Nothing Phone (3a) vs ZTE Axon 50 Ultra

The Nothing Phone (3a) (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3, while the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra (2023) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. By overall MobileRank rating, the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra leads — 73/100 vs 60/100 (a 13-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (1,425,446 vs 1,044,507).

The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is noticeably better than the Nothing Phone (3a) — the overall rating gap is 13 points.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nothing Phone (3a)
Performance 60
Display 79
Camera 61
Battery 48
Portability 54
Value for money 62
ZTE Axon 50 Ultra
Performance 71
Display 89
Camera 86
Battery 56
Portability 50
Value for money
What makes Nothing Phone (3a) better?

  • Better portability (54/100 vs 50/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 50 Ultra better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 1425446 vs 1044507
  • Better Geekbench Single: 1761 vs 1162
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 4688 vs 3315
  • Faster charging: 80W vs 45W
  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
  • Lighter: 199g vs 201g

  • Higher performance (71/100 vs 60/100)
  • Better camera (86/100 vs 61/100)
  • Longer battery life (56/100 vs 48/100)
  • Better display (89/100 vs 79/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Nothing Phone (3a) vs the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra, the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra scores 13 points higher (73/100 vs 60/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra leads (71/100 vs 60/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 61/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is a bit better (71/100 vs 60/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (86/100 vs 61/100). In the "battery" category, the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is a bit better (56/100 vs 48/100). In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) and the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra are nearly equal (54/100 vs 50/100).

Nothing Phone (3a): The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users.
ZTE Axon 50 Ultra: The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is a better fit for active users, mobile photography enthusiasts.
Specs comparison
Specification Nothing Phone (3a) ZTE Axon 50 Ultra
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
AnTuTu 1044507 1425446
Geekbench Single 1162 1761
Geekbench Multi 3315 4688
Display 6.8" AMOLED 6.7" AMOLED
Resolution 2392x1080 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 144 Hz
Battery 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 45W 80W
Main camera 50 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 8 MP 50 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 50 MP
Front camera 32 MP 32 MP
RAM 8GB / 12GB 12GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB 256GB / 512GB
OS Android 15 / Nothing OS 3.1 Android 12, MyOS 12
Brightness (peak) 3000 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP54 IP54
Dimensions 163.5×77.5×8.4 mm 161.8×73.1×8.9 mm
Weight 201 g 199 g
Price $329
Camera comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
61
camera
ZTE Axon 50 Ultra
  • Main: 64MP f/f/1.9
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 32MP
86
camera
Display comparison
Nothing Phone (3a)
  • 6.8" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2392x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
79
display
ZTE Axon 50 Ultra
  • 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 50 Ultra
  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 80W
  • No wireless charging
56
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Nothing Phone (3a) and ZTE Axon 50 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Nothing Phone (3a) Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
60/100
1044507 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 50 Ultra Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
73/100 +26.7%
1425446 AnTuTu

ZTE Axon 50 Ultra leads Nothing Phone (3a) by 26.7% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Nothing Phone (3a)
$329
ZTE Axon 50 Ultra
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is a bit better (71/100 vs 60/100).

display

In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra notably outperforms the Nothing Phone (3a) (86/100 vs 61/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is a bit better (56/100 vs 48/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (3a) and the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra are nearly equal (54/100 vs 50/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra?

The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is noticeably better than the Nothing Phone (3a) — the overall rating gap is 13 points.

What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (3a) and the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra?

The Nothing Phone (3a) has a MobileRank rating of 60/100, the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra — 73/100.

Which has the better camera: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra?

The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 61/100).

Which is more powerful: the Nothing Phone (3a) or the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra?

The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra leads on performance (71/100 vs 60/100).

Should you choose the Nothing Phone (3a) over the ZTE Axon 50 Ultra?

The Nothing Phone (3a) is a better fit for active users. The ZTE Axon 50 Ultra is a better fit for active users, mobile photography enthusiasts.