Nothing Phone (4a) vs ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
The Nothing Phone (4a) (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, while the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (2021) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. Both devices score the same overall rating of 62/100. Key differences: the Nothing Phone (4a) has the bigger battery (5200 mAh vs 4200); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is faster in AnTuTu (1,135,878 vs 1,039,119).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nothing Phone (4a)
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
What makes Nothing Phone (4a) better?
- Bigger battery: 5200 vs 4200 mAh
- Longer battery life (53/100 vs 30/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 1135878 vs 1039119
- Better Geekbench Single: 1500 vs 1223
- Better Geekbench Multi: 3537 vs 3168
- Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
- Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
- Lighter: 183g vs 190g
- Higher performance (64/100 vs 60/100)
- Better camera (63/100 vs 61/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 80/100)
- Better portability (70/100 vs 59/100)
Comparison verdict
The Nothing Phone (4a) and the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G received the same MobileRank rating — 62/100. In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) leads (53/100 vs 30/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G and the Nothing Phone (4a) are nearly equal (64/100 vs 60/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 80/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G and the Nothing Phone (4a) are nearly equal (63/100 vs 61/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (53/100 vs 30/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a bit better (70/100 vs 59/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Nothing Phone (4a) | ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | |
| AnTuTu | 1039119 | 1135878 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1223 | 1500 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3168 | 3537 | |
| Display | 6.7" AMOLED | 6.7" Amoled | |
| Resolution | 2412x1080 | 1080x2400 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 144 Hz | |
| Battery | 5200 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 16 | Android 11 Red Velvet Cake | |
| Brightness (peak) | 4500 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP64 | — | |
| Dimensions | 164.0×77.6×8.6 mm | 163.6×75.3×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 190 g | 183 g | |
| Launch price | $349 | — |
Camera comparison
Nothing Phone (4a)
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
- Main: 64MP
- Ultrawide: 64MP
- Front: —
Display comparison
Nothing Phone (4a)
- 6.7" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2412x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
- 6.7" Amoled
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Battery and charging
Nothing Phone (4a)
- 5200 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
- 4200 mAh
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared Nothing Phone (4a) and ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G leads Nothing Phone (4a) by 8.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G and the Nothing Phone (4a) are nearly equal (64/100 vs 60/100).
display
In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 80/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G and the Nothing Phone (4a) are nearly equal (63/100 vs 61/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (53/100 vs 30/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a bit better (70/100 vs 59/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (4a) or the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?
Both devices scored 62/100. The choice depends on your priorities: if performance matters more — go with the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (64/100 vs 60/100).
What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (4a) and the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?
The Nothing Phone (4a) has a MobileRank rating of 62/100, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G — 62/100.
Should you choose the Nothing Phone (4a) over the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?
The Nothing Phone (4a) is a better fit for active users. The ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a better fit for active users.