Nothing Phone (3a) vs ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
The Nothing Phone (3a) (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. By overall MobileRank rating, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra leads — 70/100 vs 60/100 (a 10-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (1,294,871 vs 1,050,601).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nothing Phone (3a)
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
What makes Nothing Phone (3a) better?
- Lighter: 201g vs 204g
- Better portability (54/100 vs 52/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 40 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 1294871 vs 1050601
- Better Geekbench Single: 1662 vs 1161
- Better Geekbench Multi: 4188 vs 3390
- Faster charging: 65W vs 45W
- Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
- Higher performance (68/100 vs 60/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 61/100)
- Longer battery life (52/100 vs 48/100)
- Better display (80/100 vs 79/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Nothing Phone (3a) vs the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra scores 10 points higher (70/100 vs 60/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 61/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is a bit better (68/100 vs 60/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (80/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (86/100 vs 61/100). In the "battery" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra 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 Ultra are nearly equal (54/100 vs 52/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Nothing Phone (3a) | ZTE Axon 40 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | |
| AnTuTu | 1050601 | 1294871 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1161 | 1662 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3390 | 4188 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.8" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2392x1080 | 1116x2480 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | 65W | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 64 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 64 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 64 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 16 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 8GB / 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 15 / Nothing OS 3.1 | Android 12, MyOS 12 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 1500 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP54 | — | |
| Dimensions | 163.5×77.5×8.4 mm | 163.3×73.6×8.4 mm | |
| Weight | 201 g | 204 g | |
| Launch price | $329 | — |
Camera comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
- Main: 64MP f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 64MP
- Telephoto: 64MP
- Front: 16MP
Display comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2392x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1116x2480
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Nothing Phone (3a)
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 65W
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared Nothing Phone (3a) and ZTE Axon 40 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra leads Nothing Phone (3a) by 18.9% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is a bit better (68/100 vs 60/100).
display
In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Nothing Phone (3a) are nearly equal (80/100 vs 79/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (86/100 vs 61/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra 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 Ultra are nearly equal (54/100 vs 52/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra?
The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is noticeably better than the Nothing Phone (3a) — the overall rating gap is 10 points.
What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (3a) and the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra?
The Nothing Phone (3a) has a MobileRank rating of 60/100, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra — 70/100.
Which has the better camera: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra?
The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 61/100).
Which is more powerful: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra?
The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra leads on performance (68/100 vs 60/100).
Should you choose the Nothing Phone (3a) over the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra?
The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users. The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is a better fit for active users, mobile photography enthusiasts.