Nothing Phone (3a) vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra
The Nothing Phone (3a) (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $329 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads — 89/100 vs 60/100 (a 29-point difference). Key differences: the Xiaomi 17 Ultra has the bigger battery (6000 mAh vs 5000); the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,600,724 vs 1,050,601); the Nothing Phone (3a) is noticeably lighter (201g vs 226g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nothing Phone (3a)
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
What makes Nothing Phone (3a) better?
- Lighter: 201g vs 226g
- Cheaper at launch: $329 vs $999
- Better portability (54/100 vs 40/100)
What makes Xiaomi 17 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3600724 vs 1050601
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 1161
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 3390
- Bigger battery: 6000 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 90W vs 45W
- Higher performance (97/100 vs 60/100)
- Better camera (93/100 vs 61/100)
- Longer battery life (80/100 vs 48/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 79/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Nothing Phone (3a) vs the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra scores 29 points higher (89/100 vs 60/100). In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (97/100 vs 60/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (93/100 vs 61/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads (80/100 vs 48/100). Value score: Nothing Phone (3a) — 56/100, Xiaomi 17 Ultra — 88/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (97/100 vs 60/100). In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (93/100 vs 61/100). In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (80/100 vs 48/100). In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (54/100 vs 40/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Nothing Phone (3a) | Xiaomi 17 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1050601 | 3600724 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1161 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3390 | 11047 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2392x1080 | 3200x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 90W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 50W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 166 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 200 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 15 / Nothing OS 3.1 | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 3500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP54 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.5×77.5×8.4 mm | 162.9×77.6×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 201 g | 226 g | |
| Launch price | $329 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- Main: 50MP f/1.63
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 200MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2392x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 3200x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- 6000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 16:09 hrs, total 33:23 hrs
- Wired: 90W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Nothing Phone (3a) and Xiaomi 17 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads Nothing Phone (3a) by 70.8% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $670. Nothing Phone (3a) was $670 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (97/100 vs 60/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (93/100 vs 61/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (80/100 vs 48/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (54/100 vs 40/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) by 29 points (89/100 vs 60/100).
What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (3a) and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Nothing Phone (3a) has a MobileRank rating of 60/100, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra — 89/100.
Which has the better camera: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads on camera score (93/100 vs 61/100).
Which is more powerful: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Xiaomi 17 Ultra leads on performance (97/100 vs 60/100).
Should you choose the Nothing Phone (3a) over the Xiaomi 17 Ultra?
The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.