Rating—3.5/5
Since its inception in 2020, Nothing has introduced a series of products that challenge conventional design norms. The original Nothing Phone (1), launched in 2022, made headlines with its transparent design. Building upon this foundation, Nothing has recently unveiled the Nothing Phone 3a , a device that promises to deliver premium features at a competitive price point. Launched in India with a starting price of Rs 24,999, the Phone 3a aims to cater to the discerning Indian consumer seeking a blend of style, performance, and affordability. In this review, we'll delve into the design, performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience of the Nothing Phone 3a to determine if it lives up to the brand's growing reputation for innovation and quality.
Nothing Phone 3a design and display
True to Nothing’s signature aesthetic, Nothing Phone 3a retains the transparent back panel, giving a peek into the internals while showcasing the brand’s Glyph Interface—a series of LED strips that light up for notifications, calls, and charging status. It is surely a conversation starter, adding a layer of futuristic appeal without feeling gimmicky.
At 201 grams, the phone has a reassuring weight to it, and the 163.5 x 77.5 x 8.3mm dimensions ensure it fits comfortably in hand without feeling overly bulky. The matte frame adds a premium touch, though it feels a bit slippery in hand. We advise that you use the device with a back cover. Thankfully Nothing offers one inside the box, in case you do not wish to spend extra. The edges are subtly rounded, making the device comfortable to hold for extended use. However, given its IP64 rating, which protects against dust and light splashes, it’s not a phone you’d want to expose to heavy rain or accidental drops in water.
The round camera module houses three sensors, aligned horizontally. LED flash is placed above this camera stripe. Volume controls are on the left, while the Type-C charging port and speakers are at the bottom. The power button is on the right side. Beneath it is the Essential Key. We will talk more about this later.
Flipping to the front, the 6.77-inch AMOLED panel immediately impresses with its Full HD+ resolution (1,080 x 2,392 pixels, 387 PPI). The colors are rich and vibrant, blacks are deep, and the contrast makes content pop. Whether scrolling through social media, watching videos, or gaming, the adaptive refresh rate (60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz) ensures smooth visuals while balancing battery efficiency.
Outdoor visibility is decent, with brightness levels allowing us to read content in sunlight without too much struggle. The Panda Glass protection feels sturdy enough for everyday use, though we’d still recommend a screen protector for added safety. The aspect ratio gives enough screen real estate to enjoy split-screen apps without feeling cramped. The only miss we think is the lack of support for HDR10 or HDR10+ content.
Nothing Phone 3a performance
Nothing Phone 3a runs on Nothing OS 3.1, built on Android 15, and the experience is refreshingly clean. Unlike many manufacturers that overload their devices with custom skins and bloatware, Nothing keeps things minimal and functional. The interface resembles closely to Google’s stock Android design. A key highlight of Nothing OS is its monochrome icon pack, which brings a cohesive and uniform look to system apps. This understated feature plays a significant role in giving the phone its unique visual identity. Also, it may take time to get used to the system app icons at first. But once you are used to them, navigation becomes intuitive. The quick settings menu and system UI feel familiar, with a few Nothing-exclusive tweaks that add to the phone’s personality rather than overwhelming it.
Additionally, 18 custom widgets come preloaded, all following Nothing’s minimal yet stylish design philosophy. These widgets, ranging from clocks to weather and music controls, blend seamlessly with the UI and add a touch of uniqueness. A major new software feature introduced with the Phone 3a is Essential Space, an AI-powered app designed to help users organize their digital lives. Nothing has also included a dedicated Essential Key, a physical button on the side of the device that allows for quick interaction.
A single tap takes a screenshot, which can be instantly annotated. A long press starts a voice memo, automatically transcribed and sorted into categories. A double tap opens Essential Space, where all saved content is stored. While this system has potential, it feels like an early-stage feature. There are accidental presses that can be irritating at times. Voice memo transcription is accurate most of the time but occasionally struggles. With further software updates, this feature could evolve into something far more indispensable.
On to the performance part, Nothing Phone 3a comes powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, which is built on a 4nm process and runs at 2.5GHz. Paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage in either 128GB or 256GB configurations, the phone handles daily tasks smoothly.
The phone is able to handle day to day easily, with no noticeable lag when switching between apps, browsing, or streaming. More demanding tasks, such as gaming, are handled well within reasonable settings. Games with intense graphics require some adjustments for optimal performance, but for casual and moderate gaming, the experience remains smooth. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate enhances the overall fluidity of the phone, making scrolling and animations feel refined.
Nothing promises three years of major Android updates and six years of security patches, a commitment that adds significant value to the phone’s longevity.
Nothing Phone 3a camera
Nothing Phone 3a packs a 50MP primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.5 aperture. The main camera captures crisp, detailed images with rich colors and good dynamic range. Daylight shots are particularly impressive, with well-balanced contrast and natural color reproduction. The software’s image processing leans slightly toward a high-contrast look, which some might find a bit aggressive, but it adds depth and vibrancy to photos without making them look unnatural.
The 8MP ultrawide lens, with an f/2.2 aperture, offers a wider field of view for landscape and group shots. While it’s useful in well-lit conditions, it doesn’t match the level of detail seen in the primary sensor. The edges of ultrawide shots can sometimes appear a bit softer, and there’s noticeable noise in low-light environments.
One of the biggest surprises on Nothing Phone 3a is the 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and electronic image stabilization (EIS). Mid-range phones often include a low-resolution or digital zoom solution, but Nothing has opted for a legitimate telephoto sensor. Zoomed-in shots retain a decent level of detail, making the phone a good option for portrait photography and capturing distant subjects.
For low-light photography, the smartphone comes with a Night Mode that does a good job of brightening scenes without excessive noise. Details can soften in extremely dark conditions, the phone manages to maintain color accuracy better than expected.
The 32MP front camera is more than capable of producing sharp, well-lit selfies. Colors look natural, and the f/2.2 aperture allows for solid background separation in portrait mode. However, since it’s a fixed-focus lens, there’s a slight learning curve in finding the optimal distance for the sharpest results.
Nothing’s camera app follows the brand’s overall minimalist design philosophy. It’s easy to navigate, free from clutter, and offers quick access to essential features. The phone’s AI-assisted scene detection and post-processing do a great job of optimizing shots for most situations.
Nothing Phone 3a battery
On the battery front, the Nothing Phone 3a houses a 5,000mAh battery. The handset offers 50 watt fast charging, an upgrade from the predecessor Phone 2a that came with 45watt. For a casual user, the device can easily last up to 14-15 hours a day. If you throw in gaming and long-hour video streaming, the battery life reduces to 8-9 hours. The Nothing Phone 3a takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to fully charge.
Verdict
Nothing Phone 3a stands out as one of the most well-rounded mid-range smartphones in its price segment. For Rs 24,999, Nothing has crafted a device that delivers a distinctive design, a clean software experience, capable cameras, and solid performance. The transparent back with Glyph lighting ensures it remains visually unique.
Since its inception in 2020, Nothing has introduced a series of products that challenge conventional design norms. The original Nothing Phone (1), launched in 2022, made headlines with its transparent design. Building upon this foundation, Nothing has recently unveiled the Nothing Phone 3a , a device that promises to deliver premium features at a competitive price point. Launched in India with a starting price of Rs 24,999, the Phone 3a aims to cater to the discerning Indian consumer seeking a blend of style, performance, and affordability. In this review, we'll delve into the design, performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience of the Nothing Phone 3a to determine if it lives up to the brand's growing reputation for innovation and quality.
Nothing Phone 3a design and display
True to Nothing’s signature aesthetic, Nothing Phone 3a retains the transparent back panel, giving a peek into the internals while showcasing the brand’s Glyph Interface—a series of LED strips that light up for notifications, calls, and charging status. It is surely a conversation starter, adding a layer of futuristic appeal without feeling gimmicky.
At 201 grams, the phone has a reassuring weight to it, and the 163.5 x 77.5 x 8.3mm dimensions ensure it fits comfortably in hand without feeling overly bulky. The matte frame adds a premium touch, though it feels a bit slippery in hand. We advise that you use the device with a back cover. Thankfully Nothing offers one inside the box, in case you do not wish to spend extra. The edges are subtly rounded, making the device comfortable to hold for extended use. However, given its IP64 rating, which protects against dust and light splashes, it’s not a phone you’d want to expose to heavy rain or accidental drops in water.
The round camera module houses three sensors, aligned horizontally. LED flash is placed above this camera stripe. Volume controls are on the left, while the Type-C charging port and speakers are at the bottom. The power button is on the right side. Beneath it is the Essential Key. We will talk more about this later.
Flipping to the front, the 6.77-inch AMOLED panel immediately impresses with its Full HD+ resolution (1,080 x 2,392 pixels, 387 PPI). The colors are rich and vibrant, blacks are deep, and the contrast makes content pop. Whether scrolling through social media, watching videos, or gaming, the adaptive refresh rate (60Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz) ensures smooth visuals while balancing battery efficiency.
Outdoor visibility is decent, with brightness levels allowing us to read content in sunlight without too much struggle. The Panda Glass protection feels sturdy enough for everyday use, though we’d still recommend a screen protector for added safety. The aspect ratio gives enough screen real estate to enjoy split-screen apps without feeling cramped. The only miss we think is the lack of support for HDR10 or HDR10+ content.
Nothing Phone 3a performance
Nothing Phone 3a runs on Nothing OS 3.1, built on Android 15, and the experience is refreshingly clean. Unlike many manufacturers that overload their devices with custom skins and bloatware, Nothing keeps things minimal and functional. The interface resembles closely to Google’s stock Android design. A key highlight of Nothing OS is its monochrome icon pack, which brings a cohesive and uniform look to system apps. This understated feature plays a significant role in giving the phone its unique visual identity. Also, it may take time to get used to the system app icons at first. But once you are used to them, navigation becomes intuitive. The quick settings menu and system UI feel familiar, with a few Nothing-exclusive tweaks that add to the phone’s personality rather than overwhelming it.
Additionally, 18 custom widgets come preloaded, all following Nothing’s minimal yet stylish design philosophy. These widgets, ranging from clocks to weather and music controls, blend seamlessly with the UI and add a touch of uniqueness. A major new software feature introduced with the Phone 3a is Essential Space, an AI-powered app designed to help users organize their digital lives. Nothing has also included a dedicated Essential Key, a physical button on the side of the device that allows for quick interaction.
A single tap takes a screenshot, which can be instantly annotated. A long press starts a voice memo, automatically transcribed and sorted into categories. A double tap opens Essential Space, where all saved content is stored. While this system has potential, it feels like an early-stage feature. There are accidental presses that can be irritating at times. Voice memo transcription is accurate most of the time but occasionally struggles. With further software updates, this feature could evolve into something far more indispensable.
On to the performance part, Nothing Phone 3a comes powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, which is built on a 4nm process and runs at 2.5GHz. Paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage in either 128GB or 256GB configurations, the phone handles daily tasks smoothly.
The phone is able to handle day to day easily, with no noticeable lag when switching between apps, browsing, or streaming. More demanding tasks, such as gaming, are handled well within reasonable settings. Games with intense graphics require some adjustments for optimal performance, but for casual and moderate gaming, the experience remains smooth. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate enhances the overall fluidity of the phone, making scrolling and animations feel refined.
Nothing promises three years of major Android updates and six years of security patches, a commitment that adds significant value to the phone’s longevity.
Nothing Phone 3a camera
Nothing Phone 3a packs a 50MP primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.5 aperture. The main camera captures crisp, detailed images with rich colors and good dynamic range. Daylight shots are particularly impressive, with well-balanced contrast and natural color reproduction. The software’s image processing leans slightly toward a high-contrast look, which some might find a bit aggressive, but it adds depth and vibrancy to photos without making them look unnatural.
The 8MP ultrawide lens, with an f/2.2 aperture, offers a wider field of view for landscape and group shots. While it’s useful in well-lit conditions, it doesn’t match the level of detail seen in the primary sensor. The edges of ultrawide shots can sometimes appear a bit softer, and there’s noticeable noise in low-light environments.
One of the biggest surprises on Nothing Phone 3a is the 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and electronic image stabilization (EIS). Mid-range phones often include a low-resolution or digital zoom solution, but Nothing has opted for a legitimate telephoto sensor. Zoomed-in shots retain a decent level of detail, making the phone a good option for portrait photography and capturing distant subjects.
For low-light photography, the smartphone comes with a Night Mode that does a good job of brightening scenes without excessive noise. Details can soften in extremely dark conditions, the phone manages to maintain color accuracy better than expected.
The 32MP front camera is more than capable of producing sharp, well-lit selfies. Colors look natural, and the f/2.2 aperture allows for solid background separation in portrait mode. However, since it’s a fixed-focus lens, there’s a slight learning curve in finding the optimal distance for the sharpest results.
Nothing’s camera app follows the brand’s overall minimalist design philosophy. It’s easy to navigate, free from clutter, and offers quick access to essential features. The phone’s AI-assisted scene detection and post-processing do a great job of optimizing shots for most situations.
Nothing Phone 3a battery
On the battery front, the Nothing Phone 3a houses a 5,000mAh battery. The handset offers 50 watt fast charging, an upgrade from the predecessor Phone 2a that came with 45watt. For a casual user, the device can easily last up to 14-15 hours a day. If you throw in gaming and long-hour video streaming, the battery life reduces to 8-9 hours. The Nothing Phone 3a takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to fully charge.
Verdict
Nothing Phone 3a stands out as one of the most well-rounded mid-range smartphones in its price segment. For Rs 24,999, Nothing has crafted a device that delivers a distinctive design, a clean software experience, capable cameras, and solid performance. The transparent back with Glyph lighting ensures it remains visually unique.
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