Nothing Phone (4a) vs ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G

The Nothing Phone (4a) (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, 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 57/100 (a 8-point difference). Key differences: the Nothing Phone (4a) has the bigger battery (5200 mAh vs 4600); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the Nothing Phone (4a) is faster in AnTuTu (1,148,725 vs 1,119,714).

The ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G edges out the Nothing Phone (4a) by just 8 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nothing Phone (4a)
Performance 62
Display 80
Camera 40
Battery 53
Portability 59
Value for money 54
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
Performance 63
Display 89
Camera 71
Battery 41
Portability 67
Value for money
What makes Nothing Phone (4a) better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 1148725 vs 1119714
  • Bigger battery: 5200 vs 4600 mAh

  • Longer battery life (53/100 vs 41/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G better?
  • Better Geekbench Single: 1488 vs 1237
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 3373 vs 3281
  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
  • Lighter: 188g vs 190g

  • Higher performance (63/100 vs 62/100)
  • Better camera (71/100 vs 40/100)
  • Better display (89/100 vs 80/100)
  • Better portability (67/100 vs 59/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Nothing Phone (4a) vs the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G scores 8 points higher (65/100 vs 57/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G leads (71/100 vs 40/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) leads (53/100 vs 41/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G and the Nothing Phone (4a) are nearly equal (63/100 vs 62/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 80/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (4a) (71/100 vs 40/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) is a bit better (53/100 vs 41/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a bit better (67/100 vs 59/100).

Nothing Phone (4a): The Nothing Phone (4a) is a better fit for active users.
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G: The ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Nothing Phone (4a) ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
AnTuTu 1148725 1119714
Geekbench Single 1237 1488
Geekbench Multi 3281 3373
Display 6.7" AMOLED 6.7" Super Amoled
Resolution 2412x1080 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 144 Hz
Battery 5200 mAh 4600 mAh
Charging 45W
Main camera 50 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 8 MP 64 MP
Telephoto 0 MP 8 MP
Front camera 32 MP 44 MP
RAM 8GB / 12GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB 512GB
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 161.5×73.0×8.0 mm
Weight 190 g 188 g
Price $349
Camera comparison
Nothing Phone (4a)
  • Main: 50MP f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 32MP
40
camera
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
  • Main: 64MP
  • Ultrawide: 64MP
  • Telephoto: 8MP
  • Front: 44MP
71
camera
Display comparison
Nothing Phone (4a)
  • 6.7" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 2412x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
80
display
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
  • 6.7" Super Amoled
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 144 Hz
89
display
Battery and charging
Nothing Phone (4a)
  • 5200 mAh
  • Wired: 45W
  • No wireless charging
53
battery
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
  • 4600 mAh
  • No wireless charging
41
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Nothing Phone (4a) and ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Nothing Phone (4a) Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4
57/100
1148725 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
65/100 -2.6%
1119714 AnTuTu

Nothing Phone (4a) leads ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G by 2.6% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Nothing Phone (4a)
$349
ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G and the Nothing Phone (4a) are nearly equal (63/100 vs 62/100).

display

In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 80/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G significantly outperforms the Nothing Phone (4a) (71/100 vs 40/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) is a bit better (53/100 vs 41/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a bit better (67/100 vs 59/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (4a) or the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?

The ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G edges out the Nothing Phone (4a) by just 8 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (4a) and the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?

The Nothing Phone (4a) has a MobileRank rating of 57/100, the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G — 65/100.

Which has the better camera: the Nothing Phone (4a) or the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?

The ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G leads on camera score (71/100 vs 40/100).

Should you choose the Nothing Phone (4a) over the ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G?

The Nothing Phone (4a) is a better fit for active users. The ZTE Axon 31 Ultra 5G is a better fit for active users.