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Freedom251 › Blog › Nothing Phone (3a)

Nothing Phone 3a vs Redmi Turbo 5: Key Trade-Offs to Know

By Freedom251 Team · · 4 min read

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The Nothing Phone (3a) and Xiaomi’s India-listed REDMI Turbo 5 make different trade-offs: Nothing offers a dedicated 2x optical telephoto camera, while the Redmi lists a much larger battery and faster charging. Their published prices come from different markets, so they do not establish which phone is cheaper.

Quick comparison

Specification Nothing Phone (3a) REDMI Turbo 5
Market and listed configurations Nothing Europe lists 8GB/128GB and 12GB/256GB versions. [Nothing Europe] Xiaomi India lists 8GB/256GB and 12GB/256GB options. [Xiaomi India store]
Display 6.77-inch FHD+ flexible AMOLED; adaptive refresh up to 120Hz. [Nothing] 1.5K AMOLED; refresh rate up to 120Hz. [Xiaomi India]
Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3. [Nothing] MediaTek Dimensity 8500 Ultra. [Xiaomi India]
Rear cameras 50MP OIS main, 50MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom, and 8MP ultra-wide. [Nothing] 50MP Sony IMX882 main with OIS and 8MP ultra-wide; Xiaomi also lists 4K/60fps video support. [Xiaomi India]
Battery and charging 5,000mAh battery; 50W charging. [Nothing] 7,540mAh battery; 100W HyperCharge and 27W reverse charging. [Xiaomi India]
Published dust and water ratings IP64. [Nothing] IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K. [Xiaomi India]
Software support listed by manufacturer Nothing OS 3.1 based on Android 15; three years of Android updates and six years of security patches. [Nothing] HyperOS 3; four years of Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates. [Xiaomi India]

Which phone has the better display?

Nothing specifies a 6.77-inch FHD+ flexible AMOLED panel with adaptive refresh up to 120Hz. Xiaomi describes the Turbo 5 as having a 1.5K AMOLED display with a refresh rate up to 120Hz. The Nothing panel is explicitly larger by its listed diagonal; Xiaomi’s description gives a higher resolution class. The manufacturer pages cited here do not provide a directly comparable brightness figure, so there is no substantiated brightness winner.

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Which is faster?

The listed chipsets are Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in the Phone (3a) and Dimensity 8500 Ultra in the India-listed Turbo 5. These are manufacturer specifications, not a like-for-like performance result. No independent benchmark or sustained-use testing is available here, so the chipset names alone do not establish which phone will feel faster in demanding games or extended workloads.

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Memory and storage also vary by configuration: Nothing lists 8GB/128GB and 12GB/256GB, while Xiaomi India lists 8GB/256GB and 12GB/256GB. Check the exact local version before comparing prices or buying, since storage differs even at the entry configuration.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Nothing Phone (3) Cell Phone, 5G Unlocked Phones 256GB, Android 15, Snapdragon 8s Gen4, AI Mobile Phones with Four 50MP Cameras & AMOLED Display, 5150mAh, Glyph Interface, Smartphone Black
  • 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.

Camera trade-off: optical zoom or a larger main-camera feature set?

The clearest hardware distinction is the Nothing’s dedicated 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom. It also has a 50MP OIS main camera and an 8MP ultra-wide. Xiaomi lists a 50MP OIS Sony IMX882 main camera and an 8MP ultra-wide, and specifies 4K/60fps video support. Its cited India specifications do not list a dedicated telephoto camera.

That makes the Phone (3a) the more explicitly equipped option for optical 2x zoom. The Redmi’s listed camera setup emphasizes its stabilized main camera and video capability. Megapixel counts do not determine image quality, and the available manufacturer specifications do not establish which phone takes better photos overall.

Battery, charging, and durability

Xiaomi India lists a 7,540mAh battery, 100W wired HyperCharge, and 27W reverse charging for the Turbo 5. Nothing lists 5,000mAh and 50W charging for the Phone (3a). On the published capacities and charging rates, the Redmi has the larger battery and higher charging specification; actual battery life and charging time depend on use and conditions and are not established by these figures alone.

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Rank #2
Google Pixel 10a - 30+ Hours Battery, Camera Coach, Gemini - Obsidian 128GB | Gemini Live, durable design, 7 years of Pixel Drops, 30+ hour battery, Camera Coach, Call Screen, Car Crash Detection
  • Google Pixel 10a is a durable, everyday phone with more[1]; snap brilliant photography on a simple, powerful camera, get 30+ hours out of a full charge[2], and do more with helpful AI like Gemini[3]
  • Unlocked Android phone gives you the flexibility to change carriers and choose your own data plan; it works with Google Fi, Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and other major carriers
  • Pixel 10a is sleek and durable, with a super smooth finish, scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 7i display, and IP68 water and dust protection[4]
  • The Actua display with 3,000-nit peak brightness shows up clear as day, even in direct sunlight[5]
  • Plan, create, and get more done with help from Gemini, your built-in AI assistant[3]; have it screen spam calls while you focus[6]; chat with Gemini to brainstorm your meal plan[7], or bring your ideas to life with Nano Banana[8]

The manufacturer pages list IP64 for Nothing and IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K for Xiaomi India’s Turbo 5. These are published ratings for the respective models and markets, not a guarantee against damage in every exposure or a substitute for checking the applicable warranty terms.

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Software support and included protection

Nothing says the Phone (3a) runs Nothing OS 3.1 based on Android 15 and lists three years of Android updates plus six years of security patches. Xiaomi India’s FAQ lists HyperOS 3, four years of Android OS upgrades, and six years of security updates. These are each manufacturer’s support statements; the stated number of Android upgrades is not directly identical terminology, so check the manufacturer’s policy for update timing and regional applicability.

Nothing’s UK commerce page says the box includes a cable and pre-applied screen protector. Xiaomi India says a protective case is included in the Turbo 5 package. Box contents can vary by market, so confirm the local listing. [Nothing UK product page] [Xiaomi India]

Rank #3
Nothing Ear (3a) Noise Cancelling Earbuds, 45dB Hybrid ANC, 12mm Driver with Hi-Res Audio and Bigger Bass, 6 Mics for Clear Calls & Recording, Dual Connect Bluetooth Earphones for Sport, Travel, Work
  • Transparent Design: Ear (3a) features Nothing's signature technological codes in vibrant new colours. A wider range of ear tips means the buds sit comfortably in everyone's ears, and a new status bar lets you see everything on the case.
  • Hi-Res Audio: Ear (3a) delivers stronger sound with a bigger 12 mm driver. Improved wideband Active Noise Cancellation at up to 45 dB lets you ignore the boring things, and Clear Voice Technology means you sound good on calls. On the Nothing app X, you can boost bass, treble and vocals, or use the advanced 8-band EQ.
  • Wideband Active Noise Cancellation: Nothing Ear (3a) delivers up to 45dB of Active Noise Cancellation. These Bluetooth wireless earbuds recalibrate every millisecond to block a wide range of noise (up to 5000Hz) for clear audio. Switch to Transparency Mode to stay aware of your surroundings without removing the earbuds. Low Latency mode ensures lag-free gaming.
  • Bluetooth 6.0 & Smart AI Features: With Bluetooth 6.0, Ear (3a) stays connected in more places than before. Easy swapping with dual-device connnections compatible with both iOS and Andoid. And with one-touch AI features like ChatGPT and Essential News, you're always ready to go without touching your phone.
  • Audio Snapshot and Call Recording: Audio Snapshot and call recording let you save what you hear directly onto Ear (3a). You can record up to a minute of media or up to two hours of calls and meetings. With the Nothing X app, you can sort and transcribe using AI. With Pro Transcription, you can also identify speakers, get reminders and send quotes to your friends. Note: Call recording is available only in supported countries/regions due to local regulations. For the current list of supported countries/regions, please refer to the Product Description.

What is the price difference?

There is no reliable direct price difference to calculate from the cited listings: Nothing’s Europe page displayed €329 and its UK commerce page displayed £329, while Xiaomi India’s store listing displayed ₹41,999. These are prices in different currencies and markets, and the pages do not establish matching tax treatment, sale status, memory configuration, stock, or a shared pricing date. The Xiaomi amount is a changeable store listing, not a guaranteed current price or launch MSRP.

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For a valid comparison, check the two phones in the same country on the same date, match storage and memory as closely as possible, and compare the final prices with local taxes and discounts applied. The listed prices above are manufacturer-page examples accessed in 2026, not a current quote.

Which one should you choose?

  • Choose the Nothing Phone (3a) if a dedicated 2x optical telephoto camera and the larger explicitly specified 6.77-inch display matter most to you.
  • Consider the REDMI Turbo 5 if the India-market model is available to you and its listed 7,540mAh battery, 100W charging, or higher published IP ratings better fit your priorities.
  • Decide on price only after checking local listings. The available Europe/UK and India prices do not support a fair direct price-gap claim.

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.

Nothing Phone (3a)Phone specificationssmartphone comparisonXiaomi REDMI Turbo 5

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