Nothing Phone (3a) vs ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G

The Nothing Phone (3a) (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (2021) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. By overall MobileRank rating, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G leads — 61/100 vs 60/100 (a 1-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 ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is faster in AnTuTu (1,119,714 vs 1,044,507); the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is noticeably lighter (183g vs 201g).

The ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G edges out the Nothing Phone (3a) by just 1 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 31 Pro 5G
Performance 63
Display 89
Camera 63
Battery 30
Portability 70
Value for money
What makes Nothing Phone (3a) better?
  • Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4200 mAh

  • Longer battery life (48/100 vs 30/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 1119714 vs 1044507
  • Better Geekbench Single: 1488 vs 1162
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 3373 vs 3315
  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
  • Lighter: 183g vs 201g

  • Higher performance (63/100 vs 60/100)
  • Better camera (63/100 vs 61/100)
  • Better display (89/100 vs 79/100)
  • Better portability (70/100 vs 54/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Nothing Phone (3a) vs the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G scores 1 points higher (61/100 vs 60/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads (48/100 vs 30/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (63/100 vs 60/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (63/100 vs 61/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (48/100 vs 30/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (70/100 vs 54/100).

Nothing Phone (3a): The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users.
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G: The ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Nothing Phone (3a) ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
AnTuTu 1044507 1119714
Geekbench Single 1162 1488
Geekbench Multi 3315 3373
Display 6.8" AMOLED 6.7" Amoled
Resolution 2392x1080 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 144 Hz
Battery 5000 mAh 4200 mAh
Charging 45W
Main camera 50 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 8 MP 64 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 0 MP
Front camera 32 MP
RAM 8GB / 12GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB 128GB
OS Android 15 / Nothing OS 3.1 Android 11 Red Velvet Cake
Brightness (peak) 3000 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP54
Dimensions 163.5×77.5×8.4 mm 163.6×75.3×7.9 mm
Weight 201 g 183 g
Price $329
Camera comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
61
camera
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
  • Main: 64MP
  • Ultrawide: 64MP
  • Front: —
63
camera
Display comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
  • 6.8" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2392x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
79
display
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
  • 6.7" Amoled
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 144 Hz
89
display
Battery and charging
Nothing Phone (3a)
  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 45W
  • No wireless charging
48
battery
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
  • 4200 mAh
  • No wireless charging
30
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Nothing Phone (3a) and ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Nothing Phone (3a) Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
60/100
1044507 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
61/100 +6.7%
1119714 AnTuTu

ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G leads Nothing Phone (3a) by 6.7% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Nothing Phone (3a)
$329
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (63/100 vs 60/100).

display

In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (63/100 vs 61/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (48/100 vs 30/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (70/100 vs 54/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G edges out the Nothing Phone (3a) by just 1 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (3a) and the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The Nothing Phone (3a) has a MobileRank rating of 60/100, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G — 61/100.

Should you choose the Nothing Phone (3a) over the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users. The ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a better fit for active users.