Nothing Phone (3a) vs ZTE Axon 40 pro

The Nothing Phone (3a) (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the ZTE Axon 40 pro (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G. By overall MobileRank rating, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads — 60/100 vs 58/100 (a 2-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 50 MP vs 108 MP; the Nothing Phone (3a) is faster in AnTuTu (1,050,601 vs 1,010,069).

The Nothing Phone (3a) edges out the ZTE Axon 40 pro by just 2 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 56

ZTE Axon 40 pro

Performance 61
Display 89
Camera 44
Battery 52
Portability 52
Value for money —

What makes Nothing Phone (3a) better?

  • Higher AnTuTu: 1050601 vs 1010069

  • Better camera (61/100 vs 44/100)
  • Better portability (54/100 vs 52/100)

What makes ZTE Axon 40 pro better?

  • Better Geekbench Single: 1298 vs 1161
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 3520 vs 3390
  • Faster charging: 65W vs 45W
  • Better main camera: 108MP vs 50MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
  • Lighter: 199g vs 201g

  • Higher performance (61/100 vs 60/100)
  • Longer battery life (52/100 vs 48/100)
  • Better display (89/100 vs 79/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Nothing Phone (3a) vs the ZTE Axon 40 pro, the Nothing Phone (3a) scores 2 points higher (60/100 vs 58/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) leads (61/100 vs 44/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 40 pro and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (61/100 vs 60/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 40 pro is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 pro (61/100 vs 44/100). In the "battery" category, the ZTE Axon 40 pro and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (52/100 vs 48/100). In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) and the ZTE Axon 40 pro are nearly equal (54/100 vs 52/100).

Nothing Phone (3a): The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users.
ZTE Axon 40 pro: The ZTE Axon 40 pro is a better fit for active users.

Specs comparison

Specification Nothing Phone (3a) ZTE Axon 40 pro
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 6.7" AMOLED
Resolution 2392x1080 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 144 Hz
Battery 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 45W 65W
Main camera 50 MP 108 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 / 512GB
OS Android 15 / Nothing OS 3.1 Android 12, MyOS 12
Brightness (peak) 3000 nits 1000 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP54 —
Dimensions 163.5×77.5×8.4 mm 162.9×72.9×8.7 mm
Weight 201 g 199 g
Launch price $329 —

Camera comparison

Nothing Phone (3a)

  • Main: 50MP f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
61
camera

ZTE Axon 40 pro

  • Main: 108MP f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 16MP
44
camera

Display comparison

Nothing Phone (3a)

  • 6.8" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2392x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
79
display

ZTE Axon 40 pro

  • 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 40 pro

  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 65W
  • No wireless charging
52
battery

Overall performance score

We compared Nothing Phone (3a) and ZTE Axon 40 pro, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Nothing Phone (3a) Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
60/100
1050601 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 40 pro Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G
58/100 -4.0%
1010069 AnTuTu

Nothing Phone (3a) leads ZTE Axon 40 pro by 4.0% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Nothing Phone (3a)

$329

ZTE Axon 40 pro

Price unknown

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 40 pro and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (61/100 vs 60/100).

display

In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 40 pro is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 pro (61/100 vs 44/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the ZTE Axon 40 pro and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (52/100 vs 48/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) and the ZTE Axon 40 pro are nearly equal (54/100 vs 52/100).

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the ZTE Axon 40 pro?

The Nothing Phone (3a) edges out the ZTE Axon 40 pro by just 2 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (3a) and the ZTE Axon 40 pro?

The Nothing Phone (3a) has a MobileRank rating of 60/100, the ZTE Axon 40 pro — 58/100.

Which has the better camera: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the ZTE Axon 40 pro?

The Nothing Phone (3a) leads on camera score (61/100 vs 44/100).

Should you choose the Nothing Phone (3a) over the ZTE Axon 40 pro?

The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users. The ZTE Axon 40 pro is a better fit for active users.