Nothing Phone 3a vs iQOO Z9s: Full Comparison of Specs, Camera & Battery
Nothing Phone (3a) vs iQOO Z9s Pro: Full Comparison
Specification Comparison
| Specification | Nothing Phone (3a) | iQOO Z9s Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Starting) | ₹24,999 (8GB/128GB) | ₹24,999 (8GB/128GB) |
| Launch Date | March 2025 | August 2024 |
| Dimensions | 161.7 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm | 163.7 x 75.3 x 8.5 mm |
| Weight | 190 g | 185 g |
| Build | Glass front/back, aluminum frame | Glass front/back, plastic frame |
| IP Rating | IP54 (splash resistant) | IP64 (dust/splash resistant) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Display Type | AMOLED | Curved AMOLED |
| Display Size | 6.67 inches | 6.77 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels | 1080 x 2392 pixels |
| Display Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Display Brightness | 1600 nits (peak) | 4500 nits (peak) |
| Display Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Schott Xensation Glass |
| HDR Support | HDR10+ | HDR10+ |
| PWM Dimming | 2160Hz | 2160Hz |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 (4nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (2.5 GHz) | Octa-core (2.63 GHz) |
| GPU | Mali-G615 MC2 | Adreno 720 |
| RAM Options | 8GB, 12GB | 8GB, 12GB |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB (UFS 2.2) | 128GB, 256GB (UFS 2.2) |
| Expandable Storage | No | No |
| OS | NothingOS 3.0 (Android 15) | FunTouch OS 14 (Android 14) |
| Software Updates | 3 years OS, 4 years security | 2 years OS, 3 years security |
| Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.8, OIS) | 50MP (f/1.8, OIS) |
| Ultrawide Camera | 8MP (f/2.2) | 8MP (f/2.2) |
| Telephoto Camera | 50MP (f/2.0, 2x optical zoom) | No |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps |
| Front Camera | 32MP (f/2.2) | 16MP (f/2.0) |
| Front Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Battery Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh |
| Charging Speed | 50W wired | 80W wired |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Charging Time (20-100%) | 51 minutes | 39 minutes |
| Fingerprint Sensor | In-display optical | In-display optical |
| Face Unlock | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | Stereo | Mono |
| 3.5mm Jack | No | No |
| 5G Support | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB Version | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| Colors | Black, White | Luxe Marble, Flare Black |
| AnTuTu Score | 798,022 | 702,347 |
| Geekbench Single-Core | ~1030 | ~1130 |
| Geekbench Multi-Core | ~2800 | ~3000 |
| Design Feature | Glyph Interface | Curved display |
| Additional Sensors | Gyro, proximity, compass | Gyro, proximity, compass |
Real-Life Test Results
1. Performance and Gaming
Nothing Phone (3a): Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300, it handles daily tasks like browsing, social media, and multitasking smoothly. In gaming tests with titles like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Mobile, it maintains 45-50 fps on medium settings with minimal heating after 30 minutes. AnTuTu score of 798,022 reflects strong performance, but it lags slightly behind in GPU-intensive tasks.
iQOO Z9s Pro: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 offers a slight edge in gaming, achieving 50-55 fps in similar titles on high settings. It handles multitasking well, but thermal management is average, with noticeable warmth after 45 minutes of gaming. AnTuTu score of 702,347 is lower, but real-world gaming feels snappier due to better GPU optimization. Winner: iQOO Z9s Pro for gaming.
2. Camera Performance
Daylight Photography:
- Nothing Phone (3a): The 50MP main camera with OIS captures detailed images with natural colors and balanced exposure. The 8MP ultrawide struggles with edge distortion, and the 50MP telephoto (2x zoom) adds versatility for zoomed shots. 91mobiles notes it competes well with the Realme P3 Ultra in blind tests. [](https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/nothing-phone-3a-review/)
- iQOO Z9s Pro: The 50MP main camera excels in daylight with vivid colors and strong dynamic range, outperforming the Nothing Phone (3a) in detail retention. The 8MP ultrawide shows color shifts and lacks vibrancy. No telephoto lens limits zoom quality. Winner: iQOO Z9s Pro for main camera, Nothing Phone (3a) for versatility. [](https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/iqoo-z9s-pro-review/)
Low-Light Photography:
- Nothing Phone (3a): Night mode produces sharper textures and better detail retention, with natural colors. The telephoto lens aids low-light portraits. It outperforms rivals like the OnePlus Nord CE4 in authenticity. [](https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/iqoo-z9s-pro-review/)
- iQOO Z9s Pro: Relies on long-exposure shots, making scenes brighter but less realistic with limited dynamic range. Noise reduction is aggressive, softening details. Winner: Nothing Phone (3a). [](https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/iqoo-z9s-pro-review/)
Portrait and Selfie:
- Nothing Phone (3a): The 32MP selfie camera delivers natural skin tones and better edge detection in portraits, but background exposure can be inconsistent. [](https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/iqoo-neo-10r-vs-nothing-phone-3a-pro-camera-comparison/)
- iQOO Z9s Pro: The 16MP selfie camera smooths facial details and darkens skin tones. Portrait mode offers pleasing bokeh but lags in edge detection compared to Nothing. Winner: Nothing Phone (3a). [](https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/iqoo-z9s-pro-review/)
3. Battery Life
Nothing Phone (3a): The 5000mAh battery lasts about 15 hours and 8 minutes in PCMark tests, translating to a full day of moderate use (browsing, streaming, light gaming). YouTube streaming consumes 4% per hour, gaming 20% per hour. 50W charging takes 51 minutes from 20-100%.
[](https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/nothing-phone-3a-pro-review/)iQOO Z9s Pro: The 5500mAh battery lasts longer, around 16 hours and 11 minutes in PCMark tests, supporting nearly two days of moderate use. YouTube streaming consumes 3% per hour, gaming 19% per hour. 80W charging is faster, reaching 100% in 39 minutes. Winner: iQOO Z9s Pro.
[](https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/iqoo-z9s-pro-review/)[](https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/reviews/iqoo-z9s-pro-review-6392251)4. Display and Multimedia
Nothing Phone (3a): The 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate offers smooth scrolling and vibrant colors. Peak brightness of 1600 nits is adequate for outdoor use but less impressive than rivals. Stereo speakers provide balanced audio for videos and music.
iQOO Z9s Pro: The 6.77-inch curved AMOLED display with 4500 nits peak brightness is exceptional for outdoor visibility and HDR content. However, the mono speaker delivers average audio quality, lacking depth for multimedia. Winner: iQOO Z9s Pro for display, Nothing Phone (3a) for audio.
[](https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/reviews/iqoo-z9s-pro-review-6392251)5. Software Experience
Nothing Phone (3a): NothingOS 3.0 (Android 15) is clean, bloatware-free, and intuitive, with unique Glyph Interface for notifications. Offers 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches, ensuring longevity.
[](https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/nothing-phone-3a-review/)iQOO Z9s Pro: FunTouch OS 14 (Android 14) is functional but includes bloatware and spammy notifications. Only 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security patches limit long-term support. Winner: Nothing Phone (3a).
[](https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/iqoo-z9s-pro-review/)6. Design and Durability
Nothing Phone (3a): The transparent back and Glyph Interface make it a standout, with a premium aluminum frame. IP54 rating offers basic splash resistance. The design appeals to those seeking uniqueness.
iQOO Z9s Pro: The curved glass design feels premium but uses a plastic frame. IP64 rating provides better dust resistance. The design is sleek but less distinctive. Winner: Nothing Phone (3a) for design, iQOO Z9s Pro for durability.
[](https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/reviews/iqoo-z9s-pro-review-6392251)Pros and Cons
Nothing Phone (3a) Pros
- Unique transparent design with Glyph Interface
- Clean, bloatware-free NothingOS 3.0
- Versatile camera setup with telephoto lens
- Superior low-light photography
- Better software update commitment (3+4 years)
- Stereo speakers for enhanced audio
Nothing Phone (3a) Cons
- Lower peak display brightness (1600 nits)
- Slower 50W charging
- Ultrawide camera lacks vibrancy
- Performance slightly weaker in GPU-intensive tasks
- No charger included in the box
iQOO Z9s Pro Pros
- Brighter 4500-nit curved AMOLED display
- Faster 80W charging (39 minutes to full)
- Larger 5500mAh battery with nearly two-day life
- Better daylight photography with vivid colors
- Slightly better gaming performance
- Includes charger in the box
iQOO Z9s Pro Cons
- Bloatware-heavy FunTouch OS
- Shorter software update support (2+3 years)
- Mono speaker limits audio quality
- No telephoto lens, limiting zoom versatility
- Low-light photography is average
Conclusion
The Nothing Phone (3a) and iQOO Z9s Pro are strong contenders in the ₹25,000 segment, each catering to different user priorities. The Nothing Phone (3a) excels with its unique design, clean software, versatile camera system, and better low-light performance, making it ideal for users who value aesthetics, software longevity, and photography versatility. The iQOO Z9s Pro stands out with its brighter display, faster charging, longer battery life, and slightly better gaming performance, appealing to users focused on multimedia and gaming.
Choose Nothing Phone (3a) if you want a distinctive design, clean software, and a versatile camera with better low-light results. Choose iQOO Z9s Pro if you prioritize a vibrant display, faster charging, and gaming performance. Both phones offer excellent value, but your choice depends on whether you lean toward style and software (Nothing) or display and battery (iQOO).
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