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 (1,044,507 vs 1,010,069).

The Nothing Phone (3a) edges out the ZTE Axon 30S by just 6 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nothing Phone (3a)
Performance 60
Display 79
Camera 61
Battery 48
Portability 54
Value for money 62
ZTE Axon 30S
Performance 61
Display 79
Camera 43
Battery 33
Portability 67
Value for money
What makes Nothing Phone (3a) better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 1044507 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 1162
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 3520 vs 3315
  • 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).

Nothing Phone (3a): The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users.
ZTE Axon 30S: The ZTE Axon 30S is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Nothing Phone (3a) ZTE Axon 30S
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G
AnTuTu 1044507 1010069
Geekbench Single 1162 1298
Geekbench Multi 3315 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
Price $329
Camera comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
61
camera
ZTE Axon 30S
  • Main: 64MP f/f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 16MP
43
camera
Display comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
  • 6.8" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2392x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
79
display
ZTE Axon 30S
  • 6.9" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1080x2460
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
79
display
Battery and charging
Nothing Phone (3a)
  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 45W
  • No wireless charging
48
battery
ZTE Axon 30S
  • 4200 mAh
  • Wired: 55W
  • No wireless charging
33
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Nothing Phone (3a) and ZTE Axon 30S, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Nothing Phone (3a) Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
60/100
1044507 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 30S Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G
54/100 -3.4%
1010069 AnTuTu

Nothing Phone (3a) leads ZTE Axon 30S by 3.4% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Nothing Phone (3a)
$329
ZTE Axon 30S
Price unknown
Detailed 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.