Phone (3a) vs 13

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Nothing Phone (3a)

Lifespan decides this one: the Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 at $6.16 per month of safe use, while the 13 runs out in Dec 2027 ($22.19/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Phone (3a) 75 · 13 64 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Nothing Phone (3a) $349

Safe to buy$6.16/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20292031

Xiaomi 13 $400

Buy with care$22.19/mo

2022◆ Buy-by Dec 20252027

Category by category

Display

Phone (3a) 8013 70

The Phone (3a)'s screen is the better one — 6.77-inch amoled, 1080×2392 (fhd+), up to 120hz, 3000 nits peak.

Performance

Phone (3a) 6413 85

The 13's Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is simply the faster chip.

Camera

Phone (3a) 7913 79

Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.

Battery

Phone (3a) 8013 70

5,000mAh vs 4,500mAh — the Phone (3a) lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

Phone (3a) 6713 21

The Phone (3a) is supported until Mar 2031 — 39 months longer than the 13.

Value

Phone (3a) 7513 64

Overall value goes to the Phone (3a) at $6.16 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Phone (3a)	13
Price (street)	$349	$400
Display	6.77-inch AMOLED, 1080×2392 (FHD+), up to 120Hz, 3000 nits peak	6.36-inch AMOLED, 2400 x 1080, 120Hz
Chipset	Snapdragon 7s Gen 3	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM	8GB/12GB	8GB/12GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB/512GB
Battery	5,000 mAh	4,500 mAh
Charging	50W wired, no wireless	67W wired, 50W wireless
Rear cameras	50MP main, 50MP telephoto 2x, 8MP ultra-wide	50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3.2x
Dimensions	163.52 × 77.50 × 8.35 mm	152.8 × 71.5 × 8.0 mm
Weight	201 g	189 g
Water resistance	IP64	IP68
Supported until	Mar 2031	Dec 2027

Phone (3a) full verdict →13 full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.