Smartphone manufacturer Nothing has officially unveiled the Phone (3a) series in India, which includes the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro as its newest mid-range offerings. The Phone (3a) series features the Essential Space and boasts an IP64 rating, ensuring protection against water and dust. These devices are equipped with an enhanced Glyph Interface that includes 26 customizable zones, along with new ringtones and notification sounds. After utilizing the devices for a week, we present our impressions.
Design and display:
The Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro feature 6.7-inch flexible AMOLED screens, offering a resolution of 1,080×2,392 pixels. They are equipped with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, a touch sampling rate of up to 1,000Hz in gaming mode, and a PWM frequency of 2,160Hz. Additionally, these devices can achieve a peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits and are protected by Panda Glass.
The 6.7-inch size offers a spacious canvas, perfect for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. Whether you’re watching videos, playing games, or browsing through apps, the screen offers smooth visuals and impressive brightness levels. With rich color accuracy, the displays provide an immersive experience that is typically expected from higher-end devices.
Brightness levels are commendable as well, ensuring good visibility under direct sunlight, though the exact nits could vary slightly between the Phone 3a and 3a Pro. Both devices seem to prioritize color vibrancy without sacrificing legibility in bright environments.
The vanilla Phone (3a) adopts a horizontal camera layout reminiscent of the Phone (2a). Its back panel has transitioned to glass, replacing the previous polycarbonate, which imparts a more luxurious tactile experience. The frame, while feeling robust, is likely composed of plastic rather than aluminum. It features a matte finish that resists fingerprints and improves grip. The arrangement of buttons remains unchanged, with the volume controls positioned on the left side and the power and essential buttons located on the right.
In contrast, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro has undergone slight design modifications relative to its predecessor. This latest model from the manufacturer presents a boxier and broader silhouette. A prominent, chunky circular camera module stands out, creating a striking contrast with the overall design. The Phone (3a) Pro is equipped with a triple-camera system that is seamlessly integrated into this circular module.
Furthermore, Nothing emphasizes sustainability in the Nothing Phone (3a) series. The aluminum utilized in the central frame is entirely recycled, along with 100% of the tin in six circuit boards and 85% of the steel in the stamped components. Additionally, 60% of the plastic elements are sourced sustainably, and the packaging is completely devoid of plastic.
Camera:
In the camera specifications, the Nothing Phone 3a Pro features a primary rear sensor of 50 megapixels from Samsung, measuring 1/1.56 inches, with an aperture of F/1.88. It includes optical image stabilization (OIS), electronic image stabilization (EIS), and 2x in-sensor zoom capabilities. This is complemented by a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto camera from Sony, which has a size of 1/1.95 inches and an aperture of f/2.55, offering OIS, EIS, 3x optical zoom, 6x in-sensor zoom, and support for 60x digital zoom. Additionally, there is an 8-megapixel ultrawide angle camera with an aperture of f/2.2. The device is also equipped with a 50-megapixel front-facing camera.
Conversely, the Nothing Phone 3a is equipped with a triple rear camera setup that includes the same ultrawide shooter, along with a 50-megapixel main sensor from Samsung, which is 1/1.57 inches in size and has an aperture of f/1.88, featuring OIS and EIS. It also includes a 50-megapixel telephoto sensor from Sony, measuring 1/2.74 inches with an aperture of f/2.0, supporting EIS, 2x optical zoom, 4x in-sensor zoom, and 30x digital zoom. The front camera on this model is a 32-megapixel sensor.
The cameras on the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro are impressive, offering great value for their price. Both devices capture sharp, vibrant photos with excellent color accuracy and good detail, even in low light. Whether you’re taking wide-angle landscape photos or close-up shots, the cameras deliver excellent performance that rivals more expensive smartphones.
Performance:
The Nothing Phone 3a series features a 4nm octa-core Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 system-on-chip, complemented by a maximum of 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. Operating on Android 15, these devices are enhanced with the NothingOS 3.1 interface. The manufacturer has committed to providing three years of operating system upgrades and four years of security updates for these smartphones.
The Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro deliver impressive performance for both daily tasks and gaming. With their powerful processors and ample RAM, these devices handle multitasking smoothly, allowing users to switch between apps without any noticeable lag. Whether you’re browsing, streaming, or using productivity apps, both phones offer a seamless experience. When it comes to gaming, the phones perform admirably, running demanding games with smooth graphics and minimal stutter.
Both the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro are equipped with 5,000mAh batteries that support 50W wired fast charging. According to the manufacturer, these devices can charge from 0 to 50 percent in just 19 minutes and reach a full charge in 56 minutes.
Conclusion:
The price of the Nothing Phone 3a in India commences at Rs. 22,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant, while the 8GB + 256GB model is priced at Rs. 24,999. In certain international markets, a 12GB + 256GB configuration is also available. The device is offered in three color options: Black, Blue, and White.
On the other hand, the Nothing Phone 3a Pro is priced starting at Rs. 27,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant. It is also available with 256GB of storage, with RAM options of 8GB and 12GB, priced at Rs. 29,999 and Rs. 31,999, respectively. This model is available in Black and Grey colors.
Fhe Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro are excellent choices at their respective price points. They offer a well-rounded package with vibrant displays, solid camera performance, and smooth daily usage, including gaming. The design, coupled with impressive specifications, makes them standout options for users seeking value without compromising on quality.
