Nothing Phone (4a) vs ZTE Axon 40
The Nothing Phone (4a) (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, while the ZTE Axon 40 (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870. By overall MobileRank rating, the Nothing Phone (4a) leads — 62/100 vs 58/100 (a 4-point difference). Key differences: the Nothing Phone (4a) has the bigger battery (5200 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the Nothing Phone (4a) is faster in AnTuTu (1,039,119 vs 1,010,069).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Nothing Phone (4a)
ZTE Axon 40
What makes Nothing Phone (4a) better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 1039119 vs 1010069
- Bigger battery: 5200 vs 5000 mAh
- Lighter: 190g vs 200g
- Better camera (61/100 vs 51/100)
- Longer battery life (53/100 vs 52/100)
- Better display (80/100 vs 73/100)
- Better portability (59/100 vs 53/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 40 better?
- Better Geekbench Single: 1298 vs 1223
- Better Geekbench Multi: 3520 vs 3168
- Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
- Higher performance (61/100 vs 60/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Nothing Phone (4a) vs the ZTE Axon 40, the Nothing Phone (4a) scores 4 points higher (62/100 vs 58/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) leads (61/100 vs 51/100). In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 40 and the Nothing Phone (4a) are nearly equal (61/100 vs 60/100). In the "display" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) is a bit better (80/100 vs 73/100). In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) is a bit better (61/100 vs 51/100). In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) and the ZTE Axon 40 are nearly equal (53/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) is a bit better (59/100 vs 53/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Nothing Phone (4a) | ZTE Axon 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 | |
| AnTuTu | 1039119 | 1010069 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1223 | 1298 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3168 | 3520 | |
| Display | 6.7" AMOLED | 6.7" | |
| Resolution | 2412x1080 | 1080x2400 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5200 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 45W | — | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 64 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 8 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 0 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 44 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | — | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 128GB | |
| OS | Android 16 | Android 12 Snow Cone | |
| Brightness (peak) | 4500 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP64 | — | |
| Dimensions | 164.0×77.6×8.6 mm | 163.4×75.9×8.6 mm | |
| Weight | 190 g | 200 g | |
| Launch price | $349 | — |
Camera comparison
Nothing Phone (4a)
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
ZTE Axon 40
- Main: 64MP
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 44MP
Display comparison
Nothing Phone (4a)
- 6.7" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2412x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
ZTE Axon 40
- 6.7"
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Nothing Phone (4a)
- 5200 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- No wireless charging
ZTE Axon 40
- 5000 mAh
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared Nothing Phone (4a) and ZTE Axon 40, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Nothing Phone (4a) leads ZTE Axon 40 by 2.9% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
ZTE Axon 40
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the ZTE Axon 40 and the Nothing Phone (4a) are nearly equal (61/100 vs 60/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) is a bit better (80/100 vs 73/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) is a bit better (61/100 vs 51/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) and the ZTE Axon 40 are nearly equal (53/100 vs 52/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Nothing Phone (4a) is a bit better (59/100 vs 53/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Nothing Phone (4a) or the ZTE Axon 40?
The Nothing Phone (4a) edges out the ZTE Axon 40 by just 4 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Nothing Phone (4a) and the ZTE Axon 40?
The Nothing Phone (4a) has a MobileRank rating of 62/100, the ZTE Axon 40 — 58/100.
Which has the better camera: the Nothing Phone (4a) or the ZTE Axon 40?
The Nothing Phone (4a) leads on camera score (61/100 vs 51/100).
Should you choose the Nothing Phone (4a) over the ZTE Axon 40?
The Nothing Phone (4a) is a better fit for active users. The ZTE Axon 40 is a better fit for active users.