Nothing Phone 3a/Pro Review: Flagship Features at Mid-Range Prices

In a smartphone market crowded with high-priced flagships, Nothing has taken a refreshingly different approach. The London-based tech company founded by Carl Pei (co-founder of OnePlus) has been steadily building its reputation for delivering distinctive devices at accessible price points.

The latest additions to their lineup—the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro—continue this tradition while raising the bar for what consumers should expect from mid-range smartphones.

During our three-week testing period, both devices consistently impressed with their ability to deliver a near-flagship experience at a fraction of the cost. The standard Phone 3a starts at $379 (£349/€399), while the Pro model comes in at $459 (£429/€479)—roughly a quarter of what you'd pay for today's ultra-premium devices.

But can these affordable alternatives truly satisfy demanding users, or are there inevitable compromises? This comprehensive review explores every aspect of the Nothing Phone 3a series to help you decide if either model deserves a place in your pocket.

Price and Availability

Nothing Phone 3a: https://amzn.to/3D5l1WR

Price:

• Nothing Phone 3a (8GB RAM/128GB storage): $379 / £349 / €399
• Nothing Phone 3a (8GB RAM/256GB storage): $429 / £399 / €449
• Nothing Phone 3a Pro (12GB RAM/256GB storage): $459 / £429 / €479

Both models will be available through Nothing's official website, Amazon, and select carriers including T-Mobile in the US and Vodafone in Europe. Pre-orders begin on September 8 for the standard model and September 15 for the Pro.

Color options:

• Nothing Phone 3a: Black, White, Blue
• Nothing Phone 3a Pro: Black, White

Design and Build Quality

Nothing has established a distinctive design language that makes its devices instantly recognizable, and the Phone 3a series proudly continues this tradition. The transparent back panel with strategically placed glyph lighting has become the brand's signature, and it's been refined further in these new models.

Materials and Construction

The Phone 3a represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor by adopting a glass back rather than plastic—a premium touch rarely found at this price point. Both models feature Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on the front and Gorilla Glass 5 on the back, providing reassuring durability during our drop tests from pocket height (approximately 3 feet).

The frame is made from recycled aluminum that feels solid and cool to the touch. At 189g for the standard model and 193g for the Pro, both phones strike a comfortable balance between substantial feel and manageable weight. For comparison, the Google Pixel 7a weighs 193g, while the Samsung Galaxy A54 comes in at 202g.

Water and Dust Resistance

Nothing has improved the IP rating from IP54 on previous models to IP64 on the Phone 3a series. This means complete protection against dust (6) and improved splash resistance (4). While this falls short of the IP68 rating found on flagship devices, our testing showed that the phones easily survived light rain and kitchen splashes. Just don't take them swimming.

Distinctive Design Elements

The striking blue variant of the Phone 3a particularly stands out with its split design and signature glyphs surrounding the camera module. Nothing has refined these elements with subtle but impactful changes:

• Repositioned screws for cleaner aesthetics
• Refined glyph lighting patterns with more granular control
• Improved tactile feel of the side buttons

The Phone 3a Pro takes a slightly different approach with its more monochromatic palette and significantly larger “camera cliff”—an asymmetrical, raised camera housing that divided opinion among our testing team but ultimately proved functional as a natural finger rest when holding the device.

In a world of increasingly homogeneous smartphone designs, Nothing deserves credit for creating devices with genuine personality that stand out from the crowd.

Display

Both Phone 3a models feature expansive 6.77-inch AMOLED displays with uniform, slim bezels that give them a premium appearance. The screen specifications are impressive for this price category:

Key Display Specifications:

• 6.77-inch LTPO AMOLED panel
• 2772 x 1240 resolution (450 ppi)
• 120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz)
• 3,000 nits peak brightness (HDR content)
• 1,300 nits typical high brightness
• HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support
• 10-bit color depth (1.07 billion colors)

Brightness and Outdoor Visibility

Using a calibrated light meter, we measured peak brightness at 2,850 nits during HDR content playback—slightly below Nothing's claimed 3,000 nits but still remarkable for a mid-range device. In everyday high brightness mode, we recorded 1,250 nits, which proved more than sufficient for outdoor use even in direct sunlight.

While not quite matching the sustained brightness of ultra-premium devices like the iPhone 15 Pro (2,000 nits) or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (2,600 nits), the Phone 3a series actually surpasses them for HDR content viewing—an impressive achievement at this price point.

Color Accuracy and Refresh Rate

In our testing using a DisplayCAL colorimeter, both models demonstrated excellent color accuracy with a Delta E of <2 in the “Natural” display mode (anything below 2 is generally considered excellent). The “Vivid” mode predictably oversaturates colors for a more eye-catching but less accurate presentation.

The adaptive refresh rate technology effectively scales between 1Hz for static content and 120Hz for scrolling and animations, helping to balance smooth performance with battery efficiency. In side-by-side comparisons, the scrolling experience felt just as fluid as on devices costing twice as much.

Under-Display Fingerprint Reader

The under-display optical fingerprint reader works reliably but isn't class-leading in terms of speed. We measured an average unlock time of 0.8 seconds, compared to 0.4-0.6 seconds on flagship devices with ultrasonic sensors. However, this minor delay is unlikely to bother most users in daily use.

Performance

After briefly experimenting with MediaTek processors in previous models, Nothing has returned to Qualcomm silicon for the Phone 3a series. Both models feature the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset paired with 8GB of RAM (standard model) or 12GB (Pro model).

Benchmarks

Our benchmark testing revealed solid mid-range performance that handles everyday tasks with ease:

While the Phone 3a series doesn't top the benchmark charts compared to devices using the more powerful Snapdragon 8 series or Google Tensor G2 chips, synthetic benchmarks don't tell the whole story.

Real-World Performance

In day-to-day use, both Phone 3a models feel remarkably responsive thanks to well-optimized software and thoughtful animation tuning. Common tasks such as app switching, scrolling through social media feeds, and navigating the interface are consistently smooth and lag-free.

The standard 8GB RAM configuration proved sufficient for multitasking between several apps, though the Pro model's 12GB offers more headroom for keeping numerous apps active in memory. We noticed that the standard model would occasionally need to reload apps when switching between more than 8-10 applications, while the Pro could maintain more in active memory.

Gaming Performance

For casual gaming, both models perform admirably. Titles like “Alto's Odyssey,” “Call of Duty Mobile” (at medium settings), and “Asphalt 9” run smoothly without noticeable frame drops. More demanding games like “Genshin Impact” require reduced graphics settings to maintain playable frame rates—running best at medium settings with some occasional stuttering during intense scenes.

After 30 minutes of continuous gaming, we measured surface temperatures of 38°C (100.4°F) on the standard model and 37°C (98.6°F) on the Pro, indicating effective thermal management that prevents uncomfortable heat buildup.

Software

Both Phone 3a models run Nothing OS 3.1 based on Android 15, offering a refreshingly clean experience with thoughtful customizations that enhance rather than overwhelm the core Android experience.

Software Features

Nothing OS strikes an excellent balance between stock Android's simplicity and meaningful feature additions:

• Clean interface with distinctive dot-matrix font and monochrome aesthetic
• Glyph interface for visual notifications and status indicators
• AI Essential Space for organizing screenshots and voice notes
• Widget system with unique monochromatic design options
• Custom Quick Settings with expanded functionality
• Advanced customization options for icons, animations, and system elements

Software Updates

Nothing promises an impressive update schedule for the Phone 3a series:

• 3 years of major Android upgrades (through Android 18)
• 6 years of security updates (through 2029)

This level of long-term support exceeds many competitors in the mid-range segment and adds significant value to the devices.

AI Features

While many manufacturers have embraced AI features with varying degrees of usefulness, Nothing has taken a more measured approach. The standout AI feature is the “Essential Space,” accessed via a dedicated button, which serves as a repository for screenshots and voice notes with intelligent organization capabilities.

Each saved item can be revisited for reference or used to set reminders, creating a practical productivity tool rather than flashy but limited AI gimmicks. During our testing period, this feature proved genuinely useful for capturing and organizing information.

Battery Life

Both the Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro pack substantial 5,000mAh batteries—a capacity typically associated with larger, premium devices. This generous battery capacity, combined with efficient components and software optimization, delivers impressive longevity.

Battery Life Testing

Our standardized battery test includes a mix of typical daily usage patterns: social media browsing, video streaming, web browsing, camera use, and light gaming. Here's how the Phone 3a series performed:

*SOT = Screen-on time in a single day

Both models comfortably last through a full day of heavy use, with enough power left for the next morning. For moderate users, you can expect to charge every other day—an increasingly rare achievement in modern smartphones.

The Pro model showed slightly lower battery life despite having the same capacity battery, likely due to the additional power requirements of its more advanced camera system.

Charging Capabilities

The Phone 3a series supports 50W wired charging via the USB-C port, with the appropriate power adapter included in the box—another rarity in today's market. Our testing confirmed Nothing's claim of reaching a full charge in approximately 60 minutes:

One notable omission is wireless charging—a feature found on some competitors like the Google Pixel 7a. While this may disappoint some users, the fast wired charging helps mitigate this limitation.

Camera System

The camera system represents the most significant difference between the standard Phone 3a and the Pro model. Both offer capable photography experiences, but the Pro justifies its higher price with notable hardware upgrades.

Camera Specifications

Nothing Phone 3a:

• Main: 50MP Sony IMX906, f/1.8, OIS, 1/1.55″ sensor
• Ultrawide: 50MP Samsung JN1, f/2.2, 114° FOV
• Telephoto: 32MP Sony IMX702, f/2.2, 2x optical zoom
• Selfie: 32MP Sony IMX615, f/2.0

Nothing Phone 3a Pro:

• Main: 50MP Sony IMX906, f/1.8, OIS, 1/1.55″ sensor
• Ultrawide: 50MP Samsung JN1, f/2.2, 114° FOV
• Telephoto: 32MP Sony IMX702, f/2.2, 3x periscope optical zoom
• Selfie: 50MP Sony IMX615, f/2.0

Camera Performance

Main Camera: Both models share the same primary sensor, which captures detailed 12.5MP pixel-binned photos with good dynamic range and accurate colors. In good lighting, results approach those from much more expensive devices. Low-light performance is solid though not class-leading, with visible noise reduction in challenging lighting.

Ultrawide Camera: The ultrawide performs admirably in good lighting, maintaining consistent color science with the main camera. There's minimal distortion at the edges thanks to effective computational correction. Detail preservation isn't quite as impressive as the main sensor, particularly in lower light.

Telephoto Camera: This is where the Pro earns its name. The standard Phone 3a offers a decent 2x optical zoom, but the Pro's 3x periscope telephoto delivers noticeably better results at medium zoom ranges (3x-5x). At 10x digital zoom, neither model produces particularly usable results compared to flagship devices with dedicated periscope lenses.

Selfie Camera: The Pro's higher-resolution selfie camera captures more detail, particularly in challenging lighting. Both models offer good skin tone reproduction and effective portrait mode edge detection for background blur.

Video Recording

Both models offer 4K video recording at 30fps from all cameras, with the main camera also supporting 4K at 60fps. Video quality is good but not outstanding, with effective electronic image stabilization that helps produce steady footage during walking. Audio recording is clear thanks to stereo microphones with good wind noise reduction.

Audio Quality

The Phone 3a series features stereo speakers that deliver respectable audio performance. The earpiece doubles as the secondary speaker, creating a balanced stereo effect in landscape orientation.

In our testing, maximum volume reached 85dB, which is loud enough for casual listening in most environments. Sound quality is clear with good vocal clarity, though bass response is predictably limited given the physical constraints of smartphone speakers.

Both models retain the increasingly rare 3.5mm headphone jack—a welcome feature for those with wired headphones or audiophile tendencies. Bluetooth audio quality is excellent with support for aptX HD, LDAC, and AAC codecs.

Connectivity and Call Quality

The Phone 3a series offers comprehensive connectivity options:

• 5G (sub-6GHz, no mmWave)
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
• Bluetooth 5.3
• NFC for contactless payments
• GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou positioning

Call quality during our testing was consistently clear, with effective noise cancellation that filtered out background sounds during conversations. Signal retention was on par with other devices in the same price range, maintaining connection in challenging areas like elevators and underground parking garages.

Should You Buy the Nothing Phone 3a?

After three weeks of testing, the Nothing Phone 3a series emerges as one of the strongest mid-range offerings of 2025. Here's our buying advice based on different user needs:

Buy the Nothing Phone 3a if:

• You want flagship-like design and performance for under $400
• Display quality and battery life are high priorities
• You appreciate unique design elements
• You don't need wireless charging
• You want long-term software support

Buy the Nothing Phone 3a Pro if:

• Photography is important, particularly zoom capability
• You multitask heavily and need the extra RAM
• You take many selfies and appreciate the higher resolution front camera
• You can stretch your budget by $80 for the camera improvements

Consider alternatives if:

• Wireless charging is essential to your workflow
• You need the absolute fastest performance for intensive gaming
• IP68 water resistance is necessary for your lifestyle
• You prefer a more conventional smartphone design

For most users, the standard Phone 3a represents better value, delivering approximately 90% of the Pro experience at a lower price point.

Verdict

The Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro prove that mid-range smartphones don't need to be boring or compromised. Through thoughtful design choices and strategic component selection, Nothing has created devices that genuinely challenge the notion that you need to spend $1,000+ for a premium smartphone experience.

Both models deliver exceptional value with standout features including excellent displays, solid performance, distinctive design, clean software, and long battery life. The standard Phone 3a earns our Editor's Choice award for striking the perfect balance between affordability and premium features, while the Pro model offers worthwhile upgrades for photography enthusiasts.

In a market where innovation often seems reserved for the highest price tiers, Nothing's approach is refreshingly democratic. The Phone 3a series sets a new standard for what consumers should expect from devices in this price range.

Nothing Phone 3a: 9/10 Nothing Phone 3a Pro: 8.5/10

Pros:

• Distinctive, premium design
• Excellent display quality
• Clean, bloat-free software
• Outstanding battery life
• Strong update commitment
• Good camera performance for the price
• Includes 3.5mm headphone jack

Cons:

• No wireless charging
• Limited IP64 water resistance
• Gaming performance adequate but not exceptional
• Fingerprint reader slightly slower than flagships

FAQs

Q: Does the Nothing Phone 3a support expandable storage? A: No, neither model offers a microSD card slot for expandable storage.

Q: How does the glyph lighting system work? A: The glyph lights on the back can be customized to flash in different patterns for notifications, calls, and charging status. They can also function as a fill light when taking photos.

Q: Is there a charger in the box? A: Yes, both models include a 50W USB-C charger in the box.

Q: Does the Nothing Phone 3a support eSIM? A: Yes, both models support dual SIM functionality through either two physical SIMs or one physical SIM and one eSIM.

Q: What accessories are available for the Nothing Phone 3a? A: Nothing offers several first-party accessories including a clear case, screen protector, and their Nothing Ear (2) wireless earbuds that integrate specially with the phones.

Our review is based on three weeks of testing with retail units of the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro. Nothing provided the devices but had no input on the content of this review.

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