Nothing Phone (3a) Pro vs. Asus Zenfone 10: A Detailed Comparison

The Asus Zenfone 10 represents a shrinking breed: the truly compact flagship. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro, however, aims to disrupt the mid-range with a focus on design and efficient performance. This comparison pits the Zenfone 10’s raw power against the 3a Pro’s balanced approach, examining which phone delivers the best experience for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro emerges as the stronger all-rounder. Its significantly longer 43:17h battery endurance and brighter 1307 nit display outweigh the Zenfone 10’s superior chipset. However, power users prioritizing peak performance will still find the Zenfone 10 compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names Nothing Phone (3a) Pro Asus Zenfone 10
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, March 042023, June 29
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, March 25Available. Released 2023, July 10
Body
BuildGlass front (Panda Glass), plastic frame, glass backGlass front, aluminum frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm (6.44 x 3.05 x 0.33 in)146.5 x 68.1 x 9.4 mm (5.77 x 2.68 x 0.37 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - India onlyNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight211 g (7.44 oz)172 g (6.07 oz)
Display
ProtectionPanda Glass, Mohs level 5Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2392 pixels (~387 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~445 ppi density)
Size6.77 inches, 111.5 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)5.92 inches, 84.6 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1300 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (HBM), 1100 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 810Adreno 740
OSAndroid 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.1Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, gimbal OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120° (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (periscope telephoto) (15cm - ∞), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS, HDR
Selfie camera
Single50 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1/2.76"32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging50W wired, 50% in 19 min, 100% in 56 min30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC4 15W wireless 5W reverse wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, GrayStarry Blue, Midnight Black, Aurora Green, Eclipse Red, Comet White
ModelsA059PAI2302
Price€ 380.00About 2300 EUR
EU LABEL
Battery43:17h endurance, 1400 cycles-
EnergyClass C-
Free fallClass C (90 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

  • Exceptional battery life (43:17h endurance)
  • Brighter display (1307 nits)
  • Faster wired charging (50W)

  • Less powerful chipset than Zenfone 10
  • Camera specs currently unknown

Asus Zenfone 10

  • Flagship-level performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
  • Compact and pocketable design
  • Wireless charging and reverse wired charging

  • Significantly shorter battery life
  • Dimmer display

Display Comparison

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1307 nits compared to the Zenfone 10’s 807 nits. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the display brightness difference is substantial. The Zenfone 10’s smaller 5.9-inch screen contributes to its compactness, but the 3a Pro’s larger panel offers a more immersive viewing experience. Details regarding panel technology (LTPO, refresh rate) are missing for the 3a Pro, but the brightness advantage is clear.

Camera Comparison

Context data is limited regarding camera specifics beyond the Zenfone 10’s mention of ‘Photo/Video’. Assuming Asus’s typical approach, the Zenfone 10 likely features a more sophisticated camera system with advanced image processing. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro’s camera capabilities are currently unknown, but the focus should be on the main sensor and its ability to capture detail and dynamic range. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult, but the Zenfone 10’s brand reputation suggests a more feature-rich camera experience.

Performance

The Asus Zenfone 10’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (SM8550-AB) is undeniably the more powerful chipset. Its octa-core CPU, featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, provides a significant performance uplift over the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (SM7635). The Zenfone 10’s CPU architecture (Cortex-A715/A710) is a generation ahead of the 3a Pro’s (Cortex-A720/A520). However, the 7s Gen 3’s 4nm process node offers excellent efficiency, and the 3a Pro’s performance will be more than adequate for most tasks. The Zenfone 10 will excel in demanding games and multitasking, while the 3a Pro prioritizes sustained performance and thermal management.

Battery Life

Battery life is where the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro truly shines. Its measured endurance of 43:17h is significantly higher than the Zenfone 10’s 109h (old) endurance rating. The 3a Pro also boasts a strong active use score of 13:37h, slightly exceeding the Zenfone 10’s 13:05h. While the Zenfone 10 offers 30W wired, 15W wireless, and 5W reverse wired charging, the 3a Pro’s 50W wired charging (50% in 19 min, 100% in 56 min) is considerably faster. The 3a Pro’s longer battery life and faster charging make it the clear winner for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro if you prioritize all-day battery life, a vibrant display for media consumption, and a unique design aesthetic. It’s ideal for everyday users, social media enthusiasts, and those who value longevity. Buy the Asus Zenfone 10 if you demand maximum performance in a pocketable form factor, frequently play demanding games, and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging and a more established software ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While not as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the 7s Gen 3 is a capable chipset. Genshin Impact will likely be playable at medium settings with stable frame rates. The 3a Pro’s focus on thermal efficiency should prevent significant throttling during extended gaming sessions, offering a consistent experience.
❓ The Zenfone 10 is known for its compact size. Is it *too* small for users with larger hands?
The Zenfone 10’s 5.9-inch display and overall dimensions are indeed very compact. Users with larger hands may find it challenging to type comfortably or navigate the interface without accidental touches. It’s highly recommended to try holding the device in person before purchasing to assess its ergonomics.
❓ How does the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro's charging speed compare to other phones in its price range?
The 50W wired charging on the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is notably faster than many competitors in the mid-range segment. Reaching 100% in 56 minutes is competitive with phones costing significantly more, offering a convenient charging experience.