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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →On paper, the Redmi Note 17 5G wins on screen size, battery capacity and charging speed. The Nothing Phone (3a) Lite counts in its favour an 8GB RAM configuration, a three-camera rear setup with ultra-wide and macro lenses, and Nothing OS. The price gap is small and depends on your country, so there is no single global winner. The figures below come from manufacturer pages and two secondary sources. None is a shared lab test, so they are claims, not measured results.
Specs side by side
The Nothing column draws on Nothing’s official Japan page. The Redmi column draws mainly on Xiaomi’s UK page, with India noted where it differs. Regional variants exist, so treat the table as a guide to the listed models, not a universal spec sheet.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Nothing Phone (3) Cell Phone, 5G Unlocked Phones 512GB, Android 15, Snapdragon 8s Gen4, AI Mobile... | $649.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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| Spec | Nothing Phone (3a) Lite | Redmi Note 17 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, up to 120Hz, HDR10+, up to 3,000 nits peak (Nothing’s claim) | 6.99-inch FHD+ AMOLED, up to 120Hz, 1,800 nits peak (Xiaomi UK’s claim) |
| Processor | Eight-core, up to 2.5GHz, 4nm process | Snapdragon 4 Gen 4, up to 2.3GHz, 4nm |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 4cm macro | 50MP main listed on the UK page |
| Front camera | 16MP | 16MP |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | UK: 7,700mAh typical. India: 8,000mAh |
| Charging | 33W | 45W (UK listing) |
| Memory and storage | 8GB + 128GB (Japan page) | 6GB + 128GB or 6GB + 256GB (UK page) |
| Software | Nothing OS 3.5 | HyperOS; Xiaomi Global advertises six years of security updates |
Display
The Redmi has the bigger panel at 6.99 inches against 6.77 inches. Both are AMOLED with refresh rates up to 120Hz. Nothing claims a higher peak brightness (3,000 nits against 1,800) and lists HDR10+. The two brands may not measure brightness the same way, so a 1,200-nit gap on paper does not tell you how the screens compare outdoors.
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Performance
Xiaomi names the chip as a Snapdragon 4 Gen 4. Nothing’s page describes an eight-core processor up to 2.5GHz on a 4nm process without naming it in the material reviewed. Clock speed and process node do not show which phone is faster in real use, and no matched independent benchmark was available. The RAM difference is clearer: Nothing’s listed model has 8GB, while Xiaomi UK’s models have 6GB. Check which memory and storage variants are sold where you live.
#1 Best Overall
- Ultra-high Performance Chipset: This cell phone is equipped with a powerful and efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, using 4nm technology and a full-core 3.2GHz CPU, supporting 24GB LPDDR5X memory + UFS 4.0 flash memory, and equipped with an AI engine, with comprehensive performance upgrades.
- Revolutionary 50MP Quad Camera System: This smartphone is equipped with All 50MP four camera system: Including a Main Camera, a Periscope, an Ultra-wide Camera, and a ultra-clear Front Camera; this cell phone support Ultra XDR 4K video, Auto Tone, Portrait Optimiser, Motion Capture Mode, Night Mode; Whether you're a photographer, vlogger, or social media enthusiast, with the pro-grade camera system and AI enhancements, this Nothing phone can ensure every shot is masterpiece-ready.
- One-Touch Control, AI-Powered Organization：ESSENTIAL KEY: A new button on the side of your device.Press once to capture your screen, long-press to record voice and ideas, and double-press to access Essential Space; ESSENTIAL SPACE: Everything in one place, organised the way you want it to be，AI mobile phones helps organise your captures, generating suggestions, and staying on top of what matters; Explore more AI features, Let AI enrich your life
- GLYPH INTERFACE: Where Light Speaks; The Glyph Matrix transforms your phone into an interactive playground—smart animations turn notifications, tools, and games into living light experiences; NFC: An animation comes to life when NFC is triggered; Glyph Button: Quick-tap to browse Glyph Toys, long-press to launch—from utilities to games; Smarter Alerts: Notifications now speak in light and sound, blending visuals with meaning; Beyond illumination; This is interaction, redefined.
- Larger and Brighter FHD Display: 6.67" FHD+ 1.5K AMOLED flex screen with 1.07B colors & 120Hz adaptive refresh for ultra-smooth visuals; Vs Nothing Phone (2)/(3a): Phone (3) boasts 181.2% brighter (4500 nits), 16.7% sharper (460 PPI), and 316% faster touch response (1000Hz); IP68-rated—tough enough for any adventure.
Cameras
Nothing lists a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide and a 4cm macro lens. Xiaomi UK’s page lists only a 50MP main camera for the rear and 16MP at the front. So Nothing has more rear hardware on paper. That does not make its photos better. Sensor quality, lens and image processing decide results, and no comparative image tests were available.
Battery and charging
This is the Redmi’s clearest advantage. Xiaomi UK lists a 7,700mAh typical battery with 45W charging. Nothing lists 5,000mAh and 33W. Real endurance depends on the chip, screen and software tuning, and no measured battery tests were available.
Xiaomi’s regional listings differ:
- UK: 7,700mAh typical. The charger is not in the box. Xiaomi recommends a compatible 45W PD adapter or its own 45W adapter.
- India: 8,000mAh, with an adapter listed in the package.
If you buy the Redmi in the UK, budget for a charger. Nothing’s support page lists box contents too, including a protective case, so check the bundle at your retailer. Xiaomi UK also lists a protective case.
Software and updates
The Nothing runs Nothing OS 3.5 according to its official page. The Redmi runs HyperOS, and Xiaomi Global advertises six years of security updates. The Nothing pages reviewed did not state a comparable update commitment, so you cannot name a winner on support. Check Nothing’s current policy for your region before buying.
Price difference
Prices are the least reliable part of this comparison. Three figures exist, and each has limits:
| Figure | Source and date | Caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing Phone (3a) Lite: £249 (128GB), £279 (256GB) | UK launch prices reported by TechRadar, 30 October 2025 | Historical launch prices, not current offers |
| Nothing Phone (3a) Lite: ₹28,200 | 91mobiles comparison page, labelled as an Amazon price, accessed 5 October 2026 | Indicative only; storage tier and availability not confirmed |
| Redmi Note 17 5G: ₹27,999 | 91mobiles, same page and date | Indicative only; configuration not confirmed to match the Nothing |
The only like-for-like pair is the two 91mobiles figures: roughly ₹201 apart, which is under 1%. That gap is effectively a tie, and it could vanish with a bank offer or a different storage tier. No current UK price for the Redmi was available, so a UK price difference cannot be stated. Compare the same RAM and storage at the same retailer before you decide.
Which one fits you
- Choose the Redmi Note 17 5G if you want the largest screen, the biggest battery and the fastest listed charging, and you accept 6GB RAM in the UK listing.
- Choose the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite if you want 8GB RAM, Nothing OS, or a rear setup with ultra-wide and macro lenses.
These matches follow the spec sheets. They are not claims about tested battery life, camera quality or how the software feels to use.
Quick Recap
Check before you buy
- The exact regional model and its RAM and storage.
- Whether the charger is in the box. Xiaomi’s UK and India listings differ.
- 5G bands and connectivity. Xiaomi warns that network bands may vary by region and operator.
- Warranty terms and the current price from your retailer.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
