Nothing is returning with its clear and minimalist phones—the Nothing Phone 3a and Nothing phone 3a Pro. They are disrupting the midrange market with improved cameras, a fresh AI-driven Essential Space, and a powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor. Do they, though, deliver what they promise? Let’s get to that.
Introduction: What’s New in the 3a Series?
The Nothing Phone 3a line picks up where the brand’s signature clear design left off, now combined with more advanced camera systems, AI capabilities, and better performance. The two phones— Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro—have a lot of similarities but vary in their camera setups and some upper-tier features.
If you want a mid-range smartphone with a sleek, balanced design and innovative software touches, the 3a line could be the ideal choice.
Design & Build: The Transparent Aesthetic
Nothing holds on to its transparent design language, providing a Panda Glass back with the signature Glyph lighting system. The lights can serve as notification indicators, be in sync with music, or even act as a fill light for photographs.
The big addition here is the Essential Key, the button found below the power button. This key provides instant access to Essential Space, a new AI-based organization feature (more details later).
Build Quality & Dimensions
- Phone 3a: 201g, IP64 splash resistance.
- Phone 3a Pro: It is Just a bit heavier (211g) with a more prominent camera bump.
Even with its aluminum frame and glass back, the phone is tough. The IP64 rating guarantees dust and light water resistance, although it isn’t waterproof.
Display: Vibrant, Smooth, and Immersive
The two phones share a 6.77-inch AMOLED LTPS display (1080 x 2392 pixels) with a 120Hz refresh rate to ensure silky-smooth scrolling.
Key Display Features:
- Brightness: 800 nits typical, 3000 nits peak (ideal for outdoor viewing).
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth animations.
- Protection: Panda Glass avoids scratches.
For a midrange phone, the display quality is very good, with deep blacks, rich colors, and good responsiveness.
Performance & Software Experience
Driven by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm), the Phone 3a series promises impeccable multitasking, swift app launches, and streamlined battery usage. Although it cannot match flagship processors, it performs daily tasks and light gaming without any issues.
Hardware Overview:
- RAM & Storage: 8GB/128GB, 12GB/256GB (Pro is available only in 12GB/256GB).
- Operating System: Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15-based).
- Software Updates: 3 years of Android updates & 6 years of security patches.
Nothing OS 3.1: Clean Yet Full-of-Features UI
Nothing. OS 3.1 is superfast, super-clean, and optimized to be highly performing. The UI continues monochromatic, slender, and user-friendly, featuring quirky widgets and effects.
Camera System: Pro Model Makes a Major Jump
The iPhone 3a and 3a Pro each boast three camera modules, but the Pro model offers a telephoto zoom with higher power for clearer photos at zoom range.
Rear Cameras (Both Models):
- Main Camera: 50MP, f/1.88, OIS (excellent for night photography).
- Ultrawide Camera: 8MP, f/2.2, 120° field of view.
Where They Differ:
- Phone 3a: 50MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom.
- Phone 3a Pro: 50MP periscope telephoto with 3x optical zoom (6x lossless zoom).
The 3a Pro’s periscope lens provides sharper faraway shots, making it a better choice for photography enthusiasts.
Front Camera Differences:
- Phone 3a: 32MP selfie camera.
- Phone 3a Pro: 50MP selfie camera for clearer selfies.
Video Recording:
- Both record 4K at 30fps & 1080p at up to 120fps.
- Optical and electronic stabilization reduce camera shake.
All in all, the 3a Pro excels for photography, but the regular 3a is still a great option for everyday users.
Battery Life & Charging: All-Day Power with Fast Charging
Both devices are driven by a 5000mAh battery with all-day battery life.
Charging Speeds:
- 50W wired charging (0–50% in 19 minutes, fully charged in ~56 minutes).
- No wireless charging (a drawback compared to some rivals).
Battery life is durable, surviving a full day of moderate to heavy usage.
Essential Space & Glyph Interface: A New Approach to AI Features
Essential Space: AI-Powered Organization
One of Nothing’s most groundbreaking features is Essential Space, which assists users in organizing digital information.
- Instant Access through Essential Key: Take screenshots, voice notes, or reminders at a moment’s notice.
- AI Analysis: The system automatically organizes notes and screenshots, making them more accessible.
- Task Management: AI creates tasks from user notes.
Although still in the early stages of development, Essential Space may change the way people deal with digital information.
Glyph Lighting System: Beyond Aesthetic
The Glyph interface is still a standout feature, providing:
- Custom notification patterns.
- Timer and countdown indicators.
- Music synchronization for an immersive experience.
Connectivity & Carrier Support
The Phone 3a series supports 5G, 4G LTE, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and USB-C.
But U.S. users have some limitations:
- T-Mobile: Supports full 5G.
- AT&T & Verizon: Users need to whitelist the phone manually to activate 5G.
The U.S. version is only available through Nothing’s developer program, which may restrict access.
Pricing & Availability: Great Value for Money
Nothing has maintained competitive pricing, which makes the 3A series one of the best midrange devices out there.
Pricing: Europe and USA
- Nothing Phone 3a:
- $379 (12GB/256GB)
- Europe: It begins at 329 euros (8GB/128GB) or 379 euros (12GB/256GB).
- Nothing Phone 3a Pro:
$459 (12GB/256GB) Europe: 459 euros
Pricing in India: Affordable Excellence
The Nothing Phone 3a series brings competitive pricing to the Indian market, making it a highly attractive choice for those looking for a midrange smartphone that packs a punch.
For the Nothing Phone 3a, you can choose between:
- 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage: Priced at ₹24,999
- 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage: Priced at ₹26,999
For the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, there are three variants:
- 8GB RAM + 128GB Storage: Priced at ₹29,999
- 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage: Priced at ₹31,999
- 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage: Priced at ₹33,999
Availability:
- Pre-orders for Phone 3a: March 4, 2025 (ships March 11).
- Phone 3a Pro orders: March 11, 2025 (ships March 25).
For a sub-$ 500 phone with a flagship-like design and solid features, this is great value.
Comparison Table: Specs and Key Features
| Feature | Nothing Phone (3a) | Nothing Phone (3a) Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.77-inch AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 |
| RAM | Up to 12 GB | Up to 12 GB |
| Internal Storage | Up to 256 GB | Up to 256 GB |
| Main Camera | 50 MP (f/1.88), OIS | 50 MP (f/1.88), OIS |
| Telephoto Lens | 50 MP, 2x optical zoom | 50 MP periscope, 3x optical zoom |
| Ultra-wide Lens | 8 MP, 120º FOV | 8 MP, 120º FOV |
| Front-facing Camera | 32 MP | 50 MP |
| Advanced Zoom | Up to 60x | Up to 60x |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Fast Charging | 50W | 50W |
| Operating System | Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15) | Nothing OS 3.1 (Android 15) |
| Essential Key and Space | Yes | Yes |
| OS Updates | 3 years | 3 years |
| Security Patches | 6 years | 6 years |
| Price | Starting at $329 | Starting at $459 |
| Pre-orders Begin | March 4 | March 11 |
Through these devices, Nothing has again proved its dedication to providing innovative technology and great value, and thus the Nothing Phone (3a) and (3a) Pro are serious contenders in the mid-range smartphone marketplace.
Pros & Cons: The Final Breakdown
Pros
✔ Premium Transparent Design – The see-through back and Glyph lights stand out.
✔ Smooth Performance – Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 + 120Hz AMOLED gives a perfect experience.
✔ Powerful Cameras – 3a Pro’s 3x periscope zoom provides a significant advantage over other midrange cameras.
✔ Rapid Charging – 50W charging charges 50% in just 19 minutes.
✔ Smart AI Features – Essential Space manages notes and tasks seamlessly.
✔ Affordable Pricing – It offers flagship-like features at midrange pricing.
Cons
✖ Lack of Wireless Charging – A feature some competitors have.
✖ Limitations of U.S. Carrier – Needs whitelisting on AT&T and Verizon for 5G.
✖ Critical Key Location – This can result in accidental presses.
✖ IP64 Rating – It is Waterproof but not fully waterproof (no IP68 rating).
Final Verdict: A Midrange Standout
The Nothing Phone 3a line is more than an aesthetically pleasing device—it has solid performance, excellent cameras, and standout AI features at a value price.
The 3a is a good all-around option, but the 3a Pro boasts a better telephoto camera and 50MP front camera.
If you want a phone that looks premium but remains practical, the Nothing Phone 3a lineup is the perfect option.
Pre-order now, with shipping beginning March 2025. Don’t miss one of the year’s most exciting midrange devices!
Also Read: Top 5 Best Laptops Under 60k (2025)
