Nothing Phone (3a) vs Xiaomi 12S Ultra
The Nothing Phone (3a) (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the Xiaomi 12S Ultra (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra leads — 49/100 vs 42/100 (a 7-point difference). Key differences: the Nothing Phone (3a) has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4800); the main camera is 50 MP vs 3 MP; the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (1,627,862 vs 1,044,507); the Nothing Phone (3a) is noticeably lighter (201g vs 225g).
Nothing Phone (3a)
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4800 mAh
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 3MP
- Lighter: 201g vs 225g
- Better design/ergonomics (48/100 vs 18/100)
- Better value for money (87/100 vs 55/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 1627862 vs 1044507
- Better Geekbench Single: 1761 vs 1162
- Better Geekbench Multi: 4688 vs 3315
- Faster charging: 67W vs 45W
- Higher performance (24/100 vs 7/100)
- Better camera (70/100 vs 58/100)
- Longer battery life (43/100 vs 42/100)
Comparing the Nothing Phone (3a) vs the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra scores 7 points higher (49/100 vs 42/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra leads (24/100 vs 7/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra leads (70/100 vs 58/100). In the "value for money" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads (87/100 vs 55/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (24/100 vs 7/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100. In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is a bit better (70/100 vs 58/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (43/100 vs 42/100). In the "design" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 12S Ultra (48/100 vs 18/100). In the "value for money" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 12S Ultra (87/100 vs 55/100).
| Specification | Nothing Phone (3a) | Xiaomi 12S Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | |
| AnTuTu | 1044507 | 1627862 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1162 | 1761 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3315 | 4688 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.7" LTPO2 AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2392x1080 | 1440x3200 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4800 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 67W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 136 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 3 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 48 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 48 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 8GB / 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | Android 15 / Nothing OS 3.1 | Android 12, MIUI 13 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 1500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP54 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.5×77.5×8.4 mm | 163.2×75.0×9.1 mm | |
| Weight | 201 g | 225 g | |
| Price | $329 | — |
Nothing Phone (3a)
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
- Main: 3MP f/f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 32MP
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2392x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
- 6.7" LTPO2 AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3200
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
- 4800 mAh
- Wired: 67W
- No wireless charging
We compared Nothing Phone (3a) and Xiaomi 12S Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 12S Ultra leads Nothing Phone (3a) by 35.8% in our overall performance rating.
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Price unknownperformance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (24/100 vs 7/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra is a bit better (70/100 vs 58/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (43/100 vs 42/100).
design
In the "design" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 12S Ultra (48/100 vs 18/100).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) significantly outperforms the Xiaomi 12S Ultra (87/100 vs 55/100).
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the Xiaomi 12S Ultra?
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra edges out the Nothing Phone (3a) by just 7 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (3a) and the Xiaomi 12S Ultra?
The Nothing Phone (3a) has a MobileRank rating of 42/100, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra — 49/100.
Which has the better camera: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the Xiaomi 12S Ultra?
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra leads on camera score (70/100 vs 58/100).
Which is more powerful: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the Xiaomi 12S Ultra?
The Xiaomi 12S Ultra leads on performance (24/100 vs 7/100).
Should you choose the Nothing Phone (3a) over the Xiaomi 12S Ultra?
The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers. The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is a better fit for everyday use.