Nothing Phone (3a) Pro vs ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (2021) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. Both devices score the same overall rating of 61/100. Key differences: the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4200); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is faster in AnTuTu (1,119,714 vs 1,063,102); the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is noticeably lighter (183g vs 201g).

Both devices scored the same rating of 61/100 — the choice comes down to your priorities.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
Performance 60
Display 79
Camera 64
Battery 49
Portability 54
Value for money 52
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
Performance 63
Display 89
Camera 63
Battery 30
Portability 70
Value for money
What makes Nothing Phone (3a) Pro better?
  • Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4200 mAh

  • Better camera (64/100 vs 63/100)
  • Longer battery life (49/100 vs 30/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 1119714 vs 1063102
  • Better Geekbench Single: 1488 vs 1162
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 3373 vs 3315
  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
  • Lighter: 183g vs 201g

  • Higher performance (63/100 vs 60/100)
  • Better display (89/100 vs 79/100)
  • Better portability (70/100 vs 54/100)
Comparison verdict

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro and the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G received the same MobileRank rating — 61/100. In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro leads (49/100 vs 30/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G and the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro are nearly equal (63/100 vs 60/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro and the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G are nearly equal (64/100 vs 63/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (49/100 vs 30/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro (70/100 vs 54/100).

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro: The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a better fit for active users.
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G: The ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Nothing Phone (3a) Pro ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
AnTuTu 1063102 1119714
Geekbench Single 1162 1488
Geekbench Multi 3315 3373
Display 6.8" AMOLED 6.7" Amoled
Resolution 2392x1080 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 144 Hz
Battery 5000 mAh 4200 mAh
Charging 50W
Main camera 50 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 8 MP 64 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 0 MP
Front camera 50 MP
RAM 12GB
Storage 256GB 128GB
OS Android 15 / Nothing OS 3.1 Android 11 Red Velvet Cake
Brightness (peak) 3000 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP54
Dimensions 163.5×77.5×8.4 mm 163.6×75.3×7.9 mm
Weight 201 g 183 g
Price $459
Camera comparison
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 50MP
64
camera
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
  • Main: 64MP
  • Ultrawide: 64MP
  • Front: —
63
camera
Display comparison
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
  • 6.8" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2392x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
79
display
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
  • 6.7" Amoled
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 144 Hz
89
display
Battery and charging
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 50W
  • No wireless charging
49
battery
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
  • 4200 mAh
  • No wireless charging
30
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Nothing Phone (3a) Pro and ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
61/100
1063102 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
61/100 +5.1%
1119714 AnTuTu

ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G leads Nothing Phone (3a) Pro by 5.1% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro
$459
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G and the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro are nearly equal (63/100 vs 60/100).

display

In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro and the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G are nearly equal (64/100 vs 63/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (49/100 vs 30/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro (70/100 vs 54/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro or the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

Both devices scored 61/100. The choice depends on your priorities: if performance matters more — go with the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G.

What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro and the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro has a MobileRank rating of 61/100, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G — 61/100.

Should you choose the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro over the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is a better fit for active users. The ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a better fit for active users.