Nothing Phone (3a) vs ZTE Axon 30S
The Nothing Phone (3a) (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the ZTE Axon 30S (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G. By overall MobileRank rating, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads — 60/100 vs 54/100 (a 6-point difference). Key differences: the Nothing Phone (3a) has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4200); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the Nothing Phone (3a) is faster in AnTuTu (1,050,601 vs 1,010,069).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nothing Phone (3a)
ZTE Axon 30S
What makes Nothing Phone (3a) better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 1050601 vs 1010069
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4200 mAh
- Better camera (61/100 vs 43/100)
- Longer battery life (48/100 vs 33/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 30S better?
- Better Geekbench Single: 1298 vs 1161
- Better Geekbench Multi: 3520 vs 3390
- Faster charging: 55W vs 45W
- Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
- Lighter: 189g vs 201g
- Higher performance (61/100 vs 60/100)
- Better portability (67/100 vs 54/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Nothing Phone (3a) vs the ZTE Axon 30S, the Nothing Phone (3a) scores 6 points higher (60/100 vs 54/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads (61/100 vs 43/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads (48/100 vs 33/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 30S and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (61/100 vs 60/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 79/100. In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 30S (61/100 vs 43/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 30S (48/100 vs 33/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 30S is a bit better (67/100 vs 54/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Nothing Phone (3a) | ZTE Axon 30S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G | |
| AnTuTu | 1050601 | 1010069 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1161 | 1298 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3390 | 3520 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.9" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2392x1080 | 1080x2460 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4200 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 55W | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 64 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 8 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 0 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 16 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 8GB / 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 128GB / 256GB | |
| OS | Android 15 / Nothing OS 3.1 | Android 12, MyOS 12 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP54 | — | |
| Dimensions | 163.5×77.5×8.4 mm | 170.2×77.8×7.8 mm | |
| Weight | 201 g | 189 g | |
| Launch price | $329 | — |
Camera comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
ZTE Axon 30S
- Main: 64MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 16MP
Display comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2392x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
ZTE Axon 30S
- 6.9" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2460
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
ZTE Axon 30S
- 4200 mAh
- Wired: 55W
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared Nothing Phone (3a) and ZTE Axon 30S, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Nothing Phone (3a) leads ZTE Axon 30S by 4.0% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
ZTE Axon 30S
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 30S and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (61/100 vs 60/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 79/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 30S (61/100 vs 43/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 30S (48/100 vs 33/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 30S is a bit better (67/100 vs 54/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the ZTE Axon 30S?
The Nothing Phone (3a) edges out the ZTE Axon 30S by just 6 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (3a) and the ZTE Axon 30S?
The Nothing Phone (3a) has a MobileRank rating of 60/100, the ZTE Axon 30S — 54/100.
Which has the better camera: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the ZTE Axon 30S?
The Nothing Phone (3a) leads on camera score (61/100 vs 43/100).
Should you choose the Nothing Phone (3a) over the ZTE Axon 30S?
The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users. The ZTE Axon 30S is a better fit for active users.