Nothing Phone (3a) vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
The Nothing Phone (3a) (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) (2025) runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $329 and $892. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads — 87/100 vs 60/100 (a 27-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) has the bigger battery (6800 mAh vs 5000); the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is faster in AnTuTu (3,942,923 vs 1,044,507); the Nothing Phone (3a) is noticeably lighter (201g vs 224g).
Nothing Phone (3a)
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- Lighter: 201g vs 224g
- Cheaper at launch: $329 vs $892
- Better portability (54/100 vs 42/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3942923 vs 1044507
- Better Geekbench Single: 3640 vs 1162
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11033 vs 3315
- Bigger battery: 6800 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 90W vs 45W
- Higher performance (98/100 vs 60/100)
- Better camera (87/100 vs 61/100)
- Longer battery life (83/100 vs 48/100)
- Better display (81/100 vs 79/100)
Comparing the Nothing Phone (3a) vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) scores 27 points higher (87/100 vs 60/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (98/100 vs 60/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (87/100 vs 61/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads (83/100 vs 48/100). Value score: Nothing Phone (3a) — 62/100, Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) — 86/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (98/100 vs 60/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (81/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (87/100 vs 61/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (83/100 vs 48/100). In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (54/100 vs 42/100).
| Specification | Nothing Phone (3a) | Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1044507 | 3942923 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1162 | 3640 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3315 | 11033 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.9" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2392x1080 | 1200x2608 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 6800 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 90W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 50W | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 15 / Nothing OS 3.1 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP54 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 163.5×77.5×8.4 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 201 g | 224 g | |
| Launch price | $329 | $892 |
Nothing Phone (3a)
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 50MP
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2392x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6.9" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1200x2608
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)
- 6800 mAh
- Wired: 90W
- Wireless: 50W
We compared Nothing Phone (3a) and Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China), covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads Nothing Phone (3a) by 73.5% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $563. Nothing Phone (3a) was $563 cheaper at launch.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (98/100 vs 60/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (81/100 vs 79/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (87/100 vs 61/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (83/100 vs 48/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (54/100 vs 42/100).
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) by 27 points (87/100 vs 60/100).
What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (3a) and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Nothing Phone (3a) has a MobileRank rating of 60/100, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) — 87/100.
Which has the better camera: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on camera score (87/100 vs 61/100).
Which is more powerful: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) leads on performance (98/100 vs 60/100).
Should you choose the Nothing Phone (3a) over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China)?
The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra (China) is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.