Nothing Phone (3a) vs ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
The Nothing Phone (3a) (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G (2021) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. By overall MobileRank rating, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G leads — 65/100 vs 60/100 (a 5-point difference). Key differences: the Nothing Phone (3a) has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4600); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is faster in AnTuTu (1,135,878 vs 1,050,601).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nothing Phone (3a)
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
What makes Nothing Phone (3a) better?
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4600 mAh
- Longer battery life (48/100 vs 41/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 1135878 vs 1050601
- Better Geekbench Single: 1500 vs 1161
- Better Geekbench Multi: 3537 vs 3390
- Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
- Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
- Lighter: 188g vs 201g
- Higher performance (64/100 vs 60/100)
- Better camera (71/100 vs 61/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 79/100)
- Better portability (67/100 vs 54/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Nothing Phone (3a) vs the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G scores 5 points higher (65/100 vs 60/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G leads (71/100 vs 61/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (64/100 vs 60/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a bit better (71/100 vs 61/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (48/100 vs 41/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a bit better (67/100 vs 54/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Nothing Phone (3a) | ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | |
| AnTuTu | 1050601 | 1135878 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1161 | 1500 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3390 | 3537 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.7" Super Amoled | |
| Resolution | 2392x1080 | 1080x2400 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 144 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4600 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | — | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 64 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 64 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 8 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 44 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | — | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 512GB | |
| 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 | 161.5×73.0×8.0 mm | |
| Weight | 201 g | 188 g | |
| Launch price | $329 | — |
Camera comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
- Main: 64MP
- Ultrawide: 64MP
- Telephoto: 8MP
- Front: 44MP
Display comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2392x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
- 6.7" Super Amoled
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Battery and charging
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
- 4600 mAh
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared Nothing Phone (3a) and ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G leads Nothing Phone (3a) by 7.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (64/100 vs 60/100).
display
In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a bit better (71/100 vs 61/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) is a bit better (48/100 vs 41/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a bit better (67/100 vs 54/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G edges out the Nothing Phone (3a) by just 5 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (3a) and the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The Nothing Phone (3a) has a MobileRank rating of 60/100, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G — 65/100.
Which has the better camera: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G leads on camera score (71/100 vs 61/100).
Should you choose the Nothing Phone (3a) over the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?
The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users. The ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a better fit for active users.