4 mm 163.7×76.2×9.9 mm
Weight 201 g 220 g
Price $459
Camera comparison
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 50MP
62
camera
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS
  • Main: 64MP f/f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Telephoto: 5MP
  • Front: 20MP
43
camera
Display comparison
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
  • 6.8" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2392x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS
  • 6.7" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 144 Hz
100
display
Battery and charging
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 50W
  • No wireless charging
44
battery
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS
  • 4500 mAh
  • Wired: 120W
  • No wireless charging
49
battery
Benchmarks
Price and availability
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
$459
Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a bit better (7/100 vs 0/100).

display

In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100.

camera

In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro notably outperforms the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS (62/100 vs 43/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS is a bit better (49/100 vs 44/100).

design

In the "design" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro notably outperforms the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS (48/100 vs 25/100).

value for money

In the "value for money" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro notably outperforms the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS (78/100 vs 55/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro or the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS?

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro edges out the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS by just 9 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro and the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS?

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro has a MobileRank rating of 43/100, the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS — 34/100.

Which has the better camera: the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro or the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS?

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro leads on camera score (62/100 vs 43/100).

Which is more powerful: the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro or the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS?

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro leads on performance (7/100 vs 0/100).

Should you choose the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro over the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS?

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers. The Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS is a better fit for everyday use.