In 2025, the smartphone market is more competitive than ever, and two of the most talked-about devices are the Xiaomi 17 Pro and Nothing Phone (3a) Pro. Both phones offer unique propositions — Xiaomi aims for ultra-premium performance and innovation, while Nothing focuses on delivering smart value with a distinct design. Let’s explore how these two stack up against each other in every major aspect.
The Xiaomi 17 Pro brings a compact and elegant design crafted with premium materials — a Dragon Crystal Glass front and an aluminum frame, weighing only 192g. It’s IP68-rated, ensuring protection from dust and submersion up to 4 meters for 30 minutes.
In contrast, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro continues Nothing’s transparent aesthetic, featuring Panda Glass protection and LED light strips on the back that double as notification indicators. It’s slightly bulkier and heavier at 211g, with an IP64 rating for splash resistance. While Xiaomi’s craftsmanship feels luxurious, Nothing wins points for its creative and futuristic design approach.
Xiaomi once again takes the lead in display technology. The 6.3-inch LTPO AMOLED panel offers 68 billion colors, 2160Hz PWM dimming, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and a staggering 3500 nits peak brightness. It even includes a secondary 2.7-inch AMOLED display on the back — a unique touch for quick controls and selfies.
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro, on the other hand, features a larger 6.77-inch AMOLED display with HDR10+, 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 3000 nits peak brightness. While it lacks a secondary display, it still offers vibrant visuals and smooth scrolling. Xiaomi’s screen remains superior for brightness and color depth, but Nothing’s larger panel may appeal to those who prefer a bigger viewing area.
Performance is where the difference becomes crystal clear. The Xiaomi 17 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm) chipset, coupled with up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage (UFS 4.1). Running on Android 16 with HyperOS 3, it’s built for raw speed and efficiency — ideal for gamers and multitaskers alike.
Meanwhile, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro runs on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm), paired with up to 12GB RAM. It comes with Android 15 and Nothing OS 3.1, offering a near-stock Android experience with signature Nothing design tweaks. While smooth and optimized, it doesn’t match Xiaomi’s flagship-grade power.
Xiaomi once again flexes its imaging prowess. The Xiaomi 17 Pro houses a 50MP triple Leica camera system with 5x optical zoom, laser autofocus, and 8K HDR video recording. Its 50MP selfie camera also supports 4K video and HDR10+, making it a dream setup for content creators.
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro also sports a capable 50MP triple camera, including a periscope telephoto lens (3x optical zoom) and an 8MP ultrawide. It captures detailed, balanced photos and supports 4K@30fps video. While impressive for its price, it can’t quite compete with Xiaomi’s Leica-tuned optics and advanced video modes.
Battery life is another area where Xiaomi impresses. It packs a 6300mAh Si/C Li-Ion battery supporting 100W wired, 50W wireless, and 22.5W reverse wireless charging. This ensures lightning-fast refills and unmatched endurance.
In comparison, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro offers a 5000mAh battery with 50W wired charging, achieving 50% in just 19 minutes. While efficient, Xiaomi’s larger cell and multi-mode fast charging deliver a more versatile experience for heavy users.
Both phones are 5G-ready and offer Wi-Fi 7, NFC, and advanced positioning systems. The Xiaomi 17 Pro takes the lead with Ultra Wideband (UWB), an infrared port, and Hi-Res audio support. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro, meanwhile, integrates features like Circle to Search and its signature Glyph interface, appealing to those who value innovation and design integration.
The Xiaomi 17 Pro is clearly positioned as a premium flagship, while the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro targets the upper mid-range segment with great value for money.
If you want the absolute best in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and charging speed, the Xiaomi 17 Pro stands tall as a true flagship powerhouse.
However, if you’re looking for a stylish, budget-friendly smartphone with a clean Android interface, unique design, and capable cameras, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro offers incredible value.
In short, Xiaomi 17 Pro is for power seekers — while Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is for design lovers and smart spenders.
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