Nothing Phone 3a & 3a Pro: A Review of Mid-Range Innovation
Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro – Detailed Review
The Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro offer an interesting alternative in the mid-range smartphone market. They stand out through a design that reflects the brand’s distinct style while delivering a quality user experience at an affordable price.
Both models earn praise for their solid build, capable performance, and a few unique features for playing offshore casinos that set them apart from more expensive devices.
Design and Build
The design of the Nothing Phone 3a catches the eye immediately. The blue version boasts a striking colour and a pattern of small glyphs arranged around the camera area. The phone’s split design and repositioned screws give it a neat appearance. A small red square accent is another detail that reinforces the brand’s visual signature.
The 3a Pro follows the same design language, though it comes in a monochrome finish. It also features a larger camera module, sometimes referred to as a camera plateau. This extra bulk on the back proves useful by offering a comfortable spot for resting a finger when holding the device. Both models now use a glass back instead of the plastic found on earlier versions, which lends a more refined feel to the phones. The upgrade from an IP54 rating to IP64 also offers better protection against dust and splashes.
Design Highlights
- Striking blue and understated monochrome finishes
- Consistent glyph pattern and split design
- Glass back for a more refined feel
- Improved dust and splash resistance (IP64)
Display and Performance
Both models feature a 6.77-inch display that uses AMOLED technology. The screen produces clear and bright images, with a typical brightness of 800 nits and a peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits when displaying HDR content. A high refresh rate ensures that interactions such as scrolling and swiping are smooth and responsive. The overall bezel design is balanced, giving the phone a well-proportioned look.
Under the hood, the phones run on a Snapdragon 7S Gen 3 chipset paired with 12GB of RAM. This combination delivers a user experience that feels fluid in everyday tasks. Although the optical fingerprint reader under the display can sometimes respond slowly, this minor issue does not overshadow the overall performance. The chipset selection reflects a focus on value, providing enough power for most tasks without overloading the device with high-end specifications.
Display and Performance Specifications
Software and User Experience
Running on Nothing OS 3.1, which is built on Android 15, the phones receive six years of software updates. This long-term support is a reassuring factor for many users. The operating system features smooth animations that enhance everyday interactions such as swiping between apps, pulling down the notification bar, or expanding a folder on the home screen.
Users are also able to personalise the lock screen by long-pressing the clock. This action allows for the addition of useful widgets, giving quick access to key information. The design of the software, while taking inspiration from other operating systems, retains its own unique touch that users have come to expect.
Camera and Imaging
Photography is a key area where both models share similarities and differences. Each phone has a 50-megapixel main camera. While the image quality is largely similar, the 3a Pro does offer a slightly improved autofocus system. The Pro version also comes with a periscope telephoto lens that provides a 3x zoom compared to the 2x zoom on the standard model.
Both phones also include an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens. In everyday photography, both devices deliver balanced images with a pleasing background blur in close-up shots. Minor issues such as occasional colour fringing or overexposure can appear, but they do not significantly affect overall photo quality.
Camera Features
- 50MP main sensor on both models
- Improved autofocus on the 3a Pro
- Telephoto lens: 2x on the 3a and 3x periscope on the 3a Pro
- 8MP ultra-wide lens common to both
Battery and Charging
Battery performance remains a strong point for the Nothing Phone 3a series. Both phones are equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery that easily supports a full day’s use. Charging is efficient with a 50-watt wired charger, allowing the battery to reach full charge in roughly one hour. Despite this efficient charging method, the lack of wireless charging may disappoint some users who favour that convenience. This omission is likely a trade-off to keep costs and design simple.
Battery and Charging Overview
- Battery capacity: 5,000 mAh
- Charging speed: 50-watt wired charging
- Full charge time: Approximately 1 hour
- Wireless charging: Not available
AI Features
One of the more innovative additions to the Nothing Phone 3a series is the dedicated AI button. This button stands out with its dome shape and strategic placement near the power button, making it hard to miss. A double press of the AI button opens an interface designed to help manage saved content. The feature works in a manner similar to some well-known screenshot tools but with extra functionality.
Holding the button triggers a voice recording that attaches to a screenshot. The voice input is transcribed and can be used to set reminders. Although the feature is still in its early stages and limited to the phone itself, it suggests a direction for future software integration. This small addition could evolve over time, potentially offering a more connected experience across devices.
Overall Value and Market Position
The pricing of the Nothing Phone 3a series makes these devices an attractive option. The standard model starts at £379, while the 3a Pro is available from £459. Despite their lower price, both phones deliver a user experience that compares favourably with more expensive flagships. The strong points include a distinctive design, quality build and reliable performance.
The selection of the Snapdragon 7S Gen 3 chipset, along with the attention paid to software performance and long-term updates, means that the phones do not try to be spec monsters. Instead, they offer a balanced mix of performance and value. This approach has led some observers to speculate on a potential future flagship model. A next-generation phone could include a more powerful chipset, wireless charging and further enhancements in hardware.